CENTEAL AND EASTEEN NEVADA. 441 



and numerous deposits of lead have been opened. At the date of the writer's 

 visit to White Pine none of these had been sufficiently developed to afford 

 very decisive evidence as to their nature and extent. 



The deposits then appeared in the form of masses or pockets of ore, dis- 

 tributed irregularly in the limestone. Some of them had furnished consider- 

 able quantities of ore, but all trom near the surface. The ore consists chiefly 

 of the oxide and carbonate of lead, containing from 50 to 60 percent, of metal, 

 with an average of 50 ounces of fine silver to the ton of metal obtained. 



Several smelting furnaces were built in the vicinity during the past year, 

 most of them being of an experimental character. At Mosheimer's establish- 

 ment, in Swansea, there are two furnaces, one of which has the capacity to 

 treat 20 tons of ore daily. This is a simple shaft or blast-furnace, built of 

 sandstone that is found in the vicinity, and said to be excellent material for the 

 purpose. The work had not been long in progress, but, according to Mr. 

 Keyes, the metallurgist of the establishment, the average yield of ore, thus far 

 treated, was, as above stated, aboat 50 per cent, of metal, carrying 50 ounces 

 of silver to the ton. The metal, when obtained, is shipped to San Francisco, 

 where the lead was then said to be worth about $90 per ton, and the con- 

 tained silver, unseparated. Si per ounce. Several small lots of lead had been 

 shipped, at the time referred to, amounting in all, so far as the writer could 

 learn, to 25 or 30 tons. Newspaper statements place the value of metal ship- 

 ped from the Base Range, from the commencement of operations to January 

 1, 1870, at $50,000. 



Fuel and Water. — The supply of fuel in the district has been already 

 referred to. White Pine Mountain and the hills of the surrounding country 

 possess what, for that country, may be considered an abundant growth of 

 timber. Saw-mills are established, and a fair quality of lumber is produced, 

 that sells at about $100 per thousand feet. Fuel is cheap, considering its cost 

 in many other districts of the State, being supplied to mills at $5 50 to $6 

 per cord. 



The supply of water in the immediate vicinity of Treasure Hill is very 



limited. In some of the neighboring canons there are streams and springs, 



affording water to mills located near them; but until the pumping works of 



the White Pine Water Company began operations, there was considerable 

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