'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎219] (352/458)

SALT MANUFACTURE.
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rite like Bath eolith-called, from the name of the place whence it comes, Pore-
bunder stone.
Salt.— One of the most extensive manufactures on our shores is that of Sea
Salt ; and, simple as the process seems, it is far from devoid of ingenuity or
interest. Amongst the numerous islands which fringe the Malabar Coast there
are countless narrows, creeks and inlets, left dry at low tide ; the expanse of mud
then exposed being often enormous. Off the shores of Sewree the tide at springs
retires nearly two miles: and this is nothing at all out of the way in the neighbour
bood. When salt-pans are proposed to be established, the first thing is to construct
a mud embankment,—a foundation for it beinor selected where the water is never
more than four or five feet deep. The crest of the embankment is made to sur
mount this by two or three feet—the base of ifc is generally from two to three times
its height. Openings are purposely left at intervals in the principal embankment,
and from these, at right angles to the main of the wall, other embankments are
ran inland, parallel to each other, leaving a current between large enough to admit
of a line of salt bouts running up. Immediately behind the embankments the
salt-pans are laid down. These consist of rectangular compartments, from twenty
to thirty feet across, and commonly twice as long as they are broad, and from a
foot to a foot and.a half in depth. They are separated from each other by little
mud walls about three feet across at bottom, and two at top, more or less, accord
ing as little channels for filling the pans are meant to be run along them or not.
Two, three, or four, lines of pans, according to the extent of the back water, are
carried along the rear of each embankment-care being taken to leave un area of
h nd capable of being flooded by the sea betwixt the pans and the mainland, three
or lour times the size of the pans themselves. So soon as the monsoon is fairly
over, all the fresh water that has accumulated in the pans or back water is run off
and in November or December the sea is admitted to the back water through a
sluice in the embankment. The pans are now carefully cleaned out, their floors,
and walls being made smooth and nice. In about a month after it has been
admitted to the back water, the sea-water, now getting reduced in quantity, and
increased in saltness by evaporation, is let into the pans. The first charge requires
about six weeks to evaporate: subsequent charges are dried up in half the time of
the first, thus diminishing as the season becomes hotter, and the brine more strong.
The strength of the brine is judged of by its becoming red: in fact, a curious
variety of creature, of the volvax kind, which seems never happy unless in a pickle
—the same as is to be found in a fossil state in the Punjaub rock-salt, and which
often tinges the waters of our sea shores as if stained with blood,—makes its
appearance just as the salt is ready to crystallise,—often tinting the salt itself of
a fine pinkish hue. When very nearly dry the salt, which has now accumulated
to the thickness of an inch or two, is raked off; the upper port'on, which is beauti
fully white, and almost quite pure, being first taken,—the lower portion, often
crystallised in pieces of half an inch cul e, is taken up next,—it is slightly mixed
with clay, and is that generally in use. The white and b’msh salt are now piled