Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-12-05
rpea rnE Aa.En1eAx fAnNrn.
SALT.

SO lar approved by you as to give them
currency in your valuable paper, am
induced to give IN account of the differ
cnt processes adopted in the manufacture
OF that essential article of comfort. Be-
lieVing that the method pursued by our
Western brethren, will not produce
salt sufficient TO answer The purpose of
condlment, summary and comparative
view OF the means used in the prepare
ton Of that article may lead to improve
ment.
In the Western states, salt is produced
from brine obtained from springs at
depth of from 100 10 500 feet below the
surface, small shaft Of about inches
in diameter is sunk, with great labor
through hard limestone, or granite, and
generally this tedious operation is re-
warded by copious supply of salt water
which rises to the surface; this phe-
nomenon has not yet been accounted for,
nor will speculative inquiry satisfy the
1nquIsitive, it is reserved for scientific III
vesligation or fortuitous developement.
When upon trial, the brine is supposed
TO be OF sufficient strength to risk the
erection OF works necessary for the pro-
duction of salt, furnace is built upon
which are placed from so to 60 kettles
Of cast iron measuring each from 40 to
60 gallons, into which the brine is intro
duced by pipes; intense. heat is applied
whoa causes almostimmed iately, violent
coctlon, the process is OF short duration,
ihe salt together with the earthly super
huities subside in the vessel, after the
Watery particles have evaporated which
IS removed to place of deposit and the
process IS continued. BY this very SIM
PIC nlet5od the salt in the west is gene
rally prepared
Ihe objections to this manner are the
intense heat, producing violent coction
and preventing the work of crystailiza-
sion, and the size Of the vessels being in
sufficient to admit of separation of the
impure or earthly parts, which should
be skinned from the surface, or taken
mp after they sabside.
This process may be much improved,
different method may enable our manu-
tacsurers to mako a salt equally good in
every particular as the foreign or import
ed, and they having the means within
themselves, it is ct least worth the cX-
pertinent which if successful, will be a
step towards independence, and an in
calculable benefit to that section CT our
country.
The improved process adopted in
Great Britain, is decidedly different from
the aboye.-Large pans of from 40 to 60
feet in length, 80 to 40 feet in breadth,
and Is inches in depth are generally
used, the application of heat is raised &C
cording to the sort or quality of salt in
tended to be made. The fine or COM
mon salt is evaporated al heat Of 2260
Fahrenheit. The coarse or fishery salt,
such as is requisite for preserving provi-
sions, a gentle hea is applied not exceed
ing ll2 Fahrenheit. In all cases the
impurities which appear on the surface
or subside previous to ystallization, arc |
removed.
The whole difference in the varieties
of salt artifcially prepared arises in the
application of heat; the fine salt is made
by application of intense heat, the coarse
by gentle warmth not exceeding the solar
beams, that produced by the latter means
approaches nearest to sea salt, such as is
made at Turks Island, and Cape de
Verbs, &c. which is formed into large |
crystals by the rays of the sun acting on
still, shallow surface of sea water. This
salt is preferred in preserving provisions,
and the nearest imitation of the process
of nature in preparing an artificial salt,
experience has taught is the best; and a
salt at least equal if not superior, may be
made from brine Strings by simhly keeh-
ing that in viezv.
To the manufacturer of this article,
this summary notice of the processes
will be sufficient; without presuming on
my information ON this subject, will en-
deavor to point out the means which l |
deem may be an Improvement of the
method now in use in the west.
Much benefit might be derived from
taking advantage our summer heat, by
exposing in large cisterns or watts the
brine from the springs, which would con-
centrate by spontaneous evaporation pre-
vious to its being admitted into the boiler
"a few days operation of the suns rays
upon shallow surface of salt water,
would prepare it for the boier-the |
greater part of the impurities would sub
side or could be removed from the sur
face; and the brine would be partly |
qualified for the process. The boiler
should be of a large size, and of such
convenient hreadth tbat Inr;no tho ,,ro |