The Nevada journal., 1852-05-22
> DIJ L~IIV VI

tive demonstration shows it largely in
his favor. The causes of failures are
various, and more the fault of parties
than lack of good paying material.
The first and great cause, is the too
sanguine expectations founded solely
upon assays, instead of tests through the
process by which they were to operate
for upon these assays they have eslima-
ted the quantity Of quartz os near as
their extended imaginations could cal
culate, which is multiplied by the as
sayer's certificate, and upon this they
have gone to work, hnrum, scaram, un-
der the full conviction that large re-
turn upon the investment in a short time
could be nude. Muny machines in
consequence, have been erected upon
veins that do not yield enough to nett
expenses, not because there is no gold
in the rock, but because the process oy
which it is extracted is not adapted to
the character of the gold Those who
are engaged in quartz mining are aware
of the fact that -four gold is entirely too
fine to be saved under the present pro-
cess of stamping and tables, for it is
evident that this kind of gold, by the
current Of water that is generally used
is as liable to float off as the smallest
particle Of quartz.
Many operations save sufficient god
to nett large return per ton /; and in
variably it will be found that the vein
contains coarse gold-thus showing that
under the present process, and rate of
labor, they are the ones mostly to be
depended on. Of this kind of veins,
there are sufficient to employ all the
capital of those wishing to engage in the
business.
do not wish to denounce the utility
of assays, or science in tho matter. On
the contrary, think there has been too
little attention paid to science; for had
many of the companies left tho selection
of the ground for operations to q prac-
teal mineralogist and geologist, | would
venture the assertion, that three out Of
every four Improbable mills would have
yielded good return upon the invest
ment.
There is another reason why quartz
mining in measure has become DOR
mant. In many instances two or three
persons, or may be half dozen, have
joined together and gone into the busi-
ness, under the supposition that few
thousand dollars would be sufficient.
Operations are commenced, and every
little while an assessment must be levied
coming more heavily than anticipated,
until it has nearly swallowed up every
dollar that all have been enabled to
raise The expenditures and difficult
ties attending the construction and man.
agement of these works cannot be con-
ceived except by those who are engaged
in the business. A great outlay of funds
is necessarily required, and more than
any two or three men should undertake
to furnish, without intending to concen-
trats all their capital and attention.
Many have individually undertaken it,
some Of whom have been unsuccessful,
while others are still pushing onward
with bright horizon before them
In some instances, the enterprise is
abandoned when partially completed at
a serious loss, in consequence of which.
they curse the businuss from beginning
to end. Whereas, had the prosecution
of the object been undertaken by
company Of sufficient capital, it would,
instead of being failure, in all proba-
bility paid handsomely on the invest
mont
Many mills have been erected by
parties for the purpose Of crushing on
shares, or per centage, and in almost
every instance, we hear that it don't
pay = that is, il don pay the mill own
ers; yet were the lead their property
it would pay we'll. A vein netting $40
per ton viii pay, with proper manage.
ment, fair interest upon capital of
100000, even at the present high rate
Of labor.
Quartz mining will eventually be the
great business Of California. In it, as
in every other business, some will be
ruined, while others will make fortunes.
There is little excitement here ut pre-
sent upon tho subject, vet those who
are engaged in the business must admit
that it is now in a more healthy condi-
ton than at any previous time. A. B, P.
A NUMEROUS FAMILy.-The Shah Of