No. 50.] 
28> 
In order to obtain a correct conception of the amount of ore on the 
Sandford hill, we may estimate its solid contents, or if we merely es- 
timate the amount of ore at the depth of 2 feet from the surface, we 
shall find that it amounts to at least 6,832,734 tons, a large proportion 
of which may be removed or raised without the use of powder. This 
amount of ore will produce at least 3,000,000 tons of iron of the best 
quality, and cannot be worth less than from $100 to $120 per ton in 
the market. 
SECTION XV. 
Natural advantages for raising the Sandford Ore. 
After what has been said of this remarkable vein of the magnetic 
oxide, little need be added in relation to the advantages it presents for 
exploration. It will be understood that it is easy of access, and that 
there are no natural obstructions to be overcome in approaching the 
vein, and that it, in one sense, lies open and exposed, as it were, to 
the light of day, as there is nothing to be removed but a light soil, ex- 
cepting occasionally boulders, which have been transported here in 
former times. 
The western edge of the vein is 200 feet at least above the lake, 
and it rises rapidly towards the east, so that its eastern limit is proba- 
bly 600 feet above the lake. A large proportion of the vein is, there- 
fore, situated above the waters of the lake, and under circumstances 
as favorable for drainage as can be desired. Water will, therefore, 
form no obstacle to mining or quarrying the ore. Again, in conduct- 
ing the ore to the lake, or even to the works, the surface of the ground 
is such that a gradual descent may be obtained. In fact there can be 
no occasion for raising the ore over any elevation of ground. So favo- 
rable is the location, that after it is raised, it may be rolled downwards 
on cars or carriages, for transportation to the lake, or to the works di- 
rectly. Again, the ore being unmixed with rock, no labor need be lost 
in removing worthless stone ; and, as much surface may be at once 
exposed, all the operations will be conducted in open daylight for a 
great length of time. In addition to the advantages which this vein 
presents for working, I may state that of its fissile character, or its 
natural separation into layers ; hence masses are frequently readily de- 
tached by the aid of the bar alone, especially near the surface. 
It is obvious, that the true method of working this vein, is to com- 
mence on a line with the pure ore, or as far down the western slope 
