Cruson & Co. Gravel and hydraulic. A good claim, and worked when water can be obtained. A small, five-stamp steam-mill is used in connection with this claim. Hancock & Salter, at the extreme west end of this ridge, have a most excellent hydraulic claim; bank about 90 feet. They have taken out several thousand dollars the last year. There is also a large amount of gold on their bed-rock not cleaned up. There are many claims located in this vicinity which are not worked, but are known to be valuable, and will be worked as soon as water can be had for that purpose.

What we most need here is a ditch of sufficient size to give us plenty of water for mining eight months in the year. It is to be hoped that Government will donate land for that purpose, and that we may have a ditch that will throw 10,000 inches of water into this mining locality ere long. Such a ditch would be of incalculable benefit to the community.

Quartz is not worked to a very great extent in this district. Shephard & Co. have a 10-stamp mill within the city limits, water-power, and a ledge near the mill. They constructed the mill about two years ago. The first fifteen months the rock paid $18 per ton. The last nine months they have been sinking on the ledge and getting out rock, the mill being idle.

The Pacific mill and mine near Shephard's is at present idle. A 10-stamp steam-. power mill is upon the ground of the company. This mine has yielded more than $480,00, and was very profitable to the original owners, but for a number of years it has not been worked. One shaft is down 320 feet. Water is troublesome. This property has lately changed hands, having been sold to a company who are preparing to work it at an early day.

On the north side of the city, and on the west of Quartz Hill, is situated the Harmon mine and mill; 10-stamps; steam-power. The Harmon is considered a good mine, but has been badly managed, and no work is being done at present on it.

Quartz Hill is about one mile in length, commencing on the north side of Hangtown Creek, and terminating at Big Cañon, and is about one third of a mile in width, with an elevation of about 500 feet above the cañon. Much of this hill is composed of barren quartz, although small veins are found intermixed with porphyry which are exceedingly rich in gold. About eighteen months ago a vein of this description was found on the east side, near Big Cañon, which has since been worked with much success, more than $50,000 having been taken out within the last year by Lemon & Hodge, Alsburge & Lewis, and Fisk, the last named being the discoverer of the lead. The gold is found in narrow seams of quartz, and usually the richest where other veins intersect the main vein, running north and south. The rock taken out is laid aside for milling, except the richest specimens, which are pounded in a hand-mortar, and often produce thousands of dollars from a day's pounding. Frequently a quarter or third of the weight is gold.

Poverty Point, lying north of Big Cañon, has produced considerable gold from broken and irregular veins of quartz, similar, although not as rich as that found on Quartz Hill. At one time-about nine years ago-five steam quartz-mills were in operation on this point, which is about one and a half miles square, but at present there are none, the owners having removed them to other localities.

The U. S. Grant mine (with mill, 10 stamps, steam-power,) about nine miles east of Placerville, is said to be a good ledge, but is not worked at the present time. Miners' wages average about $2.50 per day, boarding themselves.

The amount of gold taken out in the district of country above named, for 1871, will be at least $50,000 per month, or $600,000 for the year.

Daring the year 1870, Wells, Fargo & Co. shipped from this office (Placerville) $473,015. Within this district is the Coloma office, which ships considerable dust; besides which many persons carry large amounts of dust to the mint or assay offices. It is well known that Chinamen lay aside all specimens that come into their hands, to take with them when they return to China, preferring the native gold to United States coinage. A number of lots in this city are now being worked over by Chinamen, the buildings having been taken down, or the ground under them being worked out, and the buildings sustained by props and posts until again filled in. Large sums are frequently mined out by the Chinese from these lots.

DEEP PLACERS OF EL DORADO COUNTY.

The following able report on the deep placers of El Dorado County was prepared for the California Water Company by Mr. M. D. Fairchild. I am indebted to Messrs. Cronise and Crossman for a copy of the report. Tunnel Hill.-Tunnel Hill, so called because pierced by the Pilot Creek ditch, is a high ridge, extending from Bald Mountain to the junction of Pilot Creek with the South Fork of the Middle Fork of the American River, the former-named stream flanking its northeastern base for sev

eral miles. Higher by several hundred feet than the lateral ridges of the main Sierra which lie east of it, and which it cuts at right angles, it is a marked feature of the region. Its western declension is quite abrupt, and its side is seamed by depressions, small ravines constituting the sources of Otter Cañon, and Rock Creek, the latter into the South Fork of the American. These streams, as their volume has increased in their flow toward the west, have formed deep gorges, and but a mile or two from the western base of Tunnel Hill we again find lateral ridges shooting out from it and running with an easterly and westerly trend as distinctive as in the higher region.

"Ancient river"-beds. Immediately at the foot of Tunnel Hill, upon its western side, occur immense beds of auriferous gravel. These have a general course of north and south, lie in nearly parallel deposits with each other, at short intervals, and extend many miles to the westward. Their characteristics and general features leave no doubt but they are identical with and a continuation of that "ancient river"-bed system which traverses the counties of Placer, Nevada, and Sierra on the north, and the results of which, as shown by the workings at Todd's Valley, Forest Hill, Yankee Jim's, Sarahsville, Michigan Bluffs, Dutch Flat, Red Dog, Nevada, North San Juan, Forest City, Camptonville, Minnesota, and other places, where the more modern hydraulic appliances have been brought into requisition, have added such vast quantities of the precious metal to the commerce of the world within the past twenty years.

Though these gravel-beds have been pretty thoroughly tested, and are known to be rich in gold, for the past ten years they have been but little worked, solely on account of a lack of water; and the introduction of that element in sufficient quantities to justifythe fitting up of proper hydraulic works along the lines of these detrital channels, will be the dawn of an era of unexampled prosperity, both to those who introduce it, and those who apply it to the gathering of gold, and a mining furore will be created throughout the State, unequaled for many years.

The underlying rock throughout this entire locality is that which is known by the common appellation of "auriferous" or "metamorphic" slates, and is intricately seamed with veins of quartz, large and small, to which, no doubt, the detrital deposits are in a large measure indebted for the gold they contain; but as these seams of quartz in the slate have in this section formed a new feature in mining, that branch will be noted hereafter under an appropriate head. Here will be given a brief description of a number of the gravel-beds lying between the head branches of Otter Creek and the Middle Fork of the American, which the waters of the California Water Company's canal will command, and which the anxious miner is waiting to develop.

Kelly's Diggings. The locality of these mines is thus designated because discovered and superficially worked by a man named Kelly, a number of years ago. The openings made are not extensive, and the gravel, when washed off, shows a depth, from surface to bed-rock, of not more than six feet, and appears to be the extreme eastern edge of the auriferous zone found below Tunnel Hill. Its extent south, so far as known, is the bank of the north branch of Otter Creek, whence it runs, northerly with a westerly inclination until it mingles with a larger deposit finding its way to the south branch of the Middle Fork of the American-as far as we have need of following it at present. The area washed off is, perhaps, four to five acres in extent. The gold was pretty generally diffused through the gravel, top to bottom, and it paid (according to Kelly's statement) from $15 to $20 per day to the hand employed,

while washing. As before stated, it seems to be on the edge of the paying belt, for shafts sunk close by disclose the existence of a channel ranging in depth from 30 to 80 feet, one-fourth of a mile wide, and two miles in length, south to north. Upon the introduction of water, several large hydraulics will be employed.

Bell's Diggings.-Next west of Kelly's is a gravel-range, upon which an opening has been made, known in former days as Bell's Diggings. It lies at the extreme head of Missouri Cañon, a large branch of Otter Creek. It has been prospected by tunnel and many shafts; found to be rich, but not worked to any extent, as there was no water to be had. This gravel-bed is supposed to be wide and have some connection with the Kelly deposit at its outlet toward the river at the north, and also to blend with the Kentucky Flat channel at its southern extremity, that is, running diagonally from one to the other of these two parallel channels. When opportunity offers, hydraulics will be brought to bear against it.

Kentucky Flat.-Next we arrive at an extensive drift-channel, running almost continuously in an unbroken course from south to north for a distance of about five miles, having an average width of three-quarters of a mile, mingling with the Mount Gregory gravel-ridge lying upon the south bill-side of the Middle Fork of the American River, the latter ridge appearing to be distinct from the others, and running from east to west.

The gravel-range upon which is located Kentucky Flat includes many other diggings, known as Bowlder and Tipton Hills, &c., and as it is proper that they should be mentioned separately, this paragraph will refer particularly to the diggings lying between the north branch of Otter Creek and Missouri Cañon. The first of these are those belonging to A. J. Wilton & Co., which have been prospected to considerable extent, and are known to be rich. The extreme southern end has been washed off, and large quantities of gold extracted. At this point the deposit was not deep, averaging, perhaps, 10 feet; but further north the bed-rock declines, while the deposit thickens until it cannot be less than 100 feet, average depth, throughout the greater portion of the claim. One tunnel pierces the gravel for a length of 1,000 feet, and an opening has been made near the mouth of this for hydraulic washings, but, from lack of water, nothing but the merest superficial workings have been carried on here for two years. The width of this deposit is about one-quarter of a mile at this point, but widens thence both north and south. One thousand inches of water will be required at this claim alone. North, a little more than a mile, upon the south bank of Missouri Cañon, this channel has been opened by Messrs. Knight & Jones, thoroughly prospected by them, is of great depth, and now waits the introduction of the much-needed water for its successful and remunerative working. Here, where these drift-channels have crossed the gorge of Missouri Cañon, and intersected the Mount Gregory Ridge, they seem to trend toward the west, along the southern base of that mountain, and form a distinct parallel deposit with the main one in that ridge, and it is perhaps better to note such under a separate head, which will follow under the designation of "Mount Gregory." By survey, the rim-rock at Knight & Jones's claim has been found to be 100 feet lower than at the openings of Wilton & Co., at Kentucky Flat. From this deposit, west to the junction of Missouri Cañon with Otter Creek, there are many small cañons, with streams flowing toward each of the larger ones, nearly all of which have been rich; and though there are no more heavy graveldeposits above the junction, there are undoubtedly extensive "seam" diggings that will require much water in opening and working, as all the gold taken from the collateral branches has been of that peculiar character indicative of recent freedom from the parent rock.

Mount Gregory mines. Here we find a very heavy gravel-deposit, fully two miles long, with an average width of more than half a mile, and varying in depth from 10 to 250 feet. This ridge is flanked upon the north by the Middle Fork of the American River, and on the south by Missouri Cañon, above its junction with Otter Creek, both very deep and precipitous gorges, affording splendid facilities for hydraulic operations, the arrangement of proper sluices, and the disposal of the vast amount of tailings which must be run off. At one time many miners had delved for gold, a "city" sprang into existence upon the ridge, and an immense mercantile and express business was done, but, in the midst of this scene of bustle and activity, an event transpired which drove industrious people to other parts. The small ditches which furnished the water for mining purposes were monopolized, that important concomitant of mining was interdicted, and that unfortunate locality parceled out as a "reserve” for the posterity of an illiberal ditch-owner. Stagnation followed, and, with untold thousands in the earth beneath, the miners sorrowfully took their departure, having merely prospected the section. That was ten years ago, and, as at the other diggings of which we have spoken, water in abundance is all that will be required to renew its life again. Then, large sums were made by the most common method of sluicing; now, by the aid of the improved apparatus in use, the result would be astonishing.

Upon the southern slope of the ridge the surface-earth was washed until the heavy deposit was reached, and thereafter drifting was resorted to. Upon some of the lower branches, where water is obtained in some seasons from the adjacent cañons, a few miners have lingered and endeavored to hydraulic, but have done but little from the irregularity of their supply. Others drift, and by husbanding the waters of different springs manage to subsist and even to make money by washing the gravel they unearth a half day in the week. The great demand is for an abundance of water for hydraulic purposes, in order to attain to that wealth which their neighbors have upon this ancient river-bed further north, where facilities have been at hand for the rapid removal of the mass of auriferous gravel. But little washing has been done upon the northern side toward the river-only enough to determine that it will pay. The hill has been pierced on both sides by tunnels, and found rich. From the gravel thrown out in sinking a well upon the ridge, many pieces of gold have been taken, one worth $2.50. This is only 60 feet deep, about 100 feet above the bed-rock.

The different diggings upon this ridge now paralyzed by lack of water, and which are worked when the least quantity is available, may be enumerated as follows: Gravel Point, Captain Gardner's Point, Bitter's Point, Nameless Point, Carter's Point, Drummond's Diggings, Red Point, Ross's Diggings, Mackey's Diggings, Lloyd's Diggings, Webster's Diggings, Cooley's claim, Worthingham & Bowman mine, Garner's claim, the Hercules mine of the California Water Company, with a front of over half a mile, Drummond's Diggings, Cooley & Murzuer's and others, all requiring hydraulic.

Volcanoville.- Volcanoville is situated upon the same ridge as Mount Gregory, is a mining locality of considerable importance, and its mines are of noted richness. A great deal of water will be used at this place when once introduced. Still further west are found gravel-beds of considerable extent, known as Miller's and the French Diggings, Buckeye

:

Hill, &c., the deposit to be washed varying in depth from fifteen to twenty-five feet.

Jackass Flat.-Leaving the divide between Otter Creek and the Middle Fork we will go to that which separates the waters of Otter and Cañon Creeks. First across the branch of Otter at Kentucky Flat we follow the immense gravel-bed southward, commencing at Chris ranch or Jackass Flat, where we find a large area of drift awaiting water to be washed off. This channel seems to have a trend from east to west, and connects with the Bowlder Hill deposit.

Boulder Hill.-Boulder Hill is an extensive and deep deposit, and has been pretty thoroughly prospected by shafts and tunnels. Its situation is extremely favorable for rapid working with hydraulic power, being located upon the ridge between two branches of the creek, which here forms large gorges with a sufficient fall for trailings. The California Water Company has an excellent location upon the northern end of this hill, which has been pierced by a tunnel a distance of several hundred feet.

Darling's Ranch. - West from Bowlder Hill occurs a large gravel-ridge near Darling's ranch. It has been well explored by various shafts and tunnels, shows gold in paying quantities, and only awaits water to be placed in the list of paying mines. It is favorably located for opening either upon Cañon Creek or Otter Creek.

Bald Hill. Bald Hill shows a reef of talcose slate, which cuts the drift-channel at right angles, and its apex is considerably higher than the surrounding hills. The surface-earth is auriferous, but there is little of it, and it is principally noted for its "seam" diggings, which will eventually cause a demand for a large amount of water.

Harrison Hill. - This hill is a continuous gravel-ridge, very deep, extending east and west. Like other of its fellows it is but little worked from similar cause, lack of water. It will require at least six powerful hydraulic streams in its working.

Cement Hill. The extent of Cement Hill is nearly three-quarters of a mile long by half a mile wide. Years ago it was pierced by several tunnels, much of the bottom stratum of gravel was extracted and washed, and immense sums of gold taken therefrom. It is deep, and will all be washed off when water can be obtained.

Nevada Flat is a "branch” or lateral ridge shooting from the southwestern side of Cement Hill. Considerable water must necessarily be used in washing its gravel-deposits.

Bottle Hill.-The diggings of Bottle Hill are perhaps half a mile square in extent, and have been celebrated for their richness. The North Star, Saint Louis, Cuyahoga, Gravoy, and Hopewell tunnels, each extensive works, have pierced it from both sides, and the great portion of the bottom stratum of gravel has been extracted. But as it is very deep, and as the different strata of earth composing the bulk of the hill still remain, and contain more or less gold, the application of hydraulics will render its more perfect working remunerative, and it will eventually all disappear before the attacking miner.

Mount Calvary. - These mines are owned principally by C. H. Calmes, who has held them for many years, unable to work them on account of having no water, satisfied that they would ultimately remunerate him for his untiring patience. A large hydraulic stream will be necessary to their successful working.

Gravel Hill. The location of Gravel Hill is west from Mount Calvary. The paying gravel-deposit is deep, nearly one mile square, and will all be washed off upon the introduction of water.