receive a full supply of water from the pipes of the White Pine Water Company at a trifling expense, and the ore can be dumped from the mine directly on the battery floor, if necessary, by means of a chute, thereby saving the expense of transportation by teams, which usually costs from $3 to $5 per ton.

0. H. Treasure.-This mine was the first discovered on Treasure Hill, and has been so often described that its locality is too well known to require any further description in these pages. During the first two years that it was mined it was generally supposed, from its location at the point of contact of the lime and shale, to be a contact-vein pitching to the west, but the explorations of the past year have disproved the theory. It is now known to dip to the east at an angle of 38 degrees, thus corresponding in dip and course with all the mines situated on the main north and south ore-channel. The greatest depth attained at the present writing is 160 feet from the surface. At that depth the vein is found to be from 10 to 30 feet in thickness. It contains low-grade milling ore, which is very much mixed with lime and spar, and requires careful sorting. A tunnel is projected and is already driven in 56 feet. It starts from the O'Neil grade on the east slope of Treasure Hill, and will eventually explore the mine to a perpendicular depth of 500 feet below the croppings. The distance to be run will be something less than 400 feet, as the east slope of the hill is very precipitous. The probability is that, on this account, much of the deeper explorations along this channel will eventually be carried on by means of tunnels. The prospects of this mine have materially improved during the past year. We find the returns for the first quarter to amount to only 64 tons, and the gross yield to $1,310.72, while those for the quarter ending September 30 are 1,162 tons, giving a gross yield of $48,540. The company have purchased the Big Smoky mill, and have thoroughly overhauled it preparatory to working the ore from the mine.

Silver Wave is the next mine south of the last named. It has been explored to a depth of 170 feet from the surface. The vein of ore is very large, but generally too poor to pay. Some small bodies of good ore have been encountered, but not enough to cover the expense of exploration. The future of the mine is not encouraging. The vein has the usual north and south course, and dips to the east at the same angle as the last, of which it is a known continuation. Two hundred and ninety-nine tons of ore have been extracted and milled during the present year, giving a gross yield of $10,831.63.

The Edgar, situated 500 feet south of the last-named mine, was prospected during 1870, by a perpendicular shaft, to a depth of 140 feet, and by a drift run in 30 feet east from the 100-foot level. Nothing was found, however, to encourage further expense, but the developments elsewhere along that line during the past year induced some parties to lease the property. They went to work some time in September, and have continued the 100 foot-level 40 feet further east. At a distance of 40 feet from the shaft they encountered a large body of excellent ore, through which they have continued the drift 30 feet without finding the end in that direction. The ore, as taken from the mine, yields $50 per ton. The present yield is 10 tons per day, which can, without doubt, be increased to 50 tons per day when the mine is properly opened. The vein appears to course north and south with the usual easterly dip. It is impossible to form any estimate of the size and importance of this newly discovered orebody, but it is evidently one of the largest and deepest yet found on Treas ure Hill.

Portage is situated 300 feet further south. A shaft was started from

the surface on the east wall of the spar-vein, with the expectation of finding the "ore-channel," which was supposed to be there from the developments made further south. A small quantity of low-grade ore was found 47 feet from the surface, but the property became involved in litigation with the Ward Beecher Consolidated, and work has been suspended since September.

The Ward Beecher Consolidated, 200 feet south of the last named, had a good body of ore during the summer, but this is now exhausted, except 20 feet, which are involved in litigation with the Ward Beecher South. An incline is, however, being sunk through a brecciated mass of black spar and quartz, with fair indications of ore. Two thousand four hundred and twenty-seven tons of ore have been extracted and worked during the year, giving a gross yield of $61,976.59.

The Ward Beecher (English company) is situated next south, and its ore-body connects with that in the last-named mine. The Ward Beecher includes within its works the Autumn No. 2, Red Rover, Montrose, and Colfax locations. No description can give any very clear idea of the underground workings of this mine. It is, perhaps, the bestmanaged piece of mining property in White Pine district. Every change in the appearance of the mine, as well as every fault and slip, is carefully noted and taken advantage of in the exploitation. The Earl portion of this mine was worked quite extensively and made considerable stir during the summer and autumn of 1869, but the ore-body apparently gave out, the mine was abandoned, and remained idle during the whole of 1870 and until June of the present year. About the last of that month the present owners commenced work in the old Earl chamber, and soon discovered that a slip or fault had occurred, the upper part of the vein having slid down the hill. A drift was accordingly started east from the old works, which encountered the main ore-body 30 feet from the starting-point. This part of the mine is now known as the Ladies' chamber. The body of ore in this chamber has been opened by shafts and drifts to a perpendicular depth of 122 feet from the surface; its greatest breadth, as far as known, is 150 feet from east to west. Its length from the Autumn chamber, with which it connects on the north, is something over 200 feet, and its southern limit has not been found, although a drift has been extended from the chamber 50 feet south, toward the Risdale chamber in the North Aurora mine. It is scarcely probable that so large an ore-body will be found to extend unbroken through the 600 feet of virgin ground that separates the two mines, although it is the general impression that they will finally connect.

The broken and disturbed character of the surface limestone fully warrants this conclusion; in fact, small quantities of mixed limestone and ore have been found in several shallow shafts sunk along the line. But a small portion of the immense ore-body exposed in this chamber has been extracted. The open space is 70 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 55 feet high. The Philpotts chamber is situated between the last described and the Ward Beecher Consolidated, with both of which it forms an ore-connection. Work was commenced on this portion of the mine during the summer of 1870, and 1,331 tons, giving a gross yield of $35,000, were extracted during the last quarter of that year. From the 1st of January to the 1st of October 9,706 tons were extracted, giving a gross yield of $496,223.64. The ore-body in this chamber was 35 feet in thickness from east to west and 200 feet long, the greatest depth reached being about 116 feet from the surface. The greater part of the deposit has been worked out to that depth, but the ore in the bottom of the works is as good as ever, though the body is somewhat narrower

than it was nearer the surface. The ore-body exposed in this mine, taken in connection with that in the Ward Beecher Consolidated, forms a continuous "ore-channel," about 500 feet in length from north to south, and the southern limit is not yet found. Several thousand tons of ore are broken and ready for hoisting, and the quantity exposed in the dif ferent workings is enormous; it cannot be less than 25,000 tons, even if the chimney should be found to terminate in length and depth within 10 feet from the present limits. The hoisting for this mine is done by means of a 20 horse-power engine, and the quantity delivered daily at the surface is 80 tons.

The North Aurora, situated next south, was worked extensively during 1868 and 1869, but remained idle during 1870, and was supposed to be exhausted. The explorations of the past summer have developed a large body of excellent ore only 4 feet below the east end of the tunnel belonging to the old works. This ore-body is situated about 100 feet north of the old works, and has been sunk upon to a depth of 60 feet from the surface. A drift has been driven north through good ore 100 feet, and another east 30 feet, without encountering the line-wall. The quantity of ore exposed in this chamber is estimated at 15,000 tons. Seventy tons of ore are daily shipped by tramway since the 1st of November.

The South Aurora, lying next south, has been actively worked since 1868, and has yielded a large quantity of ore, but it is now apparently exhausted. Prospecting is, however, being vigorously prosecuted, but so far without success. The greatest depth attained in this mine is 225 feet from the surface. The present indications for deeper ore-bodies are not as favorable as might be desired. At the greatest depth the mate rial encountered was brecciated limestone and spar with some quartz. The amount of ore extracted from the South Aurora mine during the year 1871 is given by Mr. B. N. Lilienthal, the chemist of the Stanford Mill, where the ore was worked, as 5,7651775 tons, which yielded $148,804.60 in fine bullion.

2000

The mines above named are all supposed to be on the great north and south ore channel, and form a continuous chain of locations nearly one mile in length. From the Hidden Treasure to the South Aurora there are only two noticeable breaks in the continuity of the ore. The orebody early found in the Hidden Treasure continues through the Silver Wave and to the Edgar, a total distance of about 1,000 feet, The most of this ore, however, is of too low grade to pay at present. From the Edgar south to the Ward Beecher Consolidated, traces of ore have been found near the surface, but the only shaft in that distance has been sunk only 60 feet, and has probably stopped at least 40 feet short of the depth of the main channel. The second great ore-body extends from the Ward Beecher Consolidated 500 feet south into the north part of the North Aurora ground. South of this lie 600 feet of unprospected ground. Several shallow shafts, however, have shown traces of ore near the surface, and the prospect is good that ore will be found extending south to the Risdale shaft, the locality of the Aurora deposit. The third and last ore-body formerly extended from the Risdale shaft in the North Aurora to the O'Neil grade, a total distance of 600 feet, but the South Aurora seems now exhausted.

The Eberhardt has been but little worked during the present year. A new prospecting-shaft has been sunk to a depth of 180 feet from the surface, without encountering a new ore-body. Only 500 tons of ore have been extracted from the old works and reduced during the year.

The Indianapolis is situated 800 feet south of the Eberhardt. It has one shaft 80 feet deep, and a drift from the bottom 15 feet east in low

grade ore. A drift has also been run 20 feet east at a depth of 30 feet, and another north 60 feet from the same level, all in ore worth $25 per ton.'

The Sharp mine was discovered in February last, while grading the foundation for station 20 on the tramway. Several tons of good ore have been mined, but the title is disputed, and the property will probably have to lie idle for some time.

The Grant and Colfax and Eureka have been worked but little during the year. Very extensive bodies of low-grade ore are exposed. The Bourbon has been worked most of the year on lease. It was sold early in the summer to a company located at Erie, Pennsylvania. The Genesee has been worked to a depth of nearly 200 feet from the surface. The shaft is still sinking.

The Noonday has one shaft 140 feet deep, in which the owners claim to have encountered a well-defined vein of ore, 8 feet thick.

The Iceberg, south, is yielding considerable ore at a depth of 30 feet from the surface.

The General Lee has yielded some good ore during the year.

The Pocatillo has a tunnel running west on a vertical vein. It is in about 300 feet toward the Ward Beecher.

The Virginia has been worked during most of the season, and 287 tons of ore, giving a gross yield of $14,523, have been extracted.

From the Silver Plate, situated northwest of Hamilton, 115 tons, giv ing a gross yield of $4,768.33, have been extracted and reduced during

the year.

The Great Western, situated west of the Eberhardt, is owned by an English company, who have sunk two shafts, 80 feet deep, in limestone, with the vain hope of finding the west extension of the Eberhardt orebody.

The Caspian has an incline 190 feet deep, a drift west from the bottom of the incline 60 feet, and one 40 feet in spar, with some quartz. The owners are still driving west toward the summit of Treasure Hill. The Asbury, situated in the cañon east of the Eberhardt mine, has a tunnel 400 feet in length. The main tunnel is under contract to be run West 100 feet further; there are also two cross-drifts of 100 feet each in length to be run.

The Featherstone is situated west of Hamilton. It has been worked considerably during the year. Only 30 tons of ore, giving a gross yield of $1,005.50, have, however, been extracted.

The Blair and Banner, Mahogany Cañon, has been worked on lease during most of the year. It has yielded 1734 tons of ore, worth

$11,881.40.

In the Glazier a good body of fair ore has been exposed during the year. Work is suspended for the present.

The Caroline, Mount Ophir, has been worked quite extensively, and partly on lease. The vein is small, seldom exceeding one foot in thickness, but contains exceedingly rich ore, which is, however, refractory. The course of the ore-channel is north and south, and it appears to stand vertically.

A late communication of Mr. Brown informs me that there is but little that is worthy of note in mining affairs since he sent his report in November. The unusually severe weather experienced ever since the 20th of December had almost wholly suspended mining operations. A limited amount of prospecting work had, however, been carried on in localities where the conditions were favorable, and some new bodies of good ore had been brought to light.

The most important developments had been made in the Silver Plate mine, situated about one mile northwest of Hamilton, in the low foothills, a short distance east of the Truckee mine. The formation in this locality bears a strong resemblance to that near the Hidden Treasure, Sheboygan, and other mines at the north end of Treasure Hill. The ore is found lying between a limestone foot-wall and a slate or shale hanging. wall. Both walls are smooth and well defined, and lightly striated. The deposit has the appearance of being a sheet deposit, but probably further developments will disprove the theory, as it has in all the mines on the hill occupying a corresponding position. The ore-body exposed in the present workings is something over 100 feet in length, and from 4 to 7 feet in thickness, most of it of very fair grade, 75 tons lately milled having yielded at the rate of $80 per ton.

A new and apparently large body of excellent ore has recently been encountered in the Ward Beecher Consolidated, 30 feet east of the old works and at a slightly increased depth.

Ward Beecher South has materially improved during the last month. A new chamber has been opened 100 feet south of the Ladies' chamber. Its present dimensions are 60 feet in length by 30 feet in width and 40 feet in height. The ore-body developed in this mine, taken in connection with the Earl and Ward Beecher Consolidated, of which it forms a part, shows a continuous ore-channel over 700 in length, by an average thick ness of about 60 feet, depth unknown, at 160 feet perpendicularly from the surface. This is the greatest depth yet attained. The ore yields as well as nearer to the surface, and from appearances may continue in that direction indefinitely. This deposit has yielded something over 25,000 tons of ore since it was first discovered in the Earl chamber, of an average value of something over $40 per ton, or, in round numbers, $1,000,000. The present yield is 50 tons of $50 ore daily.

The Aurora North has developed the finest body of ore at present worked in the district. The mill assay for the last month has run from $78 per ton to $128; present yield 40 tons per day; greatest depth attained in ore, 73 feet. The ore from the two last-named mines is transported to the mill by tramway at a cost of 65 cents per ton. The cost of mining per ton is estimated at $7 and milling at $8.

I have been furnished with the following detailed description of the Stanford Mill, and with an account of the mode of working, and the results obtained up to the middle of November, by Mr. B. N. Lilienthal, the chemist of the establishment.

The 30-stamp Stanford Mill, designed and built under the supervision of William H. Patton, esq., in 1869, at Eberhardt City, White Pine County, Nevada, consists of one main building, 58 by 164 feet, to which the engine and boiler building in the shape of an L, or a wing 38 by 42 feet, is attached.

The main building is subdivided as follows:

58 by 24 feet, ore-house.

58 by 16 feet, drying-room.

58 by 48 feet, battery-room.

58 by 60 feet, pan-room.

58 by 16 feet, retort and melting room.

The fall of the mill between dump-boards and tail-race is 44 feet, divided as follows:

8 feet between dump-boards and ore-house floor.

8 feet between ore-house floor and drier.

24 feet between drier-battery and floor.

13 feet between battery and pan-room floors.