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Show SOME TALES OF GOLD HUNTERS extraction of Metal More bltficult Than Its Finding. Tho dlmcillty of tho gold hunter In Alnstm is not so much tho finding of gold deposits, as In tho extraction of tho gold when found, tho chief obstacle ob-stacle being tho perpetually frozen ground encountered by tho placer miner, says the Philadelphia Record. According to tho report Issued by the United States geological survey, It Is common practice to use steam to thaw out the frozen ground in drift work. This Is accomplished by means of hollow sled "points," from five to ten feet long, which arc set up on tho ground and steam or hot wntcr turned on. These points are gradually driven driv-en Into tlv. soil a dUtanco of four or flvo feet. In somo cases moro, and aro usually opernted In batteries on about three-foot centers. During tho night shift, men aro engaged en-gaged In thawing sufficient gravel for the turn to work during tho day. The points are driven In with a mallet, as the .oll Is gradually thawed and nro left In tho bank from ten to fourteen honrB. Each point thaws a block about thirty-six Inches In diameter, thnt Is about eighteen inches on all sides. It requires a llt'.lo moro than ono boiler horso power to supply steam for a single point. Wood Is used exclusively ex-clusively for fuel, notwithstanding It costs $12 a cord. |