Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-01-09
For the Standard.

For the Standard.
z Nix. HOLDEN The saline powder which yon
gaze me, and which was received from Salisbury or
from the vicinity, weighed 81 grains Its taste is
decidedly salt It isstated to have been obtained
5 from gallons Of waterdefived from lick On
trial found the "a grains contained 10 OF insoluble
earth thus reducing the amount of saline matter to
Al grains On further examination found it to
contain large proportion Of sulphate, which, of
course reduces the quantity Of valuable salt or Ia
bic salt still more. Now the question to be solved
is will water which holds in solution salt of this
description and only to the amount indicated furr-
ISL enough to make it object to boil 1t Tor Its con-
tents? Some light may be thrown on this question
by stating that the we'll waters of Fayetteville street
contain, upon an average, more than 90 grains OF
saline matter in gallons Of water. We have OBJ
tanned salt from the waters of all the wells IN town,
yetAo one expects to use them for obtaining salt
1t would require at least 300 gallons to make
buShcl of salt
Another question may be proposed, is it not
probable that by going deep enough, stronger and
better water may be obtained? | think not All
the ticks which belong to the formation of rocks SIM
liar to those of Rowan and indeed all the western
counties of the State are due to superficial changes,
and the deeper we 60 the farther shall be re-
moved from the source of the salt. The superficial
decomposition of rocks and earth, always furnishes
saline matter, among which we may detect chloride
of sodium or common salt But there are ticks in
other formations which appear more favorable than
the one under consideration. Analysed the water
from pit about feet deep on the plantation of
Mr.. Scott in the Western part OF this County. The
formation is the red sandstone which, and is known,
to be safurous rock. This water contained 456
grains Of saline matter to the gallon. This salt con-
taned per cent in 100 grains 1T, Z; grains of
carbonate Of lime, 6.60 of magnesia in combination
with muriatic acid and some organic matter, the
remainder was mostly table salt Now this water
may be used to obtain salt at less price than that
which is demanded at the present time by specula-
tors, especially where wood is cheap.
In conclusion, / may assure individuals, as we'll
as the public, that the condition for the production
of salt does not exist in any of the Counties west Of
Moore Chatham, and Orange. For the production
of salt or may say its preservation, it is necessary
that the rock formation should have been deposited
from the ocean, and that it should have preserved
itself somewhat in the form of basin. In this
State though we have extensive beds Of sediments
deposited from the sea- yet they have not been pre-
served in the most favorable condition for furnish
ing salt; and therefore, 1t is doubtful whether
shall ever be able to procure salt from any of them.
But the whole of the State where primary rocks
exist We may confidently affirm, will never furnish
us with salt ! have spoken more fully upon this
subject for the reason, that am frequently receiv
Ing letters of inquiry upon the subject.
E. EMM0NS,
State Geologist
PAL ;1b Iap