The Bullion Yield

Few persons have any adequate idea of the yield of precious metáis in the United States. The figures for the last quarter of a century are startling and almost incredible. Froin 1848 to 1874 the enormous sum of $1,578,407,641 was mined on the Pacific coast. To this amount California contributes over one billion and ninety-four mülions, and Nevada a. little more than one hundred and nineteen millions. The remainder is divided between Montana, Idaho, Colorado and Utah. . The two last Territorios have yielded but about fif'ty millions between them, but it is well known that their soil is wonderfully rich in silver ores ot' a superior character. When these Territories become fully developed it is expected that their enormous yield of bullion will recall the golden days of California. In Utah particularly a grain culture has been developed heretofore to the exclusión of mining interests, but this will prove itself no loss in tho long run, since it has served to prepare food for a largo population. Judging by tho amount of precious metáis already cxtracted froin the bilis of the far West, it may be confidently expected that the yield of the next quarter of a century will, with proper energy, nearly or quite equal the last. New improvements in machinery, the investment of large quantities of capital, and the knowledge that the slopes of the Iiocky mountains are so many rich deposits of "gold and silver ive promise of an abundant return to the capitalist and laborer. This is a happy answer, too, to the gloomy auguries of thosewho look upon our financial future with distrust. The abundant promise of agricultura and mineral wealth wealth will tide us over our difficulties. A billion and a half of gold and silver is no sniall return from barren hills, though it took a quarter of a century to gather it.