Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-11-19
HOW SALT is MINED.
IETHODS EMPLOYED AT THE ExTEN-
SIvE WORKS IN MICHIGAN.

The Supply of Raw Material, Which Is
Brine, Is Practically Observation-Disclosures
1860, at Which Time 1t Really Began.
The existence Of salt springs in the
lower peninsula Of Michigan was known
to the Indians long prior to the advent
Of the white men in the country, and
they were resorted to by both Indians
and wild animals. So we'll known was
this fact Of the presence of salt springs
that the general government made nu-
marous reservations of lands which were
supposed to contain salt deposits. BY
the act Of admission Of Michigan into
tho Union the state was authorized to
select 70 sections of salt land, or land
where the presence Of saline springs in
dictated tho occurrence of salt deposits.
On the organization Of the geological
survoy tho state eeologist, DIR. Douglas
Houghton, made an examination, with
the view to the selection of these lands,
and in 1883 reported the results of his
observations. Still these examinations
were limited to surface indications, and
no extended experiments were made to
probe the coast far below tho surface.
However, borings were finally under
taken in several localities, resulting
generally in such good measure Of sue
cess as to stimulate still further trials,
developing such gratifying results, es-
pecially in the Saginaw valley, that in
1859 tho first company was organized
for tho manufacture of salt, since which
period this industry has reached its
present stupcndous proportions adding
greatly to the wealth and reputation Of
the state and especially to the growth
Of the cities ard the region III which
the business is carried on.
The origin of these deposits is not
known. Whence the waters, lying so
far beneath the surface, derive then sa-
line property there is no apparent means
Of determining, nor is the boundary OF
the surface known beneath which these
deposits Of brine may be found. Tho
Michigan salt group has wide extent
in the state, though thus far the great
est successes have como from the Sagi-
nav valley. Where the lowest horizon
is found in the salt group the brine is
found to be the strongest greatest in
amount and best In quality. 1t is for
this reason that salt wells in the Sagi-
nav valley have proved to be moro val
liable than elsewhere. 1t Is the region
in which the greatest depression occurs.
The salt group here lies at depth
reaching to more than 1000 feet below.
the surface of tho lake. At what depth
below tho surface Of the lake this brine
is found the writer is unable to state
OF one thing there is an apparent GER
tainty, that the supply of the brine is
inexhaustible. The extent to which the
manufacture Of salt in Michigan may
be carried on is one Of cost and demand.
Tho brine may be assumed as existing
in quantity far in excess Of our ability
to diminish it,
OF tho two modes Of securing the
evaporation Of the water, either by the
application Of solar or artificial heat,
tho latter is tho method mainly resort
ed to in the Saginaw valley. Solar cvap-
oihtlOll 10 cltClcu W SApoolhS WV VI Aho
in shallow wooden watts. Such watts as
are used are about 8 feet square and
inches deep. They are supported OH
posts above the ground and are provided
with roof, which is readily moved on
the vats or off from them to cover tho
brine from the rain or to expose it to
the sun, as required. The process is be-
L., Co.
in July, the product of the second fill
ing Is taken. out the 1st Of September,
and tho third and final removal occurs
tho last Of October The annual product
of single salt vat Of this size is so
bushels.
A kettle block contains 80 or GO ket.
ties, set close together and in rows in
closed in stonework or brickwork. A
launder connects with cistern kept
filled with brine and runs along be-
tween the rows Of kettles, and from this
launder the brine is drawn out into the
kettles by opening a lateral spout.
When 70 per cent of the water has been
boiled away, the salt is dipped out into
a basket or sieve to allow the water to
Iuu Out VI ~ ulttI "hlCu ~ 10 CluptACu
into bin, where, after sufficient time
about two weeks-it is ready to be
put into barrels. But the greatest ad-
vance in tho way Of cheapeniug the cost
Of the salt production has been achieved
by tho use Of steam to afford heat for
evaporation. For this purpose the ex-
haust steam Of the great mills i'll the
Saginaw region is used.
Pans are also made use Of. A 80 call
ed pan block, consisting Of "settler"
pan, and packing room are inclosed in the
same building. The brine is drawn
from the settler into the pan, to the bot
tom of which the fire is directly ap-
piled, making the evaporation very rap
id and causing the salt to form continu-
ously.
Tho salt business in Michigan has
swollen from the manufacture in 1860
Of 4, 900 barrels to 3, 967, 266 in 1895.
The estimated capacity Of tho 1l3
firms now engaged i'll the manufacture
of salt in this state is 5, 900. 900 barrels
per year. Detroit Free Press.