prindle]       GOLD    PLACERS    OF    FAIRBANKS    DISTRICT,   ALASKA.  73 
These  rocks  are  mostly  schists,  often  containing  small  quartz  stringers, 
and  the  fact  that  igneous  rocks  are  associated  with  them  suggests  the 
possible  relationship  of  these  to  the  mineralization. 
The  pay  is  generally  found  at  a  considerable  depth,  and,  with  a  few 
exceptions,  in  frozen  ground.  The  creeks  are  small,  carrying  hardly 
sufficient  water  for  extensive  operations,  and  their  grade  is  low. 
Timber  for  mining  purposes  has  to  be  freighted  generally  for  sev- 
eral miles  from  the  lower  valleys.  Trails  along  the  ridges  are  good, 
and  where  they  traverse  the  wooded  areas  have  been  well  cut  out,  but 
the  sight  of  heavy  loads  hauled  by  horses  on  sleds  over  the  swampy 
ground  along  the  creeks  is  an  eloquent  illustration  of  the  need  of  good 
roads. 
Although  no  large  values  have  yet  been  discovered,  the  gold  seems 
to  have  a  considerable  distribution  on  the  creeks  where  it  has  been 
found  and  is  known  to  occur  at  some  localities  in  sufficient  quantity 
to  pay  for  working  under  existing  unfavorable  conditions.  The  Fair- 
banks district  deserves  consideration,  and  with  better  means  of  com- 
munication and  supplies  at  more  reasonable  prices  the  development 
will  be  greatly  hastened. 
