The Nevada journal., 1852-02-26
Quar:z Mining.

MEssRs. EDITORS. is sad truth
that we notice, but too often with re-
gret, ms we'll in the mining district Of
Nevada city, as in all the mining dis
tricts of California, perfect failure Of
the hopes which the enterprising miner
entertained, with regard to the most
brilliant expectations Of the quartz
mines. Owing to the present circum-
stances, and to the system of working
the understanding to oil principles
now entirely abandoned in the respec-
tive countries of their invention--I am
not at all surprised that failures take
place, even under the most favorable
prospects which the richest quartz vein
may offer. Concluding from the way
the quarts business is managed, I feel
induced to believe that the generality
Of people engaged in quartz mining,
think that it is only necessary to have
many and strong stamps, in order to
grind the quarts, and that the balance,
and indeed the most difficult part of the
work, the extraction Of the gold, is quite
simple matter and done nearly by
itself This is truly deplorable state,
but it is not very surprising considering
that the pursuits many people follow in
California are so far different f.om their
former vocation. The farmer becomes
q successful merchant, baker or landlord,
etc Why all this is very easy, and is
it not just as easy to become q mechan.
10, chemist, mineralogist, Inspector of
mines, or even director, or superinten-
dent Of such works which all specially
belong to art and science, the exploring
and working of mines. But this is an
easy task. The quartz is taken out of
the veins, after being crushed under
the stamps, it passes into the amalga-
mator This is the whole process of Sc
parating gold from quartz 1t is Ger.
tainly all plain enoug h! Then 1t is of
no use to employ scientific men, who
might accidentally ask for remunera.
tion. The same work may just as we'll
be done without them. 1t is said in
certain books that it is we'll to burn the
quartz in slow way, before putting it
into the machinery. Here, you see the
miners going on with their operations,
burning the quartz in large quantities
and in very quick way, in order to
finish that process as soon as possible,
without considering what could or could
not happen during this time After
working short time in this way, and
there being no great show for obtaining
gold, the whole work is abandoned, ow,
ing to failure Of the mine, Us they
suppose.
Such, Messrs. Editors. is the spirit
that has hitherto in most instances, gui-
ded the enterprises of those companies
which have met with deep disappoint.
ment and complete failure. deeply
regret this deplorabls state, and yet
there are plenty of scientific men in our
midst who could remedy the evil but
doubtless these men have never been
consulted. Let US then advise our friends
interested in tho mines, to take exam.
pie of such faults. that they may not
commit them again, and that they will
do better, far better, to employ scien.
tific men in matters Of such Importance,
and to pay such men we'll for their ser.
vices. How small will prove such
compensation, compared to total loss
OF capital and time, if by timely advice
it may not only be prevented, but per-
feet success obtained.
The generality Of veins are good, and
yet they have in many instances proved
a failure, owing to Dad management.
This matter is we'll known, and it is
also evidently clear enough, that the
veins are not bare of gold.
You are. Messrs Editors, politely re.
quested to contribute through the me.
dunn OF your paper. in obtaining fer this
great and important branch of public
resource new impulse, and aid in per-
fecting Improvements.
Respectfully yours,