53 



being careful that these samples are taken from the vein that is being opened 

 up, and have not been brought from elsewhere. These samples need not weigh 

 more than 1 to 3 pounds each ; they should be carefully wrapped and the 

 wrapper labeled with the name and location of the claim, the name and address 

 of the claimant and of the officer examining the claim, the date of the exami- 

 nation, and each package should be numbered, the number being also entered 

 in the field notebook. 



5. Notes should be made at once and the samples should be referred to in the 

 notes by number, description, color, and name, if known, of the rock containing 

 the mineral. This will assist the officer in making his report. 



6. The samples of ore after being wrapped and the package after being 

 labeled should be stored, if possible, under lock and key. 



7. Immediately upon being notified that a hearing has been ordered upon 

 the claim by the .Commissioner of the General Land Office, the Supervisor 

 should send the samples by express, charges prepaid, to the assayer of the 

 mint at Denver, Colo., Deadwood, S. Dak., Carson City, Nev., or Seattle, Wash., 

 whichever city may be most easily accessible to his Forest, or to such other 

 address as may be supplied hereafter. The charge for expressage, supported by 

 the proper subvoucher, should be submitted in the Supervisor's next expense 

 account, charging it to the allotment for protection. The Supervisor should 

 inform the assayer by letter of the shipment, give the same description of the 

 samples used upon the label, request him to make the assay and give an 

 assay certificate for the use of the Forest Service, and inform him, if possible, 

 on what date the certificate will be used. 



(&) In placer claims: 



The forest officer should search for the discovery shaft, pit, or tunnel which 

 the owner may have made for discovery of minerals ; pan some of the dirt in 

 each of them, and record the results. Several pannings should be made in each 

 excavation. 



He should endeavor to discover the claimed nature of the alleged placer de- 

 posit and should, if possible, verify or dispute this theory by his report, giving 

 his reasons. 



(c) In both classes of claims : 



1. The general character of the country should be stated and the distance 

 from paying mines ascertained. The entire tract embraced in the claim should 

 be examined for mineral indications. 



2. The method of possible work of the claim, as well as water power and 

 transportation facilities, should be ascertained when possible. 



3. In selecting the dirt for panning or ore for samples the officer should rely 

 upon his own judgment, considering, but not necessarily following, the sugges- 

 tion of the. claimant. Special care should be taken to avoid imposition or 

 salting. 



4. Answers should be given, whenever possible, to each question on Form 654. 

 It contains spaces on which the information secured under this order may gen- 

 erally be reported, but 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 purpose other than mining and in what man- 

 ner. 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 develop- 

 ment with relation to each should be shown. 



5. Pans, hammers, picks, and crowbars are considered forest equipment where 

 needed under this order and may be purchased. 



6. If the field force on the Forest have not the requisite scientific and practical 

 knowledge, mineral experts will be sent to make a special examination in cases 



