Macfarlane on the Acton Cojyper Mine, 471 



winter months. For instance, the total produce during July, 

 August and September last, was, — 



994|f If tons in all, or 331 tons monthly. 



With regard to the future of the mine, I see no reason to 

 doubt that it will be as successful as its past; provided always 

 that a due amount of prospective work is done, and that arrange- 

 meuts are made for saving freight, and increasmg the value of the 

 poorer ores, by smelting the products of the mine on the spot. 

 To this must of course be added prudent and economical manage- 

 ment, without which even the richest mines yield little profit. 



In conclusion, I have to remark, that it may seem to some, that 

 in the foregoing, I have been unnecessarily minute. I have, how- 

 ever, thought myself justified ingoing into detail, by the altogether 

 exceptional character of the deposit. As far as I am aware, there 

 is no instance known of a mineral deposit bearing even a moderate 

 resemblance, in its various relations and characters, to that of the 

 Acton Mine ; and, consequently, it is impossible to draw on any 

 stock of experience gained elsewhere, for guidance in exploring it. 

 That the future of the mine may be successful, and its permanency 

 established, no fact, however seemingly trivial, observed in its ear- 

 lier working ought to be regarded as unimportant. That other 

 deposits of a similar nature may yet be discovered in the district 

 is not impossible ; and in the working of such, the experience 

 gained at Acton may not be altogether valueless. For these 

 reasons I have, in the foregoing paper, mentioned details and 

 minutite, which few may find useful ; but at the same time I trust 

 there will be found in it matter of more general interest. 



Actonvale, Canada East, 28th October, 1862. 



