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Collection: Books and Periodicals > Mining & Scientific Press

Volume 24 (1872) (424 pages)

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140 SCIENTIFIC PRESS) {March 2, 1872. Wastage of the Precious Metals—No. 3. BY ALMARIN B. PAUL, [Written for the Press.] Montana. “The trouhls sssms to hs the gold is so impalpshly fins that they loss a very considsrable percentage by imperfect manipulations,” says ons. “T hsvs nsver saved more thsn $20 per ton and the ors assays about $50,” says another. Extend tests as far s8s you may, on a smaller. or larger scale, and wastags stsres ons hadly in the face at every turn, I mads a tsst of 50 pounds of tailings for a party who took them a mile above his mill aud the rsturn was 55 per cent, of what was his average workirg. I also msdea test of three-fourths of a ton, and the result showed ths loss in ths mill-working to he 63 psrcent. Icould write every column of your paper full, corrohorative of ths fact of the enormous loss in the milling of our gold ores. But these given should be as convincing as more; and I hope enough so, to awaken a desire for investigation at least. From what attention I have givsn the subjsct in actual lahor, as well as collecting all the data attainable from others, I know that the loss as a whole is fully 50 per cent., and, in the majority of mills, all of 60 per cent, of what the ore contains. I can now ask: Is it not time we were heginning to consider this question of the wastage of the precious metals? It is this that produces so many failures, such utter lost of capital. Investments are made in mining on assays of well sampled ores of the mines, hut not until machinery is running, do they realize the fact that only a small percentage of the metal is saved, and a failure too often is inevitable, Among the evils of mining may be enumerated, at times, toomuch science and too little practice;then again conceited practice and no scisnes. Science is esssntial, practice equally so; strictly, scientific mining may be denomiuated, science doing nothing; practical mining, science doing something; practical-scientific mining—the grand requisite—is a correct conception of cause and effect—the scientific analyzation of difficulties and the practically overcoming them. But to my subject, There are a numher of institutions in California that have proved grand successes. They have been exceedingly fortunate, hut their success may he attributed to having ores of high value, not to gaining a high percentage of the metal, For take California mills, and the first class are all on a par in wastefulness, while the poor are not to he considered at all. My tests are from the best, and JI leave the reader to fancy what the poorer ones may be. California in twenty-one years has produced over $800,000,000, and wasted $1,000,000,000 more !! Forthe wastage in ‘“‘sluicing” is greater than that in quartz mining. The Sacramento river in ages to come, and when it shall he upheaved as were the Sierra Nevada, will gladden the heart of some straggling miner with an auriferofs stratum, the wealth of which will throw all histories of-Potosi’s, Comstock’s, and Del Rey’s comhined, into the shade. To remedy the evil, more care must hs taken, The fact is, we are too much of a rushing, reckless people; we have not got sohered down yet; and I dont know as we ever will. It’s rush, rush, and make too little solid, permanent, profitable headwsy. We have oceans of wealth surrounding us, and ought to be ths most opulent, refined and wealthy land on earth,—the load-stone for God's creation. But how is it, and why is it, that we are not? ‘When one examines into the mining interssts of the world and analyzes gold, its fineness asa metal, and then the science which has maintained the general system in vogue for gold more especially, and see how many, many years, all have gone along with one so reckless and wasteful he almost hlushes for the science and mechanical skill of the day, for a greater absurdity cannot exist than the rough, coarse way of dealing with so delicate ‘and valuahle a metal as gold; the general treatment hsing not to catch it hut to run it off. It seems to me, men go mors on what somehody else has done than their own analytical powers. From data of loss, given in my last article, we must come to the conclusiou that gold mining, not only in California, but elsewhere on the Pacific slope, as all are operating on about the same system, is unquestionably behiud all other hranches of industry in perfectness, and certainly not up to the point it should be, In fact, so imperfect is it, that our gold mining enterprises, as a whole, may be set down as a failure, when ths question of profit in all is considered, Jf ib can he considered highly successful in this gsnsral sense, ought we not now to hs teeming with prosperity? That soms chsngs should bs brought ahout, must hs evident to all. What that changs will bs or should he, each must determine for himself. In ordsr to better ths interest, all operators should give their attention to incressing the percsntags of yisld without a correspondiug increass of expenditurs. hers is a hensfit, however, in producing mors,evsn with an equal sxpenditurs, ag it gives an additional amount of metal for circulstion, and requires an equivalent of lahor. But this idea, although correct, is an ‘anpopulsr one; it does not helong to ths selfish spirit of the ags, for without a profit on lahor, it is not wanted. This agsis for profit, not good, unless the ‘“‘ good” makes the profit. Ons step in advance would hs,—taking more care. There is too much slashing ahout in our gold mining. Thers is snough in silver, but no comparison hstwesn the working of the two metals. This plan of seeing how much can hs pounded up and rushed through every 24 hours, is a false, wasteful and ruinous system, The profit will he found in how well and how cheap it can be done. Itisin the right direction certainly to reduce ores expeditiously and cheaply, but not to as expeditiously wash everything away, having an eye more to pounding up the rock, than to taking up the metal. The following slip, clipped from the Press, to my mind, tells quite a long story in itself: ‘‘Here is a40-stamp mill, that pulverizes its 250 tons weekly, employing 40 to100 men. The ledge averages five feet thick. The Montezuma, too, is located here; hut for reasons hest known tothe company, they have permitted their 20 stamps and a good mine to remain idle for the last two years.” Forty to a hundred men gutting a mine, torun how much down stream? I know ssveral similar institutions which work from ‘‘40 to 100 men,” and at the end of the month the owners do not have one dollar for themselves; whereas Isss expense, less rush, and more metal saved, could turn the scale often from loss to profit, and ‘‘20-stamp mills with good mines” need not he idle, I contend that ore can he reduced, held under control for manipulation, and metal amalgaiaated as cheaply as this uncontrollable sluicing system so universal in California. That our gold oresare soreadily amalgamated, is one of the ruinous ideas extent, The majority of California miners are, in fact, hut little experienced in all the troublesome accompaniments of even gold ores, considering that if the rock does not pay, that it cannot certainly contain it. All, however, admit it to be difficult to extract the gold from iron sulphursts, forgetting that evena small percentage of lead, copper, arsenic or antimony which isto he found in nearly all the gold ores of California, vitiates the mercury in a little while, rendering it quite inefficient in collecting even the gold that otherwise from gravity might betaken up. We hear great accounts of ths value of ores from all parts; hut do they prove up their asssrtions hy the product per ton? One of your correspondents, only a week or so ago, stated in his communications that ‘we must have improved machinery or abandon this in use.’ He had heen investigating the matter, It is too universalto consider that it is only necessary to rig up a set of stamps, apply the power, and let them rip away smashing rocks, to wash the sands off, forgetting that it is equally as patent to wash off the smaller particles of gold. [To he continued.] Rainfall at Sacramento. [By T. M.Locan, M.D., Secretary State Boardof Health.} Jan. 1, 1872, Rainfall for the season to date. oak ve inches Jan., 1872. Rainfall for the mont. ai 0 inches Feb, 1872. Rainfall up to 25th. Hy inches Total for the season up to date....-+.000.-20.501 inches RemARxS.—Fehbruary has this season proved a wet month, and the rainfall is now plus the average for the entire season. Norain fell from the 12th te the end of January, except a mere sprinkle on the 23d; so thatit would seem the usual interval hetween the former and the latter rains has this season occurred dnring the latter half of January, and not in February, as is the niost general rule. ee ——————— ComPrimeNnTaRry.—From F.C. Johnson, VicePresident Indiana State Horticultural Society, we have received ths Annual Report of said Society. From Jay Cook & Co., maps and documents pertaining to the route, resources, progress and business of the “‘New North West” and its great thoroughfare, ths Northern Pacitic Railroad, Az Shasta the total rainfall for the season, to Feb, 27, foots up 90.27 inches, Dr. SaerMan’s RELIABILITY.—We are continually recelving letters of inquiry ahout Dr. Shermen, end his reliability in the specielty of treating snd curing rupe, Ahout two years since, a gentlemen showed us a photograph of hls taken hefore he placed himself under the careof Dr, Sherman for rupture. This wes 2 few months after treetment. The differencs hetween the man when the picture wes teken end the time when we sew him, wes wonderful. He then considered himself cured, and geve thecredit to Dr. Sherman. In vicw of this circumstance, snd what we had previously heard,
as a metter of interest to those of our rcaders who might be afflicted in s similar wey, we indorsed Dr. Shcrman. In order to remove every douht, and to make sure thet no wrong should he done to any one, one of the associete editors of this paper dcvyoted an entire day to the investigation of Dr. Sherman’s system of treatmeut of his petients. The resnit of this investigation confirms thc truthfulness of our indorsement. Many prominent gentlemen in this city tell us they tried other parties without heing henefitted, then placed themselves under Dr, Sherman’s treatment and were cured. Perhaps we may express the strongest conviction of our assurance of his success, hy steting that if we should ever he affiicted as others were, who have been treated hy him, we should go tohim for treatment, with every reason to helieve thet he would effect a cure. Further than this, NO man can say.—Pomeroy’s Democrat, N. ¥. Mining Companies Should advertise their Meetings, Assessments, and Sales, in the Scir*Tiric PREss. tes more than one-half less than daily publications. Stookholders ehould take the hint and request their managers to truly economize hy advertising ina MINING JOURNAL, where all notices ma; be seen by cheaply purchasing and examining a weekly. will thus save money and uphold a journal which aahalaa your interests. FOR 25 CENTS we will send, postpaid, four sample coples (recent numbers) of the Press. This, we helieve, will inducs many to suhscribe who have not yet read our paper. Itiaachsap and valushls favor to s8nd a friend anywhere. ContTrnEntaL Life Insnrance Co., 302 Montgomery street, corner of Pine, Lapies DESIRING TO PRoouRE 4 First-Ciass SEWING Machine against easy monthly instellments may apply to No. 294 Bowery, 157 E. 26th, 477 9th Ave., New York Good work at high prices if desired. 21v1-12mbp $5 ro $20 prR Day anp No Risk.—Do you want a situatlon e8 selesman at or near home to Introducs our now 7-strand White Wire Clothes Lines, to last forever. Don’t miss this chance. Sample Free, Address Hudson River Wire Works, 75 William street, N. Y., or 1 Dsarhorn street, Chicago, 111. 23v1-12mbp The Evangel, Offics, 414 Clay strset, San Fran. elsco. Ternis, $4 per year, in advance. THE EvanGen is the orgen of the Baptist Denomination for the Pecific States and Territories. All efforts on the pert of hrethren and friends to extend its circulation will be gratefully appreclated. $3, for one ycar’s subscziption, will be reccived from new subscribers, strictly in ad. vencs. Address ‘’ Evangel, San Francisco, Cal.” Sample copies furnished free. 4v3-lamhptf UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.—The Preparatory Departsent is under the charge of five Professors of the University, and six tutors. Besides the studies of the pnhilc schools, Algebra, Geomciry, Latin, Greek, German, French, Spenish and Book-Keeping are taught. Terms: Boerd and tuition, 4 weeks, $30. Students re. ceived atany time. GEongE Tarr, Oakland, Master Fifth Class, sedbpti Mechanics’ Institute.—Entrance 27 Post street, (het. Kearny aud Montgomery), San Francisco. The Library of Reference, the Library, Reading Room and Chess Roomars open from 8 a.m. until] 10 p.m. every dey, (except Sundays and Legal Holidays). The Society possesses a Library of 18,000 yvolumes— the most valuable technical and scientific library on the Coast, embracing the transections of the leadlng Scien: tific Societies of the United States and Europe, (among which are the philosophical transections of the Royni Society of Greut Britain, complete), snd the standard, scientific end technical works; and is ln immediete receipt of all new standards publications. The Reeding Room is supplied with the current periodicals and newspapers of the day, Ths Mechanics’ Instltute is open to all, and ths Trustees wll bs pleascd to have visitors and others in spect ths Rooms, Entrance Fee, $1.00.Spey Dues (in advances) $1.50. Lifts Membership, $50. RICHARD H. BUEL, ponsuling Mechanical for feb 7 Warren St., New York.— Professor ‘Thorston, of the ee Institute of himself with me in consultariao an atte of special importance. 1 have enjoye: ag an officecrin the U.S. Navy, in Anon service afloat, as Principal Assistant to the Chief Engioeer of the Norfolk Navy Yard, and as Raa Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy at the U. 8. Naval Academy. I havealso heen engaged inthe management, erection and repairs of sawmills and other machinery in the South; as Principal Assistant EnGeen of the Tehuantepec and *Nicaregua Surveying Expeition, and as Professor of Mathematics, ad interim,at the Stevens Institute of Technol logy. 1 have at command a large and varied assortment of imstruments nsed in testing engines, boilers and other machinery. Machinery of all kinds bought andsold. Advice and assistance givemto those who desire to invest funds in meritorious and-valuable Patent Rights. Special attention will he given to expert jean & in legal cases. 1 have permission to refer to anumer of gentlemen well known in professional circles. 1t DOCTOR J. A. SHERMAN, ARTISTIO SURGEON, OF 697 BROADWAY, NEW York, resp ull: to the r of San Francisco and vicinity, that he has ‘aun a suit of offices at 240 Montgomery St., cor. of Pine, Where he may he consulted for a limited period by those dcsirous of ohteining the hcnefit of his experience and assistance in the adaptation of hls method for the radical cure of Hernia, without regard to the age of tha patient or duretion of the affliction. Photographs of bed cases of . RUPTURE Befors and after treetment and cure, can be seen at his offics. Descrlptive pamphlets mailed to any eddress on receipt of ten cents. 9v23-3m. THE BEST PERIODICALS OF THE DAY. THE GREAT ENGLISH QUARTERLIES Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, is REPRINTED RY The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, 140 Fulton Street, New York, . At about one-third the price of the originals. THE EDINBURGH REVIEW, THE WESTMINSTER REVI HE Le ON QUAR TERLY REVIEW. RITISH QUARTERLY REVIEW, Published Quarter ane April, July, October— AND Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, (A fac-simile of the original}. Published Monthly. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION: For eny one Review.. cn 2 Ton per annum. For Blackwood and three Reviews For Blackweod and the four Revie 00 Postage, two cents a numher, to he aeepara by ths quarter at the office of delivery. CLUBS. A discount of 20 per cent. will be allowed to clubs of four or more persons. Thus: four copies of Blackwood or of one Review will be sent to one address for $12.80; four copies of the four Reviews and Blackwood for $48, end 50 on. To cluhs of ten or m®re, in eddition to the above discount, a copy gratis will bs allowed to the getter-up of ths club. PREMIUMS, New subscribers for the year 1872 may have, without charge, ths numher for the last quarter of 187] of such periodicals as they may subscrihe for. Or instead of the shove, new subscrihers to any two, three, or four of ths above periodicals, mey have, as premium, one of the * Four Reviews’ for 1871; suhscrihers to all five mey havs two of the ’ Four Revicws’ for 1871. Neither premiums to subscribers nor discount to cluhs ean be allowed unless the money is remitted dlrece to ths publishers. No preminms can be given to cluhs. To secure premiums, it will he necessary to maks early application, es the stock avaiable for that purpose is limited. Circulers with further particulars mey be had on application, THE LEONARD SCOTT PUBLISHING CO., 140 Fulton street, New York. THE LEONARD SCOTT PUBLISHING CO. also publish THE FARWNIER’S CUIDE To Scientific and Practical Agriculture, By Henny Sterxens, F. R. §., Edinburgh, and the lats J. P. Norton, Professor of Scientific Agriculturs in Yale College. New Haven. Two vols, Royal Octavo, 1600 pages and numerous engravings. Price, $7; by mail, post paid, $8. Sv2dsa Phelps’ Patent Animal Trap, FOR GOPHERS, SQIRRELS, RATS, CAYOTES, and other © Varmints.” This Trap, as may bs secn, is of simpls construction 8nd uot likely to get out of order, and very dursbls. It is Very Efficient and can be used convenieutly by women or children. THE CHEAPEST AND BEST YET INVENTED. Price 50 cents. By mail, prepaid (to pleces where express chargcs ars hich), $1]. A liberal discount to clnbs or dealers who hny by the dozen. Address tho Inventor and menufacturer, al-ly-awbp San Leendro, Alameda County, ’ Cal, “BRYANT & STRATTON SINESS GOLL 2u POST sp é 5) SAN FRANCIS Is THE LEADING COMMERCIAL SCA00L OF THE Pacific. It educates thoroughly for husiness. Its course of Insiruction is valuahle to persons of both sexes and of any age, Academic Department for those net preparcd for husiness course. Open dey and evening throughout the yeer. Students can commence et any time. Full psrticulers may he had at the College Office, 24 Post strect, or by sending for Heanp’s CorLEGE JOURNAL. Address E. P. HEALD, President Business College, San Franclsco, 3v3-sowbp FREEMAN'S GRAIN SEPARATOR. THE BEST PATENT SEPARATOR M. I will guar. antee it to Ex. cel any other Machine extent in separeting Grain froni all kinds of Foreign “See Sccds. It will . separate pcr. fectly the different qualities of Grains, producing pure Seed. Itisin every way a Practical and Successful California Machine. It as proven successful over all other Machines ou trial, end has taken two First Premimns at the Petaluma Fair, Machines and State and County Rights for sele by W. D. FREEMAN, Tomales, Marin county,Cal. Send for Oirculars, P.S.—The right to uss my superior Patent Pod Screen will he sold at reagonabls prices to owners of Threshers. 4y3-2m-eowhp