Volume 35 (1877) (426 pages)

MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS {July 7, 1877. W, B. EWER Sexton Epiror. DEWEY & CO., Publishers, 4. T. DEWEY, GEO, 1. STRONG. W. B, EWER, JNO, L. BOONE, Office, No. 224 Sansome Street, 5. E, Corner of California Street, San Francisco. Subscription and Advertising Rates: Apvertisina Rates. lweek. 1 month. 3mos. 12 mos. Per line...++5+ 25 +80 3 2.00 % 5.00 Half inch (1 square). $1.00 $3.00 7.50 24.00 One inch. cee. 1.50 4.00 12.00 40,00 Large advertisements at favorable rates. Special or reading notices, legal advertisements, notices appearing in extraordinary type or in particular parts of the paper, inserted at special rates. Four insertions are rated in a month. _ Supscripnoy 1x Apyance—Postage paid—one year, $4; six months, $2.25; three months, $1.25. Remittances by registered letters or P. 0 orders at our risk. Wnirz for the Minine AND ScientiFic Press. We invite not only professional meu, but practical miners and mechanies to contribute to our columns. All communications will be kindly treated. Authors, as well as readers, will be benefited by corresponding. ApprEss all letters to the firm, and not to individual members, or others, who may at any time be absent. Our latest forms go to press on Thursday evening. SAN FRANCISCO: Saturday Morning, July 7, 1877. TABLE OF CONTENTS. GENERAL EDITORIALS.—Calculating Machines; Mining in Amador; Academy of Sciences, 1; The Silver Mud Springs of Qicgon; Pavement of Sluices; Closing Down of a Famous Mine, 8; The Twelfth Industrial Exhibition; Compound Mining Pump; Cost of Production at the Mount Diablo Coal Mines, 9; Notices of Recent Patents, 12. ’ ILLUSTRATIONS.—Grant’s Calculating Machine, 1. Mechanics’ Institute Medal for 1877; Compound Double Plunger Pump for Mines, 9. CORKESPONDENCE.—From Monterey, 12. MECHANICAL PROGRESS.—The Iron Industry in 1876; A New Electric Motor; A New Steam Crane; Nickel Plating; Inclined Plane Railway; Making Marble From Slute; Cotton Seed as Boiler Felting, 3. SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS.—Spontaneous Generation; Deep Sea Life; A Discovery; Wonders Under Water; Obtaining Light by Burning Quartz; Geological; New Spectroscope; Toughened Glass in the German Amy, 3. MINING STOCK MARKET.—Suales at the San Francisco, Pacifie and California Stuck Boards; Notices of Assessments, Meetings and Dividends; Review of the Stock Market for the Week, 4. MINING SUMMARY—From the Various Counties of California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico and Oregon, 5-12. THE BNGINEER.—A New Transandine Railway; Proposed Narrow Gauge; The Jetties; Moving Cleopatra's Needle; Splicing Wires for Bridge Cables; Two New Bridges at Rotterdam, 6. USEFUL INFORMATION.—The Science of Floor Serubbing; Lead Turning with Tin Lining; To Counteract the Dampness of Wails; Gun Cotton; The Trade in Human Hair; Asparagus Paper, 7. GOOD HEALTH.—Danger in Self Dosing; Longévity of the Israelites; Danger in Vinegar; Wedding Journeys; A. Surfeit; To Avoid Sleeplessness, ‘7. GENERAL NEWS ITEMS on page 12 and other ages. MISCELLANEOUS.—English Lead Mines; American Locomotives in England; Separating Nickel from Ores Containing Iron; New Mexico Mines; Distilled Water for Marine Boilers, 2. Mining in Sierra County; A New Railway Signal; New Diggings; The Krom Concentrator; Bull Run, 6. California atthe Philadelphia Exposition; Storm Signals for Mine Use; Carbonate Point District, '7. Pluck Rewarded by Luck; Central District; Improved Buddle; Does Miueral King Need a Furnace? 10. Wee of Interest from the Mines; New Incorporations, NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Golden Gate Academy, Oakland, Cal.; Assessinent Notice —California Fruit Growing Association; Water Pipe, American Pipe Co., 8. F. The Week. The week just passed has been occupied pretty fully by preparations for the Fourth of July all over the country. For the few days preceding onr National holiday and a day or two succeeding it, work is partially suspended, and when it comes in the middle of the week, as it did this time, the week is pretty well hroken up. The celehration in the city was a success, and great crowds of people witnegsed the procession, the regattas, ete. Our citizens having now demonstrated their patriotism hy ohserving the day, are ready again to settle down to every-day husiness. There were no fireworks in the city, hut at Badger’s Park, Oakland, where a varied entertainment was giveu for the henefit of tbe Oakland Free Reading Rooms, tbey had a display of fireworks which was witnessed hy a large crowd of people. A noticeahle feature of the celebration was the attention paid to the literary exercises, The Minine anv Screntiric Press this week commences its 25th volume under favorahle auspices. We hope to continue to keep all our old readers and add many more to the Bst hefore the year ends, We shall endeavor to keep the Press up to the staudard of a first-class mining, scientific, and mechanical journal, and continue to devote it specially to tbe interests of the industrial classes on the Pacitic coast. We begin the volume with energy and confidence, and assure our readers that we will do ali we can to further their interests by furnishing a readahle and valuable paper. The Silver Mud Springs of Oregon. Some months since an article went the rounds of the press relative to the discovery of certain mud springs in Wasco county, Oregon, the mud from which assayed all the way from $300 to $12,000 per ton in silver. Therc were said to be a numher of boiling spriugs which were continually throwing to the surface a mushy substance resembling soap aud strongly impregnated with alkali, in which pure chloride of silver was found in large quantities. Specimens of this curious substance were sent to Professor Silliman, at New Haven, who made an analysis and sent us the results, which we published in our issue of Decemher 16th, 1876. He pronounced tbe whole thing a fraud, stating that the mud was salted. He found no silver chloride at all, but found the silver in the pulp in a metallic state. He explained in this letter how he detected tbe thing, and said that any miner could at once solve the riddle hy washing a sinall particle of the stuff free of slimes, and ruhbing down the heavy grains in an agate mortar, or between two slips of glass, when the hrilliant grains of polished metallic silver will at once appear as thin scales. In our last issue we gave an article read hefore the Geological Society on this suhject hy Henry G. Hanks, and also a letter from Richard Hurley making a statement concerning the occurrence of the springs. Mr, Hanks in his paper douhts their being an artificial production, as his investigations lead him to suppose the product natural, for reasons expressed in his ce The Mining-Immigration Journal, a paper es in Portland, Oregon, has had a good eal to say recently of this ‘‘silver mud,” hut does not helieve in the existence of any silver in the mud. On investigation the reports published from that section were found incorrect. The Journal says: We bave had specimens of the mud hrought directly to us, taken trom a depth in some instances of 27 feet, from “soap” holes, the mud from which was reported to have assayed from $4 to $800 to the ton, tested thoroughly and not a trace of anything valuahle could he discovered; quartz, some of it from the celehrated strike said to have been made hy some Alhany ‘“‘boys,” was also tested witb the same result. Moreover, we are informed that no quartz ledges whatever exist in that locality; the quartz being what is called “float” quartz, whicb can be found in almost any locality in the State. The reports are so entirely different from what we were led to suppose, that we have no hesitation in saying, we at least are thoroughly convinced, that there is no merit whatever in the so-called ‘‘silver springs.” We also helieve the management of these mines has heen, to say the least, imprudent. We can imagine no good reason why it would not bave*heen practicable to have made a large shipment of this mud iu barrels or otherwise, eitber to Portland or San Francisco, for amalgamation and treatment, tbus thoroughly testing its value, hefore going to the expense of purcbasing and shipping machinery to the ground, Even if there was silver in the mud the extractions so far reported made, have been from such minute quantities that as a mere matter of precaution it wonld seem such action on the part of the directors would he more satisfactory and husiness like. The detriment to the interests of Oregon of ill-advised mining excitements is our sole, reason for stating these —what we consider—facts. F The Journal states that disinterested persons of experieuce who have visited the district. say there are no quartz ledges there. It says in another article: The mud which we have tested, was taken from ‘‘soap holes,” that had assayed according to report circulated, from $4 to $800 to the ton; the test made here for us showed that it contained nothing whatever, and it also seems from the card mentioned tbat other tests made of miud lately hrought down, only yielded silver after repeated assays; that is to say, several assays had to he made before any mud was found which had anything valuahle; we are told that only one assay out of five of these showed silver, and in reference to this, we have heard —but it is merely bearsay evidence—that the yield amonnted to one dollar and forty cents per ton. Buiiion Surpments. — Since our last issue shipments of bullion from prominent mines have heen as follows: Modoc, June 26th, 235 bars, value $3,900.71—total to date, $48,453.67; California, 27th, $187,872.94; Con. Virginia, 27th, $155,672.78; Northern Belle, 26th, $9,791,.47; Tyho Con., 26th, $8,753.22—total to date, $88,838.91; Grand Prize, 29th, $8,000; Chollar —total for June, $34,626; Northern Belle, July Ist, $15,123, Arizona, July Ist, $3,274; Indian Queen, June 27th, $1,114; California, July 3d, $405, 847— total to date,$1, 567,930; Grand Prize, July 3d, $8,000; Leopard, July 2d, $6,700; Ophir, July Ist, $9,176; Leeds, July 4th, $4,583; Con, Virginia, July 3d, $263,911—total to date, $867,827; New Coso, July 2d, $6,864— total for June, $70,064. Tr has heen reported for the past 30 days that the miners working at the bottom of the comhination sbaft, in Virginia City, could hear the hlasts set off in the header of tbe Sutro tunnel. For the last few days the blasts in the combiuation shaft are distinctly heard hy the miners in tbe Sutro tunnel, which is conclusive evidence that the latter is rapidly approaching completion, Pavement of Sluices. ’ In the issue of the Minine anp Screnriric Press of June 16th we published an article on this subject, illustrated by sections of rock and wood pavemeut, A correspondent from Calaveras county, signing himself ‘‘F. S.”, referring to the article, sends ns also his experience with payemeuts, which we give as follows : Block pavement is generally discarded hy those who know hetter, excepting in places where but little grade can he had or suitable paving rocks are not convenieut. Blocks are generally sawed from logs of a trifle larger diameter than the widtb of the flume and then trimmed to fit. Such hlocks give triangular riffies at the sides, save lahor in construction, and cannot be displaced by vibration when the side lining is added. Tbe rock pavement, as represented in your illustration, would he rather difficult to ohtain, as . the rocks would have to he of uniform length. Hard, smooth cohhles of an ohlong sbape, from eight to eighteen inches in length, make a su' perior pavement in all respects where sutficient grade can he had. Begin at tbe lower end of the fume, lap the most snitahle end of each rock on the row below it, say from two to four inches, heing careful that the crests of the overlapping ends are as near as possihle of uniform hight. When the paving is completed add the side lining 3s usual, then chink up with wood or rock the spaces which may he hetween the lower edge of the lining and the crest of the rock under it. Now turn on water sutticient only to carry sand and small pehbles, taking care that the sand fills completely all interstices in the pavement, Then allow, gradually, larger pehhles and more water to pass through the flume. “If properly done, uot a single paving stone can be dislodged even hy good sized rocks driven hy a large head of water. Such pavement can he used ina flume of any desired width, is cheaper and superior in attritive action, and gives a larger gold-saving area than all other pavings for like purposes. It was used successfully in Sierra county seventeen years ago. ai 18551 nsed cast iron rifles two feet in length, as wide as my flume, in shape similar to a common wash hoard, with rim at ends and sides as high as the hars. They were excellent and very convenient gold-savers, hut not adapted for general use. ? Closing Down of a Famous Mine, The old Eureka mine, at Grass Valley, which has made such 2 splendid record for itself as a bullion producer and dividend payer, for a long period of years, bas heen closed down permianently, showing tbat all things, no matter how good, must have an end. Tbe mine has heen famous, not only for its profitahle working, but for the good and bonest management under which it has heen conducted. Mr. Wm. Watt has been the Superintendent for the past twelve years, According to the last annnal report, the receipts and dishursemeuts of the company, from the date of its going into operation, Octofollows: The total receipts were $4,528,254; the dividends paid were $2,094,000; milling and mining expenses, $1,923,812. The Union, in speaking of tbe mine, says: “A month or more ago a dividend of $40,000 was declared, making a total of $2,094,000 paid out for dividends hy this company. ‘The amount taken out of the mine must he something over $5,000,000. The Idabo, which adjoins the Eureka on the east, bas taken out almost as much, and is still paying magnificently, having pay ore in the lowest depth yet attained—1,900 feet. The two mines, as far as worked, have furnished to the world ahout $9,000,000 worth of gold, “The Eureka worked out the pay chute st about the depth of 700 feet. The pay went into the Idaho company’s ground, and shows every sign of going down to an indetinite depth, “Tbe Eureka has never levied an assessment, and its last act will he to declare a dividend. This dividend will be in the neighhorhood of $30,000. Old Ajax will qnit business in a husiness way, and will leave a record of faithful aud efficient management, of which all Grass Valley is proud.” A short history of the famous property will be interesting. We copy it from ‘Beans Directory of Nevada.” ‘Eureka hill, through which the Eureka vein runs, is ahont one mile and one-quarter from Grass Valley. It was originally known as Eureka mountain, the first location heing made February 7th, 1851. The Eureka, which, as far as developed, has proved itself the richest gold mine in the world, is among the earliest quartz locations in tbe township, hut its richness, notwithstanding it had heen worked hy various parties for a numher of years, was not fully developed until the winter of 1863. The mine was owned at various times hy D. L. Lamarque, Geo. D, Roherts and William Chollar, who failed to find it profitable; Lamarque, who had purchased the interests of the otber partners, finally selling tbe mine in 1857 to Fricot, Ripert & Pralus, for a comparatively small sum. During the years from 1857 to 1863, the ledge was worked to a perpendicular depth of 48 feet, and during this period large quantities of quartz were taken out, none her lst, 1865, to Septemher 30th, 1876, were as 1 of which paid largely, while the greater portion of the rock failed to pay crushing expenses. Becoming satisfied at last that the ledge was really a good one, Fricot & Co. commenced sinking a vertical shaft in 1863, completing it to a depth of 100 feet in 1864. The vein at this depth was very large and well detined, showing an excellent quality of quartz. The company in sinking this sbaft took out sufficient money to pay the expenses of erecting hoisting works, huilding the present magnificent mill, all at an expense of over $60,000, besides giving numerous handsome dividends to the three partners. From 1863, up to the sale of the mine in the fall of 1865, the Eureka continued to pay largely, but the figures we have not heen able to ohtain.” Cost of Production at the Mount Diablo Coal Mines. The only coal field in the State of California which has hitherto been profitahly mined, is the Mount Diahlo coal field, now, however, nearly worked out. The mines in this field have, according to Mr. Goodyear, in his “Coal mines of the Western Coast,” yielded since 1861, a total of 1,875,962 tons of coal, of 2,240 pounds to the ton. These mines are the principal ones in the State, as although it is easy to tind coal in many localities on the Coast range, from one end of California to the other, as well as at certain points in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada, yet it generally happens either that its quality is poor or its quantity small, or else that it is situated in the heart of the mountains, so far from market that the cost of transportation alone would far exceed the value of the coal, Concerning the cost of production at the Mount Diahlo mines, Mr. Goodyear, whose work we noticed last week, has had excellent opportunities of ohserving, and the following extract will he found of value to those interested in this kind of mining ; “The cost of mining and transporting the Mount Diahlo coal has varied very greatly, not only hetween the different mines, but also at different times and under varying circumstances for the same mine. The differences in this respect haye been so great, indeed, that any single statement of the actual cost for any particular mine at any definite time would he of no value whatever as an index of the cost at the same time for a different mine, or for the same mine at a different time. This fact is well illustrated by the history of the Black Diamond Coal Company. At their mines, the monthly averages of the cost per ton for lahor alone in mining the coal and putting it into bunkers at the mines, exclusive of the cost of timber and all other supplies, have ranged at different times since 1867 from a minimum of ahout $2,374 to a maximum of very nearly $4; or say, including supplies, from ahout $2.75 to $4.50, or a little more, per ton, Within the same time, the monthly averages of the cost of the railroad transportation from the mines to tbe landing have ranged from 25 or 30 cents to over $1.00 per ton; while the cost also of. the water transportation from the landing to San Francisco has varied hetween 37 cents and $1.25 per ton. ‘ “But theu, again, these three items of cost for mining, for land transportation, and for water transportation, have rarely or never reached either their maxima or their minima values simultaneously, and consequently the actual bighest or lowest figures of total cost for mining, transportation and delivery of the Mount Diahlo coal at any particular time would not he ohtained hy adding together separately either the highest or the lowest of the figures given ahove, “This total cost, however, has varied at different times since 1866, from a minimum of ahout $5.00, or possibly a little less, to a maximum of somewhere hetween $6.50 and $7.00 per ton. But for a general estimate of the total average cost of all the Mount Diahlo coal which bas ever heen sent to market, the sum of $5.75 per ton may he taken as a fair approximation. “Tt may also he stated in this connection, that the average loss of coal in the pillars and in waste of one kind and another in the working of the mines has heen, as nearly as it can ho estimated, not far from 25 per cent. In other words, only ahout three-fourths of the ooal which the heds contained has heen extracted and utilized throughout the whole extent of the works.” Procuz.—In Salt Lake City, San Francisco district, Leeds, Silver Reef, and all the outside districts, the impression prevails that things have commenced hooming in Pioche, similar to tbe way they did in 1871, and individuals from every direction are making their way to Pioche as fast as possible in all manner of style, the roads leading to that place having plenty of men making tbe trip afoot. The Hecord cannot say what has given this impression, but it is a very false one, and some will bitterly regret leaving good positions to go there at present. Although tbe camp is doing very well there is nothing to justify a hig rush nor the chance for men to get work by going, so they had hetter bold off for a while. Tue Sulphur Banks quicksilver mine is turning out from 1,000 to 1,100 flasks of quicksilver per month. The company intend refining sulphur again, the demand having increased. t

MINING AND SCIENTIFIC PRESS {July 7, 1877. W, B. EWER Sexton Epiror. DEWEY & CO., Publishers, 4. T. DEWEY, GEO, 1. STRONG. W. B, EWER, JNO, L. BOONE, Office, No. 224 Sansome Street, 5. E, Corner of California Street, San Francisco. Subscription and Advertising Rates: Apvertisina Rates. lweek. 1 month. 3mos. 12 mos. Per line.....++5+ 25 +80 3 2.00 % 5.00 Half inch (1 square). $1.00 $3.00 7.50 24.00 One inch.. cee.. 1.50 4.00 12.00 40,00 Large advertisements at favorable rates. Special or reading notices, legal advertisements, notices appearing in extraordinary type or in particular parts of the paper, inserted at special rates. Four insertions are rated in a month. _ Supscripnoy 1x Apyance—Postage paid—one year, $4; six months, $2.25; three months, $1.25. Remittances by registered letters or P. 0 orders at our risk. Wnirz for the Minine AND ScientiFic Press. We invite not only professional meu, but practical miners and mechanies to contribute to our columns. All communications will be kindly treated. Authors, as well as readers, will be benefited by corresponding. ApprEss all letters to the firm, and not to individual members, or others, who may at any time be absent. Our latest forms go to press on Thursday evening. SAN FRANCISCO: Saturday Morning, July 7, 1877. TABLE OF CONTENTS. GENERAL EDITORIALS.—Calculating Machines; Mining in Amador; Academy of Sciences, 1; The Silver Mud Springs of Qicgon; Pavement of Sluices; Closing Down of a Famous Mine, 8; The Twelfth Industrial Exhibition; Compound Mining Pump; Cost of Production at the Mount Diablo Coal Mines, 9; Notices of Recent Patents, 12. ’ ILLUSTRATIONS.—Grant’s Calculating Machine, 1. Mechanics’ Institute Medal for 1877; Compound Double Plunger Pump for Mines, 9. CORKESPONDENCE.—From Monterey, 12. MECHANICAL PROGRESS.—The Iron Industry in 1876; A New Electric Motor; A New Steam Crane; Nickel Plating; Inclined Plane Railway; Making Marble From Slute; Cotton Seed as Boiler Felting, 3. SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS.—Spontaneous Generation; Deep Sea Life; A Discovery; Wonders Under Water; Obtaining Light by Burning Quartz; Geological; New Spectroscope; Toughened Glass in the German Amy, 3. MINING STOCK MARKET.—Suales at the San Francisco, Pacifie and California Stuck Boards; Notices of Assessments, Meetings and Dividends; Review of the Stock Market for the Week, 4. MINING SUMMARY—From the Various Counties of California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico and Oregon, 5-12. THE BNGINEER.—A New Transandine Railway; Proposed Narrow Gauge; The Jetties; Moving Cleopatra's Needle; Splicing Wires for Bridge Cables; Two New Bridges at Rotterdam, 6. USEFUL INFORMATION.—The Science of Floor Serubbing; Lead Turning with Tin Lining; To Counteract the Dampness of Wails; Gun Cotton; The Trade in Human Hair; Asparagus Paper, 7. GOOD HEALTH.—Danger in Self Dosing; Longévity of the Israelites; Danger in Vinegar; Wedding Journeys; A. Surfeit; To Avoid Sleeplessness, ‘7. GENERAL NEWS ITEMS on page 12 and other ages. MISCELLANEOUS.—English Lead Mines; American Locomotives in England; Separating Nickel from Ores Containing Iron; New Mexico Mines; Distilled Water for Marine Boilers, 2. Mining in Sierra County; A New Railway Signal; New Diggings; The Krom Concentrator; Bull Run, 6. California atthe Philadelphia Exposition; Storm Signals for Mine Use; Carbonate Point District, '7. Pluck Rewarded by Luck; Central District; Improved Buddle; Does Miueral King Need a Furnace? 10. Wee of Interest from the Mines; New Incorporations, NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Golden Gate Academy, Oakland, Cal.; Assessinent Notice —California Fruit Growing Association; Water Pipe, American Pipe Co., 8. F. The Week. The week just passed has been occupied pretty fully by preparations for the Fourth of July all over the country. For the few days preceding onr National holiday and a day or two succeeding it, work is partially suspended, and when it comes in the middle of the week, as it did this time, the week is pretty well hroken up. The celehration in the city was a success, and great crowds of people witnegsed the procession, the regattas, ete. Our citizens having now demonstrated their patriotism hy ohserving the day, are ready again to settle down to every-day husiness. There were no fireworks in the city, hut at Badger’s Park, Oakland, where a varied entertainment was giveu for the henefit of tbe Oakland Free Reading Rooms, tbey had a display of fireworks which was witnessed hy a large crowd of people. A noticeahle feature of the celebration was the attention paid to the literary exercises, The Minine anv Screntiric Press this week commences its 25th volume under favorahle auspices. We hope to continue to keep all our old readers and add many more to the Bst hefore the year ends, We shall endeavor to keep the Press up to the staudard of a first-class mining, scientific, and mechanical journal, and continue to devote it specially to tbe interests of the industrial classes on the Pacitic coast. We begin the volume with energy and confidence, and assure our readers that we will do ali we can to further their interests by furnishing a readahle and valuable paper. The Silver Mud Springs of Oregon. Some months since an article went the rounds of the press relative to the discovery of certain mud springs in Wasco county, Oregon, the mud from which assayed all the way from $300 to $12,000 per ton in silver. Therc were said to be a numher of boiling spriugs which were continually throwing to the surface a mushy substance resembling soap aud strongly impregnated with alkali, in which pure chloride of silver was found in large quantities. Specimens of this curious substance were sent to Professor Silliman, at New Haven, who made an analysis and sent us the results, which we published in our issue of Decemher 16th, 1876. He pronounced tbe whole thing a fraud, stating that the mud was salted. He found no silver chloride at all, but found the silver in the pulp in a metallic state. He explained in this letter how he detected tbe thing, and said that any miner could at once solve the riddle hy washing a sinall particle of the stuff free of slimes, and ruhbing down the heavy grains in an agate mortar, or between two slips of glass, when the hrilliant grains of polished metallic silver will at once appear as thin scales. In our last issue we gave an article read hefore the Geological Society on this suhject hy Henry G. Hanks, and also a letter from Richard Hurley making a statement concerning the occurrence of the springs. Mr, Hanks in his paper douhts their being an artificial production, as his investigations lead him to suppose the product natural, for reasons expressed in his ce The Mining-Immigration Journal, a paper es in Portland, Oregon, has had a good eal to say recently of this ‘‘silver mud,” hut does not helieve in the existence of any silver in the mud. On investigation the reports published from that section were found incorrect. The Journal says: We bave had specimens of the mud hrought directly to us, taken trom a depth in some instances of 27 feet, from “soap” holes, the mud from which was reported to have assayed from $4 to $800 to the ton, tested thoroughly and not a trace of anything valuahle could he discovered; quartz, some of it from the celehrated strike said to have been made hy some Alhany ‘“‘boys,” was also tested witb the same result. Moreover, we are informed that no quartz ledges whatever exist in that locality; the quartz being what is called “float” quartz, whicb can be found in almost any locality in the State. The reports are so entirely different from what we were led to suppose, that we have no hesitation in saying, we at least are thoroughly convinced, that there is no merit whatever in the so-called ‘‘silver springs.” We also helieve the management of these mines has heen, to say the least, imprudent. We can imagine no good reason why it would not bave*heen practicable to have made a large shipment of this mud iu barrels or otherwise, eitber to Portland or San Francisco, for amalgamation and treatment, tbus thoroughly testing its value, hefore going to the expense of purcbasing and shipping machinery to the ground, Even if there was silver in the mud the extractions so far reported made, have been from such minute quantities that as a mere matter of precaution it wonld seem such action on the part of the directors would he more satisfactory and husiness like. The detriment to the interests of Oregon of ill-advised mining excitements is our sole, reason for stating these —what we consider—facts. F The Journal states that disinterested persons of experieuce who have visited the district. say there are no quartz ledges there. It says in another article: The mud which we have tested, was taken from ‘‘soap holes,” that had assayed according to report circulated, from $4 to $800 to the ton; the test made here for us showed that it contained nothing whatever, and it also seems from the card mentioned tbat other tests made of miud lately hrought down, only yielded silver after repeated assays; that is to say, several assays had to he made before any mud was found which had anything valuahle; we are told that only one assay out of five of these showed silver, and in reference to this, we have heard —but it is merely bearsay evidence—that the yield amonnted to one dollar and forty cents per ton. Buiiion Surpments. — Since our last issue shipments of bullion from prominent mines have heen as follows: Modoc, June 26th, 235 bars, value $3,900.71—total to date, $48,453.67; California, 27th, $187,872.94; Con. Virginia, 27th, $155,672.78; Northern Belle, 26th, $9,791,.47; Tyho Con., 26th, $8,753.22—total to date, $88,838.91; Grand Prize, 29th, $8,000; Chollar —total for June, $34,626; Northern Belle, July Ist, $15,123, Arizona, July Ist, $3,274; Indian Queen, June 27th, $1,114; California, July 3d, $405, 847— total to date,$1, 567,930; Grand Prize, July 3d, $8,000; Leopard, July 2d, $6,700; Ophir, July Ist, $9,176; Leeds, July 4th, $4,583; Con, Virginia, July 3d, $263,911—total to date, $867,827; New Coso, July 2d, $6,864— total for June, $70,064. Tr has heen reported for the past 30 days that the miners working at the bottom of the comhination sbaft, in Virginia City, could hear the hlasts set off in the header of tbe Sutro tunnel. For the last few days the blasts in the combiuation shaft are distinctly heard hy the miners in tbe Sutro tunnel, which is conclusive evidence that the latter is rapidly approaching completion, Pavement of Sluices. ’ In the issue of the Minine anp Screnriric Press of June 16th we published an article on

this subject, illustrated by sections of rock and wood pavemeut, A correspondent from Calaveras county, signing himself ‘‘F. S.”, referring to the article, sends ns also his experience with payemeuts, which we give as follows : Block pavement is generally discarded hy those who know hetter, excepting in places where but little grade can he had or suitable paving rocks are not convenieut. Blocks are generally sawed from logs of a trifle larger diameter than the widtb of the flume and then trimmed to fit. Such hlocks give triangular riffies at the sides, save lahor in construction, and cannot be displaced by vibration when the side lining is added. Tbe rock pavement, as represented in your illustration, would he rather difficult to ohtain, as . the rocks would have to he of uniform length. Hard, smooth cohhles of an ohlong sbape, from eight to eighteen inches in length, make a su' perior pavement in all respects where sutficient grade can he had. Begin at tbe lower end of the fume, lap the most snitahle end of each rock on the row below it, say from two to four inches, heing careful that the crests of the overlapping ends are as near as possihle of uniform hight. When the paving is completed add the side lining 3s usual, then chink up with wood or rock the spaces which may he hetween the lower edge of the lining and the crest of the rock under it. Now turn on water sutticient only to carry sand and small pehbles, taking care that the sand fills completely all interstices in the pavement, Then allow, gradually, larger pehhles and more water to pass through the flume. “If properly done, uot a single paving stone can be dislodged even hy good sized rocks driven hy a large head of water. Such pavement can he used ina flume of any desired width, is cheaper and superior in attritive action, and gives a larger gold-saving area than all other pavings for like purposes. It was used successfully in Sierra county seventeen years ago. ai 18551 nsed cast iron rifles two feet in length, as wide as my flume, in shape similar to a common wash hoard, with rim at ends and sides as high as the hars. They were excellent and very convenient gold-savers, hut not adapted for general use. ? Closing Down of a Famous Mine, The old Eureka mine, at Grass Valley, which has made such 2 splendid record for itself as a bullion producer and dividend payer, for a long period of years, bas heen closed down permianently, showing tbat all things, no matter how good, must have an end. Tbe mine has heen famous, not only for its profitahle working, but for the good and bonest management under which it has heen conducted. Mr. Wm. Watt has been the Superintendent for the past twelve years, According to the last annnal report, the receipts and dishursemeuts of the company, from the date of its going into operation, Octofollows: The total receipts were $4,528,254; the dividends paid were $2,094,000; milling and mining expenses, $1,923,812. The Union, in speaking of tbe mine, says: “A month or more ago a dividend of $40,000 was declared, making a total of $2,094,000 paid out for dividends hy this company. ‘The amount taken out of the mine must he something over $5,000,000. The Idabo, which adjoins the Eureka on the east, bas taken out almost as much, and is still paying magnificently, having pay ore in the lowest depth yet attained—1,900 feet. The two mines, as far as worked, have furnished to the world ahout $9,000,000 worth of gold, “The Eureka worked out the pay chute st about the depth of 700 feet. The pay went into the Idaho company’s ground, and shows every sign of going down to an indetinite depth, “Tbe Eureka has never levied an assessment, and its last act will he to declare a dividend. This dividend will be in the neighhorhood of $30,000. Old Ajax will qnit business in a husiness way, and will leave a record of faithful aud efficient management, of which all Grass Valley is proud.” A short history of the famous property will be interesting. We copy it from ‘Beans Directory of Nevada.” ‘Eureka hill, through which the Eureka vein runs, is ahont one mile and one-quarter from Grass Valley. It was originally known as Eureka mountain, the first location heing made February 7th, 1851. The Eureka, which, as far as developed, has proved itself the richest gold mine in the world, is among the earliest quartz locations in tbe township, hut its richness, notwithstanding it had heen worked hy various parties for a numher of years, was not fully developed until the winter of 1863. The mine was owned at various times hy D. L. Lamarque, Geo. D, Roherts and William Chollar, who failed to find it profitable; Lamarque, who had purchased the interests of the otber partners, finally selling tbe mine in 1857 to Fricot, Ripert & Pralus, for a comparatively small sum. During the years from 1857 to 1863, the ledge was worked to a perpendicular depth of 48 feet, and during this period large quantities of quartz were taken out, none her lst, 1865, to Septemher 30th, 1876, were as 1 of which paid largely, while the greater portion of the rock failed to pay crushing expenses. Becoming satisfied at last that the ledge was really a good one, Fricot & Co. commenced sinking a vertical shaft in 1863, completing it to a depth of 100 feet in 1864. The vein at this depth was very large and well detined, showing an excellent quality of quartz. The company in sinking this sbaft took out sufficient money to pay the expenses of erecting hoisting works, huilding the present magnificent mill, all at an expense of over $60,000, besides giving numerous handsome dividends to the three partners. From 1863, up to the sale of the mine in the fall of 1865, the Eureka continued to pay largely, but the figures we have not heen able to ohtain.” Cost of Production at the Mount Diablo Coal Mines. The only coal field in the State of California which has hitherto been profitahly mined, is the Mount Diahlo coal field, now, however, nearly worked out. The mines in this field have, according to Mr. Goodyear, in his “Coal mines of the Western Coast,” yielded since 1861, a total of 1,875,962 tons of coal, of 2,240 pounds to the ton. These mines are the principal ones in the State, as although it is easy to tind coal in many localities on the Coast range, from one end of California to the other, as well as at certain points in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada, yet it generally happens either that its quality is poor or its quantity small, or else that it is situated in the heart of the mountains, so far from market that the cost of transportation alone would far exceed the value of the coal, Concerning the cost of production at the Mount Diahlo mines, Mr. Goodyear, whose work we noticed last week, has had excellent opportunities of ohserving, and the following extract will he found of value to those interested in this kind of mining ; “The cost of mining and transporting the Mount Diahlo coal has varied very greatly, not only hetween the different mines, but also at different times and under varying circumstances for the same mine. The differences in this respect haye been so great, indeed, that any single statement of the actual cost for any particular mine at any definite time would he of no value whatever as an index of the cost at the same time for a different mine, or for the same mine at a different time. This fact is well illustrated by the history of the Black Diamond Coal Company. At their mines, the monthly averages of the cost per ton for lahor alone in mining the coal and putting it into bunkers at the mines, exclusive of the cost of timber and all other supplies, have ranged at different times since 1867 from a minimum of ahout $2,374 to a maximum of very nearly $4; or say, including supplies, from ahout $2.75 to $4.50, or a little more, per ton, Within the same time, the monthly averages of the cost of the railroad transportation from the mines to tbe landing have ranged from 25 or 30 cents to over $1.00 per ton; while the cost also of. the water transportation from the landing to San Francisco has varied hetween 37 cents and $1.25 per ton. ‘ “But theu, again, these three items of cost for mining, for land transportation, and for water transportation, have rarely or never reached either their maxima or their minima values simultaneously, and consequently the actual bighest or lowest figures of total cost for mining, transportation and delivery of the Mount Diahlo coal at any particular time would not he ohtained hy adding together separately either the highest or the lowest of the figures given ahove, “This total cost, however, has varied at different times since 1866, from a minimum of ahout $5.00, or possibly a little less, to a maximum of somewhere hetween $6.50 and $7.00 per ton. But for a general estimate of the total average cost of all the Mount Diahlo coal which bas ever heen sent to market, the sum of $5.75 per ton may he taken as a fair approximation. “Tt may also he stated in this connection, that the average loss of coal in the pillars and in waste of one kind and another in the working of the mines has heen, as nearly as it can ho estimated, not far from 25 per cent. In other words, only ahout three-fourths of the ooal which the heds contained has heen extracted and utilized throughout the whole extent of the works.” Procuz.—In Salt Lake City, San Francisco district, Leeds, Silver Reef, and all the outside districts, the impression prevails that things have commenced hooming in Pioche, similar to tbe way they did in 1871, and individuals from every direction are making their way to Pioche as fast as possible in all manner of style, the roads leading to that place having plenty of men making tbe trip afoot. The Hecord cannot say what has given this impression, but it is a very false one, and some will bitterly regret leaving good positions to go there at present. Although tbe camp is doing very well there is nothing to justify a hig rush nor the chance for men to get work by going, so they had hetter bold off for a while. Tue Sulphur Banks quicksilver mine is turning out from 1,000 to 1,100 flasks of quicksilver per month. The company intend refining sulphur again, the demand having increased. t