12 THE PROSPECTOR'S HANDBOOK. 



of more intrinsic worth than a vein of pure silver, having 

 the thickness of a knife blade, in another. 



In brief, the character and quality of ore, as well as the 

 probability of the continuity of the lode, the location of the 

 mining claim, the number of acres of available fuel and 

 timber within reach, the proximity and quantity of water, 

 every expense attendant on carriage, smelting operations, ' 

 &c., should be considered in detail before the development 

 of any single mine merits commencement, in order to turn 

 out a profitable concern. It has been said that in the world 

 there are ten unprofitable mines to one profitable ; so let no 

 one take the trouble to dive into the above considerations 

 until he really believes that there is " payable stuff" to be 

 dug out of his " claim " ; let him avoid the habit of reckon- 

 ing the value of a property from a few picked specimens. 



