THE USE BOOK. 47 



If active mining operations are being conducted on the claim 

 and ore is being marketed, and the general outlook indicates a 

 bona fide mine, a close examination will not be necessary. The 

 Forest officer should, in such cases, report the facts generally, 

 after going through the mine. 



Where the validity of the discovery is doubtful, a more careful 

 examination should be made. It is not necessary that the claim 

 should be a paying mine. If vajviable mineral has been found 

 and the nature of its ^occurrence would justify working the 

 ground, the discovery would be legal and valid. 



To determine whether or not such a discovery has been made, 

 the Forest officer should proceed as follows: 



The general character of the country and the distance from 

 paying mines should be stated. The entire claim should be 

 examined for mineral. 



The method of working the claim, as well as water power and 

 transportation facilities, should be ascertained when possible. 



In selecting the dirt for panning or ore for samples, the officer 

 should rely upon his own judgment, and should consider, but not 

 necessarily follow, the suggestion of the. claimant. Special care 

 should be taken to avoid salted samples. 



Answers should be given, whenever possible, to each question 

 on Form (154. If more space is needed, an additional sheet may 

 be used and attached to the form. The answer to question 30 

 of the form should show whether the claim is used for any pur- 

 pose other than mining and in what manner. 



Reports should be made separately on each claim of a group, 

 and when work on one claim is alleged to develop others, the 

 extent and plan of development with relation to each should 

 be shown. 



Pans, hammers, picks, and crowbars are considered Forest 

 equipment where needed under this order, and may be purchased. 



If the field force on any Forest have not the necessary scien- 

 tific and practical knowledge, mineral experts will be sent to 

 make special examination, especially in cases which involve 

 large areas of land and seriously jeopardize National Forest 



