THE USE BOOK. 45 



An applicant making false affidavit is guilty of per- 

 jury. He will be punished as provided by law for such 

 offense, and all conveyances of the land, or of any right, 

 title, or claim thereto are absolutely null and void as 

 against the United States. 



Forest officers will direct their examination of timber 

 and stone claims to the truth of the allegations in the 

 sworn statements. 



MINIXd CLAIMS. 



Mineral lands within National Forests may be freely 

 prospected, located, developed, and patented in accord- 

 ance with the mining laws and National Forest regula- 

 tions. (Appendix, p. 216.) 



Any recognized minernl m^hstanrp. if found in suffi-^ 

 cient quantity, will warrant entry under the mining 

 laws for example, building stone, china or fire clay, 

 coal, limestone, oil, slate, etc., but not brick clay, sand, 

 or graVeir^(ltppendix, ^>. 283.) 



It is the policy of the Government to favor the de- 

 velopment of mines of gold and silver and other metals, 

 and every facility is afforded for that purpose; but it 

 requires faithful compliance with the conditions stipu- 

 lated. There must be a valid discovery of mineral and 

 a sufficient exploration of the ground to show it be- 

 yond question. (Appendix pp. 281-284.) 



When application for patent is made it must appear 

 that the land contains enough mineral to warrant 

 its disposal under the mining laws. The character of 

 the land is the primary question in determining whether 

 a mining claim is valid. If the applicant has had ample 



