404 MINING INDUSTET. 



the Belmont claim ; the other half from the southern part of the claim, or 

 so-called Transylvania. During the writer's visit the mill was not crushing 

 ore, as the mine was not producing, for reasons already stated. The pans 

 were at work on tailings, of which there was a large accumulation on hand. 

 These tailings assay from $30 to $50 per ton, and yield, under the simple 

 process of the pan, about $10 per ton, the cost of treatment being $7. 



The region about Belmont possesses very many natural advantages as a 

 mining district, and, in this respect, is one of the most attractive locations in 

 the State. The hills bear a liberal growth of nut-pine and cedar, with some 

 mahogany, affording large supplies of fuel. "Wood costs from $4 to $5 per 

 cord, and the price can hardly increase very much for some years to come. 

 Some large timber can also be found in the surrounding hills, supplying 

 mining timbers, while saw-mills are established and are furnishing a rough 

 quality of lumber. Water is abundant for present purposes, and it is said that 

 the supply can be very greatly increased from the streams of neighboring 

 canons by means of ditches or aqueducts, a few miles in length, whenever 

 the demand exceeds the amount furnished from the present sources. The 

 town itself is agreeably located, handsomely laid out, provided with banks, 

 assay offices, newspapers, mails, telegraphs, schools, and the other appoint- 

 ments of civilization. This district, like many others in this part of the State, 

 has been very much neglected since the exciting developments were made at 

 White Pine. Late in 1868 a large proportion of the population moved to the 

 scene of the new discoveries, leaving the town and its neighboring mines 

 almost entirely deserted. In 1869 there was but very little work in progress; 

 although it is believed that the district not only possesses some good veins 

 but also some unusual advantages, as compared with neighboring localities, in 

 its supplies of wood, timber, water, &c. 



South of Belmont, both in an easterly and westerly direction, there are 

 several mining districts in which important developments have been made. 

 They lie beyond the limits of the field of observation marked out for this 

 report and could not be conveniently visited by the writer. Information con- 

 cerning some of them will be found in the reports of J. Koss Browne, esq., 



