Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-14
WHOLE NO. 115.

summer of 1877 works we're again resumed
on the island, and also on Locust Greek, un.
der the direction of j. j. Sattery, Esq, gen.
tleman from Hungary, who has had expert.
ence in mining both in Hungary and Califor-
MIA. Coarse gold in paying quantities was
found on the bed rocks on Locust Greek, but
to what extent am not advised.
The season being far advanced, but little
was done on the island except making prep.
arations for working the ensuing year.
In the spring OF 1872 works were again
resumed on the island and Cn Stony Brook,
under the direction Of the gentleman above
named, in connection with a partner, and
under his skilful and scientific management,
Notwithstanding the amount of labor and the
heavy outlay necessary to insure success in
extensive mining the result proved quite
satisfactory to the proprietors.
In the first place we built wall to pro-
tect us from high water In the prosecution
Of our work we used the Hydraulic, by
which we were able to concentrate the gold
by washing off the light sand, thereby
greatly diminishing the work of pick and
shovel. The mass thus concentrated was
shoveled into sluice boxes, in which rifles
were placed, which retained portion of the
gold as it passed through the boxes, and
what escaped with the gravel aud sand was
carried by the water on to the seive box and
through the screen into the box, leaving the
coarse gravel on the top of the screen, where
it is easily disposed Of by boy with hoe
and shovel The heavy black sand in pas
sing out of the seive box carries portion of
fine gold with it, and in passing through the
blanketed sluice boxes deposits another por.
tion OF fine gold, and in leaving said sluice
boxes it passes into two long concentrator
boxes, each being filled alternately whilst the
other is being emptied by hand ready for
that purpose. What gold escapes in passing
through the blanket boxes, deposits itself
with the heavy black sand near the upper
end Of the concentrator boxes, none having
been found to escape through these boxes.
The black sand, being composed of mag.
netic iron which is deposited with the gold
in the long concentration boxes, is shoveled into
a smooth sluice box through which current
of water passes, carrying both the gold and
black sand over broad inclined plane, pass
ing through crevices cut in a triangle placed
upon said plane, by which process both the
gold and black sand is steadily deposited in
the upper end of large, broad concentrator.
the light worthless sand passing off. This
composition Of gold and black sand is next
put into an amalgamator, in which the gold
deposits itself. The black sand, passing off
IN pure state, is now placed in a large bin
to dry, when it is ready for market. | will
not weary your patience by describing the
amalgamatOr, unless requested but suffice it
TO say that it works to a charm. The gold
becomes amalgamated In the amalgamator,
from whence it is taken and retorted, then
smelted and made into bullion when it is
ready for market.
Another metallic element of great value,
having very great density, being the heavi.
est of known substances, has been discover
ed, mingled with the gold from the Island.
This element is iridium Melt the gold in
a crucible with this element, aud still it re.
tains its own peculiar character. Mingled
with the gold its presence is easily detected
by the keen practiced eye ofthe mineralogist
on account of its beautiful, bright, sparkling
appearance. A specimen in my possession
will satisfy your curiosities. Of its quantity
l cannot yet advise you, but of its value, the
manufacturers of gold pens can tell you. OF
its presence this ring will satisfy you, and of
the epresence ofgold, this bullion and this gold
dust is my voucher, all of which were taken
from the island, and Stony Brook, and one
great encouraging fact is this, the deeper we
dig the coarser we find the gold, and conse.
quently heavier, and more abundant.
Beyond doubt there is veiy large auan.
tity OF the finest Of gold deposited, both in
the island and on Stony Brook Also,
large amount Of black sand, composed of
metallic iron, which is Of itself nearly, if not
quite sufficient to meet the entire expenses of
mining, leaving the gold to say nothing
about the iridium, nearly or quite net prof.
it, You may think that our works and
machinery are very complicated, but this is
not so Three men and one boy can average
nearly one ton of metallic iron, sand, &c.
dug, prepared, ready for the amalgamator.
l will simply state one trial. Iu October
last, caused three hands to work a little less
than ] l-2 days two Of which shoveled the
gravel into the sluce boxes, and one forked
the stones out Of them, and IN the afternoon
OF the second day, cleaned up. The result
was few cents less than $40 in gold. And
know Of no reason why like results cannot
be obtained daily. 1t seems therefore sci f
evident fact that capital, labor and skill is
all that is wanted to insure perfect success
IN the mining business in White River valley.
1t is a very careless method of feeding
fowls which we see so often adopted, where
the grain is thrown down in great heaps on
the ground or floor. 1t is not only wasteful
but injurious to the fowls, because they get
over-ted and it is in an important respect
contrary to their habits. For their nature
is to scratch Watch the old hen with
brood when she is just let out of the coop.
She hardly stirs from the spot, but as soon as