The San Francisco call., 1898-02-13

made in the maturing of the plans for the dams and the selection of sites in order that estimates may be made and addition al appropriations procured if necessary" miners from all over the State in San Francisco than have been assembled in the metropolis before. That will be miners day at the Mining Fair. and the c. Ralston is chairman. is straining every nerve to make it the great day of the fair. This 1t unquestionably will be- The low railroad rates have been extend the mining regions will be on hand. The Calaveras band will be on hand and at the formal exercises Governor Budd, Mayor Phelan, J. H. Neff and others will neer times, "The Days of 49,' will be on the musical programme. Over 5000 will be expended in prizes at the double and single handed championship rock-drilling contests and the Cornish wrestling con tests.
 That white metar' mystery of Modoc County Is at the front again and stirring up some excitement up there. There ap- pears to be mineralogical mystery about the thing, though probably the mystery authority has ever taken the trouble to thoroughly investigate it. The white metal discovery was made about three years ago by man named Dyson. A deposit of mineralized igneous rock ap- parently mile wide and several miles long was found in the Warner Range, be- tween Surprise Valley and Goose Lake. It was said that by any crude smelting process a peculiar white metal was easily obtained. There was rush, many claims were located and then nothing came of Bureau showed very soft iron, lead and zinc, but no exact analysis was made. Similarly indefinite tests were made by other assayers. The metal looks like soft solder will irnn f hoe been popularly called Dysonite, after the discoverer. Now a San Francisco min ing man Is Investigating the thing and Modoc County expects the mystery to be solved and to see a large production of 'Dysonite," whatever 1t really Is.
 ed in the rain prospects as are the farm CTS, in whose behalf all the prayers for precipitation are offered. During all the fall and winter a great many quartz mines dependent on water power as well as hydraulic mines have been shut down or run part time on account of lack of water From this cause the States gold production was lessened between $2 900, ,00( and 100000. In the Sierras there are two feet of snow where there is generally twelve or fifteen feet. Should the season remain dry one the mining industry will be greatly hampered in many dis l tricts throughout the year.
 Here IS another sample of the weekly Noff of indications of mining prosperity III Sdh4OIlud dIlO tilo new WlQeSpredQ Tn lcrest III 1t. San Jose is not in a golt mining region, but the San Jose Mercury says: Success appears to be attending the efforts of large number of resident. of this county who are interested in nu merous mining ventures in various part. of the State. Every little while the an nouncement is made that some of oul citizens have struck it rich or hay, sold mine or bought one while score. are meeting with encouraging prospects The revival of interest in mining is TO confining itself to any particular locality and the profits of the industry are al
 likely to be reaped by those residing il the agricultural districts as well as b, those who are nearer the mines"
 Something new, though simple, ha
 struck beach mining, a small phase of tn gold industry in California which grow
 with the others. Economy in handlin; the black sand has resulted at the moutl of Harris Creek in Humboldt County b, the plan of piping water from dam oi the creek into a sand pit on the beacl mining claim. The sand and water .wer, then pumped with five-inch pump int, the sluices instead of being shoveled LID l The pipe line, pump and three men do tn,