This short work was written primarily for the landowners, the farmers, the mechanics, the miners, and the laborers. It attempted to help them discover for themselves minerals and ores and thus develop the resources and establish the value of any particular farm or region. It is one of the most valuable works on mining engineering, metallurgy, and Mineralogy. Contents include: Introduction Directions for Determining Specimens by the Key Descriptive List of Useful Minerals Prospecting for Diamonds, Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead and Iron Assay of Ores Mineral Springs Artificial Jewelry—How Made and How Detected Discovery of Gold in California Discovery of Silver in Nevada, and United States Gold and Silver Statistics