REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 1898 r87 



would be susceptible to amalgamation in pajin^ quantities, is a 

 question which remains for the people interested in this process to 

 explain, before the scientific world, whose confidence rests implicitly 

 on the accuracy of the fire assay, will credit their theory. 



The laboratory at Glens Falls 



This company operates an experimental laboratory at Glens Falls. 

 Here is located a small plant on the same principles as the commer- 

 cial mill at Hadley, in which are tested the samples of sand from the 

 various localities the company is investigating. Ores received from 

 persons outside are also tested. 



The laboratory receives from the United States mint at Phila- 

 delphia the "sweeps" after they have been assayed at the mint. 

 These consist of the sweepings from the floors and chimneys, the 

 broken crucibles and cupels, and everything that has been in contact 

 with the precious metals. These materials are saved, and are 

 treated to recover the minute particles of gold and silver which 

 adhere to them. After the mint has recovered all the value that 

 can be economically saved, the refuse is turned over to this com- 

 pany, and is treated by its process to recover farther values. Jnst 

 what results are obtained from the " sweeps " was not stated. 



One sample of sand from the mine at Hadley that v/as tested here 

 is reported to have shown a value of $34 a ton, and a sample from 

 Essex county was reported to carry $1.11 worth of silver and a little 

 over $27 worth of gold a ton. 



The curiosity and interest aroused by the operations of this com- 

 pany, aided by the excitement produced by the exaggerated accounts 

 of the gold discoveries in the region of the "Klondyke", are 

 chiefly responsible for the 3000 claims for gold and silver properties 

 that have been filed with the secretary of state of 'New York during 

 the past two years. Most of these claims refer to sand, or " placer " 

 properties, and most of them are located in the counties of Saratoga, 

 Essex, Fulton, Herkimer, Warren and Lewis. At some localities 

 the sand areas are almost entirely covered by claims, so intense has 

 the latent interest become. A large number of claims are held by 

 parties directly interested in the " Sutphen process ". 



