Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-01-10
THE SALT DISCOVERIES IN NORTHERN
MICHIGAN.

From the Utica Herald.
There is a barrel of salt at the store of Messrs
p. V. Kellogg & Co., from the works of the
East Saginaw (Mich.) Salt Manufacturing Com
pany.
The discovery of brine in the valley of the
Saginaw is of recent date, and of great impor-
lance to that section of the State of Michigan.
In 1859, the Legislature of that State, in order
to encourage experiments to test the value OF
salines supposed to exist in various parts of
the State, passed an act offering bounty of
ten cents per bushel or fifty cents per barrel for
salt manufactured from water obtained by bor-
ing in the State, and exempting from taxatons
for any purpose all property, real or personal,
used for the purposes mentioned in the act
This led to the formation of the company
above named, in April, 1859, and after sinking
a shaft in solid rock to the depth Of go feet,
they were rewarded by finding good supply of
brine, measuring by the salometer 90 deg. The
Syracuse brine stands from 81 deg. to 10 deg.
They built works and commenced manufactur-
ing in July last, since which time they have
packed and sold from one block of fifty kettles,
about 1000 barrels of salt and sold it at the
works at one dollar and thirty-six cents per Dbl.
Adding the State bounty, the company receive
for it 81 SO per Dbl.
A second well has been sunk to the depth of
the first, and by the first of January, it is ex
pected that the daily yield will be bout so
barrels They are preparing to bore third
well, and in the immediate vicinity seven other
companies are operating, none of which have
as vet completed their wells. One of these
companies was formed by c. +. Litchfeld ESQ.,,
of Cazenovia, n. " who owns large proper
ty on the river opposite East Saginaw, and has
been engaged in heavy numbering operations in
that valley.
1t is expected that over one hundred thousand
barrels of salt will be made on the Saginaw
River neat year. The advantages for man fac
ture are great; wood being dollar to ten shil-
lings a cord, and the river furnishes facilities
for shipping to all the lake ports. The impor-
tance of this trade is indicated by the fact that
three fourths OF he entire production of the
Onondaga salines find a market west of Detroit.
Chicago alone receives $4,000 bbls. annually.
The preservatve properties of the Saginaw
salt have been demonstrated by actual use in
various quarters on beef, pork, fish and butter.
1t has received unqualified praise as an antsep-
tic. The fishermen on Thunder Bay and along
the lake shore certify in strong terms to its sue
cess on fish. They call it stronger, safer and
more economical than the Syracuse fine salt
The fisheries alone use 10000 to 10000 bbls.
annually. Parcels of it were sent, last summer,
to careful dairymen in Orange Co.. n. Y, with
request 10 use IL SO us 10 leSI us qualities III
butter most thoroughly and they report that it
is excellent for dairy purposes. Nothing seems
wanting but time for boring wells TO develop
this interest in Michigan to an importance no,
second to the pine lumber.
We have noted the above facts, obtained
from a reliable source, as matters Of interest
generally, and also because some of our citizen:
are interested in the company referred to, ant
are entitled to our congratulations for their sue
cess in developing the existence of so valuable
reservoir of brine.