Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-04-16
$32,5lU 90
now TO MAKE sALFpETRE.


tbe inss,on. caves in the Southern ConfedeTacy Is
60 s;nnle That any one residing in the neigheorhOod
IS cave in a limestone rock-and nearly all the
o.vss ara in such rock-can, without any expense,
r,,ke at least few pounds of the salt every day,
and with assistance could make it a very profitable
business at the price which the government is now
having To furnish the practical Information re-
CURED in PLAIN language, 20 sch persons so as TO
enable each one to add to the production OF an ar
tcle so Indispensable 10 the military operations oil
our country struggling for its Tree existence,
induces the writer to publish these notes he would
earnestly appeal to his countrymen who may live
any cave to put themselves, ii need De 10 some
uccn venieace in order to aid IN the invaluable pro-
duction We cannot he too thankful that this q.
vantic war was entered upon with large supplies OF
ammunition and the materials for its fabrication,
bat little Of which has yet been expended; nut III Il
contest of such magnitude, where we have I" sup
ply the fiery food for some two thousand mouths "i
large ,iimensionS--Some OF which csaSune not less
than three fourths Of key of powder at each charge
it ill readily be that the most abundant stores
must fail sooner later, unless care De tKeh III
time to replenish the demands Of consumption.
Our supplies of ulphur-and, OF course char
coa-are probably ample for the entire war; even II
it be of long Duration and the amount OF saltpetre
in the earth of the Southern caves to be had for the
washing, is abundantly sufficient to meet all do
mands for an indefinite period Of time.
But the n1tre IS Sill III inc CaItIi, anu u
us to extract it in time, before we commence to feel
n pressure in this direction. 1t Is true, we arc re-
ceiving daily from few caves what would be con-
sidered 4 very large amount in ordinary times, but
the times are extraordinary, and hence require en-
traordinary supplies; thus the individual who makes
pound Of saltpetre each day, contributes IN TACT
more to the ultimate Of his country, than II
he Shouldercd his muskct and marched with all h's
sons to the tented field.
Gunpowder is made Of over threeiourth parts OF
ntre (puried saltpetre) fourteen parts of charcoal,
and ten parts of sulphur all by weight; hence, the
nitro is much the largest portion OF gunpowder ma
teria requiring consequently the largest daily
supply.
The crude satpetre from the caves, called CROUCH
salpstre in commerce. requires to be purified before
it can be used for gunpowder, and for this purpose
government has established refinery at Nashville,
capable Of refining daily 5000 pounds of CROUCH
saltpetre into pure nitre, as white as snow, and
ready for the powder mills In the extensive Gov
eminent Powder Works, now in course Of rapid
erection in Georgia under the direction Of the writer
over five tons of saltpetre will be refined each day,
if required, and converted into gunpowder.
ARTICLES WANTED To MAKE sALTPETRE On \ SMALL
SCALE.
One ordinary iron pot, for boiling three or four
tubs pals or barrels cut of two or three small
troughs; some coarse bags OF 4 wheel barrow to
bring the earth from the cave and four strong bar
or pork barrels very good-are about all the ar
ticles required for a small saltpetre manufactory.-
To these, however, must be added some ash bar
relS to make potash ley as it is better that this
should be made at the same time and place, the
ashes from the fire under the pot for boiling assist
ing in the production.
TO PROCEED.
First bore a hole about the size of the finger
through the head or end Of each barrel near vne
side, and bit wooden plug to each hole-thea set
the barrels on some pieces Of timber near each 9TH
er, the heads down. and the hole of each projecting
over the timber. Put some twigs into the bottom
of each barrel, aid on these place straw or hay
about half foot thick when pressed down; then
having brought some Of the earth from the cave
and broken up all the Jumps, fill each barrel fall
without pressing it down. Put the plugs into the
holes tightly, and fill up the barrel with much
water (hot water is best in winter will hold
allow the whole to remain until next day, then D II
out the plugs, having placed a tun or pail under
each, and pour all the from the first barrel
into the second barrel and all the water liquor
which drains from this barrel must be poured on
top of the earth Of the third barrel and finally the
liquor which drains from this last barrel must be
poured into trb or other vessel. Now having
previously made some strong ley from wood aSlieS,
pour small stream of il into tub and stir il well
Immediately the clear liquor will become muddy.
and as long the ley continues to curdle or cloud
TIE liquor, II uluNt De poured IN; OF course, YOU
will have to wait now and then. for the liuur to
Settle to if it requires more ley No more must
be used than is Necessary for it not only wastes the
lev, but is an impurity which the refinery must sf
forwards get rid Of We will now suppose that the
proper quantity OF ley has been used and the LIQUOR
allowed 10 settle or drain through cloth until it be.
comes clear; it is then poured into the pot and
boiled away until drop taken up OF the end of n
stick becomes hard solid when let fall upon cold
metal or upon plate.
The liquor Is now to be dipped out of the pot and
poured into a cloth placed over tub or barrel and
! allowed to strain through into the tub below and
become cold. AS soou the liquor begins to cool
| crystals oil saltpetre will commence forming, AMI
! when cold the liquor left-caled mother LIQUOR
must be poured oil from the saltpeter back into the
pot with the fresh liquor for boiling as il still has
| considerable saltpetre in it. There will he found =,
the bottom of the pot after the liquor is dipped out
| when the boiling is completed seine earthly salts
! which, after draining, can be thrown away as i'm
| purites; if, however, some long needle shaped
crystals should be seen in it when cold, il contains
some saltpetre, and about quart Of hot water
should be added, and then poured of after time
when 1t viii have dissolved all the saltpetre left
among the earthly sa.ts this wash water can then
be put back into the pot after the impurities shall
! have been cleaned out.
The saltpetre, formed by the 70 'esoing process
must be first allowed to drain well and then pIacec
cloths stretched before the fire or out in the sur
to dry; when the drying is completed it is to b,
put into sacks or barrels, and is ready to be trans
ported TO the nearest ordinance officer who will nav
for the same on receiving the bills of its shipment
| on tine railroad.
If the crystals Of saltpetre are wet and brown
and will not keep dry, it is because too much Is,
from the wood ashes has been used; this can De re
moved by nearly filling tub or barrel with tn,
satPetre and pouring cold water on it. US much as tn,
tub Will hold, and after remaining about one hour
the water can be drained off from the bottom, gher
1t Will carry with it most of the I've; this wa |
water must be poured into the lye of the wool
ashes SO as not to lose the saltpetrs which it con
| tains
The foregoing process evidently contains all .ba
is required in principle for the making of saltpetr
on large SCALE since nothing more is to be don,
than to increase the number of barrels and boil
ers. Casks would he better, perhaps, than barrels
in such case, and watts made by placing the love