STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 331 



number of the miDes are brought to a productive stage, and secure it 

 against a relapse. 



COAL. 



As gold and silver have been denominated the precious metals, so coal 

 is justly entitled to be called a precious mineral, since, viewed in the 

 light of its practical utility and the requirements of the future, it is of 

 more importance to mankind than either of these much coveted metals. 

 Already the great jjromoter of manufactures and commerce, it will soon 

 become the helper also of our agricultural and more domestic industries. 

 What has been popularly considered coal, being often a species of lig- 

 nite, has been found at a number of different places both in this State 

 and in the adjoining States and Territories. The principal places where 

 true coal in quantity has been found within the limits of our own terri- 

 tor}^ are at Beilingham Bay and in Mount Diablo; at which localities it 

 has for a number of j'cars been mined with considerable success. It is 

 of a bituminous variety, and is found to constitute a desirable fuel both 

 for domestic uses and the generation of steam, being largely employed at 

 present for both purposes, and constantly growing in favor. The con- 

 sumption, now large, is yearly increasing, and to that extent superseding 

 the imported article. The following statements of receipts from various 

 mines during the past year will serve to indicate their productive capaci- 

 ties and the annual consumption of this class of coal. During the year 

 eighteen hundred and sixty-five, there was received at the port of San 

 Francisco from Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, about eighteen thousand 

 tons; from Beilingham Bay. fourteen thousand four hundred and forty- 

 six tons ; and from Mount Diablo a total of fifty-eight thousand five hun- 

 bred and fifty-eight tons, being fourteen thousand nine hundred and three 

 tons from the Black Diamond Mine; twenty-three thousand six hundred 

 and fifty-five tons from the Eureka; eleven thousand five hundred tons 

 from the Union; eight thousand five hundred tons from the Manhattan. 

 From the Teutonia and the Central, no returns, the latter driving in tun- 

 nel ; the Pittsburg, worked only for a j5ortion of the time, the company 

 being engaged in laying down a railroad for the transportation of their 

 coal to the Bay. From Nanaimo there was received for eighteen hun- 

 dred and sixty-four, twelve thousand seven hundred and forty-five tons; 

 from Beilingham Bay about ten thousand tons; and from Mount Diablo 

 fifty thousand six hundred and ninety-five tons, which latter sold that 

 year at prices ranging from eight dollars and fifty cents to nine dollars 

 per ton, and the past year at from eight dollars to eight dollars and fifty 

 cents per ton ; while the Beilingham Bay for eighteen hundred and sixty- 

 four varied from nine dollars to sixteen dollars per ton; and for eighteen 

 hundred and sixty-five, uniform price, eleven dollars to eleven dollars 

 and fifty cents per ton. From the Fuca Strait mines only about five hun- 

 dred tons have been received, the company having disincorporated. 

 The price obtained for this coal was about eleven dollars per ton. 



For fuller details as to the yield of the several mines on this coast, 

 our statistical colums may be consulted. A large amount of capital has 

 been invested in the mines at Mount Diablo and Beilingham Bay, both 

 of which are in the hands of parties having substantial means, who are 

 opening them with system and care. The quality of the coal improves 

 as greater depths are reached in the mines, causing it to increase in favor 

 with consumers; and there is not much doubt but these companies, 

 already able to supply every home demand, will ultimately monopolize 

 the home market. 



