The product of the New Almaden mines from January to August, 1867, inclusive, has been as follows:

The present condition of the principal mine is poor, both in the quality and quantity of its ores; its future is uncertain, and any conjectures in regard to it would be valueless.

THE NEW IDRIA MINE yielded during the six months ending June 30, 1867, as follows:

THE REDINGTON MINE, of which no description has heretofore been given, (sometimes called the XLCR, as named by the original locators,) is situated at Knoxville, Lake county, 55 miles northwest of Napa, from which point the product is shipped. It was located in March, 1861, but the locators having neither the necessary skill nor capital, leased the mine for a term of years. Work was commenced thereon in the spring of 1862, and energetically prosecuted, with various vicissitudes ever since, its product up to January, 1867, aggregating 9,009 flasks of 76 pounds each, selling for a total of $344,594.

Up to January, 1867, the ore was reduced in retorts, but at that time there was completed a large and expensive furnace and condenser, constructed of a stone peculiar to the region, which proves itself quite the equal of the best English fire-brick in its capacity to resist the action of fire. By the aid of this improved means of reduction, the product has been largely increased, aggregating in the nine months from January, 1867, to October 1, 1867, 5,145 flasks of 763 pounds each. A second furnace of equal capacity with that now used, and having many improvements never before introduced in the construction of quicksilver reducing furnaces, has just been completed, and the product is hereafter expected not to be less than 1,000 flasks per month. The mine is situated in a hill, and is worked by a tunnel about 700 feet long, not counting the numerous side drifts.

Various shafts have been sunk from these side drifts, and trouble being expe rienced from water, an artesian bore of seven inches diameter was sunk on the hillside before the mouth of the tunnel, to the depth of 250 feet. In this was placed a pump of five and a half inches diameter, and this, though generally looked upon at first as a very doubtful experiment, is found effectively and permanently to free the whole mine from water, thus saving the great expense of a pumping shaft.

The mine employs 150 men, has built and maintains 20 miles of road, and from its isolated position is compelled to create from its own resources all the facilities needful for carrying it on.

BORAX. The production of refined borax by the California Borax Company for eight months, beginning January 5 and ending September 7, 1867, was 481,912 pounds. The present product averages about 120 boxes (112 pounds cach) per week. The company is about to erect a machine to lixiviate the mud

of the lake, at a cost of $30,000.

Mr. J. Arthur Phillips, a distinguished mining engineer from England, made

a careful examination of the company's property last year. The following is an extract from his report on Borax lake:

The borax occurs in the form of crystals of various dimensions, imbedded in the mud of the bottom, which is found to be most productive to a depth of three and a half feet, although a bore-hole, which was sunk near the centre to a depth of 60 feet, is said to have afforded a proportion of that salt throughout its whole extent.

The crystals thus occurring are most abundant near the centre of the lake, and extend over an area equivalent to about one-third of its surface, but they are also met with, in smaller quantities, in the muddy deposit of the other portions of the basin, some of them being, in the richest part before alluded to, over a pound in weight, The largest crystals are general y enclosed in a stiff biue clay, at a depth of between three and four feet, and a short distance above them is a nearly pure stratum of smaller ones, some two and one-half and three inches in thickness, in addition to which crystals of various sizes are disseminated throughout the muddy deposit of which the bottom consists.

Besides the borax thus existing in a crystallized form, the mud itself is highly charged with that salt, and, according to an analysis of Professor Oxland, when dried atfords, in the portions of the lake now worked, (including the enclosed crystals,) 17.73 per cent. Another analysis of an average sample, by Mr. Moore, of San Francisco, yielded him 18.86 per cent. of crystallized borax.

In addition to this, the deposit at the bottom of the other portions of the basin, although less productive, still contains a large amount of borax, but no analyses of samples appear to have been made, except from the portions of the bottom at present worked. It has further been ascertained, by making pits on the lake shore, that clay containing a certain proportion of borax exists in the low ground, at a considerable distance from the water's edge. EXTRACTION OF BORAX.-The borax at present manufactured is exclusively prepared from the native crystals of crude salt, while the mud in which they are found is returned to the lake after the mechanical separation of the crystals by washing. The extraction of the mud is effected by the aid of sheet-iron coffer-dams and a small dredging machine, worked by manual power, but the latter has been very recently put into operation. Until within a few weeks the only apparatus employed consisted of a raft, covered by a shingled roof which has an aperture in its centre about 15 feet square, and above which are hung, by suitable tackle, four iron coffer-dams, six feet by six feet, and nine feet in depth. This raft or barge is moved in parallel lines across the surface of the lake, and at each station the four dams are sunk simultaneously by their own weight into the mud forming the bottom. When they have thus become well imbedded the water is baled out, and the und removed in buckets to large rectangular washing vats, into which a continuous stream of water is introduced from the lake by means of Chinese pumps-the contents of the cisterns being at the same time constantly agitated by means of rakes. In this way the turbid water continually flows off, and a certain amount of borax is finally collected in the bottom of each tank, which is subsequently recrystallized; but from the density acquired by the washing water, of which no less than 70,000 gallons are daily employed, it is evident that less than one-half of the borax existing in the form of crystals is thus obtained, while that which is present in the mud itself is again returned to the lake.

The dredging machine recently introduced is a decided improvement on the coffer-dams, and may, by the aid of some trifling modifications, be made a very efficient machine; but the mud brought up by it is subjected to the washing process before described, and a small proportion only of the borax is obtained for recrystallization.

CRYSTALLIZATION.-The crystals of rude borax thus daily obtained now amount to about 3,000 pounds, and after being carefully washed they are deposited in boiling water and recrystallized in large lead-lined vessels, from which the purified borax is removed into boxes containing 114 pounds each, for the purpose of being forwarded to San Francisco.

The produce of refined borax now daily obtained appears to vary from 2,500 to 2,800 pounds, which is prepared and packed for the market, as nearly as my data will allow me to calculate, at a cost of about $90 per ton of 2,240 pounds.

CAPABILITIES OF PRODUCTION.-It is evident from the foregoing description that the present system of working is by no means calculated to develop the best results which this property is capable of affording, and that in order to do so it will be necessary to adopt some method for the lixiviation of the mud, its removal from the bottom of the lake, and the crystallization of the borax thus obtained. The total extent of the muddy deposit considerably exceeds three hundred acres, and if we assume that, of this area, only one hundred acres, or that portion now worked for borax crystals, is alone sufficiently rich to pay the expenses of treatment, we shall arrive at the following figures:

One hundred acres are equivalent to 484,000 square yards, and if the mud be worked to the depth of only three and one-half feet, this represents about 565,000 cubic yards; or, allowing a cubic yard to weigh a ton of 2,240 pounds, which is a very low estimate, the total weight of one hundred acres of mud, in its wet state, will be 565,000 tons. If we now assume that the mud extracted from the lake contains 60 per cent. of water, this will correspond to 226,000 tons of dry mud, containing, according to the mean of the analyses of

Professor Oxland and Mr. Moore, 18.29 per cent. of borax; but if, in practice, only 12 per cent. of borax be obtained, this will represent 27,120 tons of crystallized salt.

The present wholesale price of borax in Europe is $320 per ton of 2,240 pounds, and consequently the total value of the amount contained in this portion of the lake would be, on the foregoing assumption, delivered in the market, $8,678,400, If, however, we estimate its value in San Francisco at $275, it is at the port of shipment worth $7,458,000. The expenditure, in plant and appliances, of a further sum of $30,000, would, by the process proposed by Dr. Oxland, allow of a daily production of four tons of borax. This could be produced and delivered in San Francisco at a cost, exclusive of interest on capital and depreciation of plant, of $70 per ton; $1,898,400 for the 27, 100, and leaving a difference of $4,559,600 between the expense of production and the market value.

The above calculations are made in accordance with the data furnished by the analyses already quoted of the mud in the central portions of the basin, but exclusive of a consideration of the borax contained in the deposits of other portions of the lake, as well as of the 6,000 tons of this salt, indicated by analyses, as existing in solution in its waters.

A careful consideration of the phenomena attending the production of borax also leads to the belief that its formation is continually going on by the decomposition of carbonate of soda, (which is abundantly contained in the waters of the lake,) by boracic acid emitted from sources beneath its bed, since large quantities of carbonic acid constantly escape from the surface. Should this prove to be the case, it is probable that any moderate extraction of borax may be replaced by the formation constantly taking place.

The quantity of carbonate of soda contained in the mud and water is considerably in excess of the amount of borax present, and could be readily extracted from the mother liquors. Whether this operation could, however, be profitably conducted, with a view to the exportation of soda ash, is a matter of considerable doubt, but the yearly consumption of this substance in California being understood to be about 500 tons, this local demand could, at least, be supplied, at a profit of say 2 cents per pound-$25,000 per annum.

SULPHUR.—Mr. Phillips thus describes the sulphur bank belonging to this company, and the mode and cost of refining the crude sulphur:

SULPHUR BANK -The sulphur bank, which presents the usual characteristics of such formations, is situated on the shore of Clear lake, and covers an area of about 40,000 square yards. In addition to sulphur, small quantities of cinnabar are found in this locality.

The deposit has not, as yet, been extensively developed, but has already afforded 400 tons of refined sulphur, of which about three tons daily can, it is stated, be readily sold in San Francisco at $70 per ton.

From the limited extent of the explorations which have been made, it would be difficult to estimate the probable total yield of sulphur, but it is not unreasonable to anticipate that the bank contains at least from 15,000 to 20,000 tons of that substance.

In order to make immediate returns of sulphur, a refinery has been recently erected for the treatment of the richer portions of the deposit, which frequently do not contain above 10 per cent. of impurity; but there are also vast quantities of tufaceous matters, containing from 5 to 60 per cent. of sulphur, all of which will be ultimately treated with advantage.

The cost of extracting, refining, and delivering a ton of sulphur in San Francisco is now stated to be about $35.

The refinery consists of sundry iron retorts for the purposes of sublimation, together with the necessary condensers and receivers. It is well laid out, and connected with the sulphur bank by a railway 1,300 feet in length.

SECTION XXI.

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA.

CALIFORNIA AS A HOME FOR EMIGRANTS.

INQUIRIES FROM LOUISIANA-RESPONSE OF THE EMIGRATION SOCIETY-PUBLIC LANDS, AGRICULTURE, MANUFACTURES, ETC.

NEW IBERIA, LOUISIANA, September 25, 1867.

SIR: Some six weeks or two months ago I presumed to address you, not directing the letter, as is now advised, by Panama. I think it more than probable, on account of Indian disturbances, it will not reach its destination.

In that, the first letter, I made many inquiries in regard to your favored State, and if I repeat them in this, I trust you will not esteem me troublesome. There are several families

of us desirous of escaping from the evils that afflict this section, and try our fortunes in States not cursed by negro supremacy. We lost nearly everything by the war, and we wish only protection and health, that we may try to live and educate our children, and where, if we should be so fortunate as to make anything, we would be protected in its enjoyment. With politics we are disgusted, and cannot care again to exercise the privilege of voting, but heartily wishing to be governed by our own race.

To the following inquiries we most respectfully ask answers, and should your time be otherwise employed, we ask that you hand this to some one that will honor us with the solicited information:

1. Are the public lands entirely absorbed?

2. Can they be entered, if public?

3. Are there any special laws regulating the entry?

4. In what part of the State are these lands mostly situated?

5. What is the price of unimproved lands not very close to the city?

6. Of improved places?

7. What are the wages of laborers by day, or month, or year?

8. Is there a demand for labor?

9. Is mining more profitable than farming, or vice versa ?

10. What section would you advise poor people, desirous of making a living, and, if possible, more, to settle in ?

11. At about what price could work-horses, milch cows, &c., be bought in the rural districts?

12. Are goods of all descriptions very much more costly than in New York or New Orleans? 13. Are there any diseases peculiar to the climate?

14. And any information that you may judge would be of interest or service. Several of us are professional men, but we care not for profession if we can only have a white man's chance to work, and thereby support and educate our families. We would arrive in your city with but little money, and it would be well for us, I suppose, to remain but a short time, and not be very long in locating. At what season would it be best to arrive? Cotton crop a failure in this State; corn and cane very fine. Yellow fever has been very severe. Permit me again to ask the favor of an early and full answer to the above inquiries. Yours, respectfully,

His Honor the MAYOR of San Francisco, California.

THOS. T. FOLSOM.

REPLY.

Query. "Are the public lands entirely absorbed ?"

Answer. No. There are millions of acres yet in the keeping of the federal government officers, which can be had for $1 an acre in gold. Only in the neighborhood of the great thoroughfares, the navigable rivers, the fragments of railways yet constructed, the mining camps and the like, has ever the government surveyor yet erected his theodolite. The whole population of the States of California, Oregon, Nevada, and the Territory of Washington, does not come to a million of souls, and they have more land to live upon than the entire German family of 30 nations and 60,000,000. There are plenty of good spots where small colonies of immigrants may squat upon and await the coming (for years) of the federal government surveyor, and when he shall come, the $1 an acre demanded by the government will have long before been realized out of the land.

In the San Joaquin valley, 60 miles back from Stockton, (a city of about 5,000 inhabitants, and one night's journey by steamer from San Francisco,) plenty of land can be got for $1 in gold per acre from the government office in Stockton. This valley is about 100 miles long, a width varying from 10 to 30 miles, through which streams, navigable for flatboats, flow down to the Sacramento river. The soil is deep and rich, and the bottoms near the water are exceedingly fertile, and able to support abundance of kine. This valley would absorb 100,000 settlers.

We have received from Mr. Merry, of Red Bluff, (a growing town of about 2,000 inhabitants, at the head of navigation on the Sacramento river, and to be reached in two days by steamer from San Francisco, at an expense of from $10 to $12,) an elaborate report of the agricultural and business facilities in that section. He says:

"The slopes of the Sierra hills and coast range, being well watered, afford good pasturage for sheep and horned cattle during the year. The arable land of the country lying along the 'bottoms' of the Sacramento river and its tributaries bear grain crops of from 16 to 40 bushels of wheat to the acre. The best lands in the county (Tehama county) are covered by Mexican grants, to which patent titles from the President of the United States have been obtained. These lands can be purchased from present holders for $10 to $15 per acre. They are adapted to the growth of grain, potatoes and beets. All kinds of vegetables and fruit grow in the greatest luxuriance. Sheep breeding pays well. The flocks in this county number about

100,000 sheep. The quality of wool has a very good name in the San Francisco market, and brings 20 cents a pound. Butter will pay well for skilful dairymen, and cheese also.

"For swine there is no better county in the State. Over 4,000 head of grain-fed hogs have been sold out of the county during the past year. A pork and bacon-packing house in this place is doing an extensive business. The establishment of a woollen-mill here would be the best investment of capital extant. Lumber is cheap, firewood plenty, and water power abundant, going to waste. An iron foundry would pay well here. Money is dear, it brings two per cent., and two and a half per cent. per month. Farm laborers get $30 per month and board. Blacksmiths and wagon makers do well. Some have got rich. Good board can be got for $20 to $25 a month. Cottages can be got for from $8 to $15 a month rent. Town lots for building can be entered at government prices. Common necessaries from the farms are cheaper than in San Francisco. Imported articles are about 30 per cent. higher. As to vine culture it is the best locality for that industry in the State. Here is the celebrated Bosquejo vineyard, where the 'Gerke' wine is made, which is a fair sample of our vine lands. Thousands of acres of equally good lands can be had here for $1 25 an acre."

The section of country referred to by Mr. Merry would absorb and maintain 100,000 persons. In the counties south of San Francisco-Monterey, for instance-two days' journey by stage from Francisco, large tracts of the richest land, owned by easy-going people of Spanish descent, can be purchased or rented upon very advantageous terms; purchased for $1 or $2 an acre, or rented on shares for one-forth of the annual product of the land. The chief aud greatest cost is the cost of fencing.

In many places the old Spanish settlers own tracts of 30,000 to 50,000 acres, unfenced and undivided, over which numberless flocks of sheep and cattle roam and breed and die, without control or much care from the proprietors, who live in rude case, and almost secluded from the outside world. Their slumbers will soon be broken by the hum of busy immigrants, who will come crowding by sea and land into their fruitful territories. Further south, towards Los Angeles, the best lands can be purchased from those old-fashioned settlers for $1 an acre, or even less. There is very little timber to be cleared from any of these lands,

To go upon these lands, several families should form themselves into villages or companies, and go out together on the land and help each other. This co-operative system is sure to make immigrants happy and prosperous. Farming implements can be got here better and cheaper than in England, or in any of the American cities of the Atlantic. Farm horses can be purchased for $20 to $40 apiece; milk cows, $20 to $30 each. The expense of transporting one person from this city to the government land may be set down at $20. Markets can be found for any quantity of grain, butter, wool, and fruits. The vine is slow in its returns, but quite certain to pay at the end of four or five years, and will yet be the great occupation of Californians. The climate in most parts of California is moderate; in winter there is neither frost nor snow.

The population of California is about 500,000. About 90,000 of these have votes, and are entered on the great register. Being an American citizen, and residing three months in one locality, gives the privilege of voting for all public officers. The voting is done in one day, by ballot, all over the State, and there is no property qualification required in the voter or in the public officer. A person born out of the United States must be two years resident in the United States, have sworn fealty to the American government, and have registered his name on the great register before he can vote.

There are about 50,000 Chinese, and about 10,000 negroes in the State. Neither of them have any political rights allowed them. They cannot vote for any public officer, nor is it likely that ever they will enjoy such privileges. The Chinese are looked upon with much jealousy by the white race. Opposition to them has assumed an organized shape, and there are numerous anti-coolie clubs existing in our city, whose object is to resist and discourage the importation and employment of Chinese labor. About 8,000 Chinamen are employed on the Pacific railway works; about 20,000 are working in and around the mines, and the remainder are scattered over the State engaged in doing the lowest kind of work about the cities and towns; washing, gardening, dealing in fish and vegetables, &c. Question 2. "Is there a demand for labor?"

Answer. We are anxiously and carefully gathering information from every side, from reliable sources, with the intention of forming a small hand-hook for the intending immigrant. We are full of the great idea of inviting an extensive immigration from Europe, and from the southern and eastern States, to the Pacific slope, but we shudder at the thought of mislead. ing any one. It is almost unnecessary to repeat that we have room and work for millions of people in our fields and mines, but the great trouble is to support people while they are finding the work suited to their strength, their habits, and their experience. The idea that fills the minds of many persons in making towards California is, that they shall go a goldhunting in the mines, make lucky hits, and return at some distant day to their old homes in Europe or the Atlantic States to enjoy their good fortunes. This idea has been the unseen rock that wrecked many an emigrant to this golden land. None should come to the California mines but miners.

On the first discovery of gold in California, and for several years afterwards, every kind of laborer went into the mines, and many of them did very well; but of late years the Chinese