274 [Assembly- 



for making grey salt. By mixing this clay with the pure white- 

 salt, in tlie process of manufacture, they could produce an article 

 demanded by some of their customers, who seemed to think the 

 excellence and strength of salt depended on the darkness of ita 

 color. 



^he amount of provisions damaged, and spoiled every year is 

 enormously large. I have no accurate statistics to show the 

 amount with precision, but both packers and dealers unite in the 

 statement, that the losses from these causes are very great. In the 

 fall of the year, it not unfrequently happens that great quantities 

 of meat becomes tainted after it is salted, and before the salt 

 strikes^ and beef in particular, even when not otherwise damaged,. 

 is darker colored for being packed in warm w^eather. Beef 

 packed in casks made of green w^ood, is sometimes made quite 

 black on its surface, from this cause. Pork packed in March or 

 April, is very liable to rust. And it is not unusually the case,, 

 that with an over anxiety to preserve meat, persons add an extra 

 quantity of salt, this of itself is a serious injury to it, and will give 

 it a black color. But upon these various points, I am glad to be 

 able to present the results of the experience of an inspector and 

 packer of beef and pork, who has been engaged in the business 

 for many years past, and who has coming under his observation 

 annually, from 25,000 to 50,000 barrels. C. Seguine, Esq., No. 

 518 Washington Street, New-York, has very obligingly furnished 

 to me answers to the following questions. 



New- York. Feb 15M 1853. 

 Mr. Geo. H. Cook, 

 Dear sir — Accompanying this I send you answers to your que= 

 ries transmitted ahmg with yours of the 19th ult., with which I 

 also received "the report named. 



I have found it a matter of more difficulty than I had supposed,. 

 to find time to give the subject the attention that its, importance 

 demands, and am fearful that you will be much disappointed in the 

 matter and manner of my replies. The qualities that go far to 

 make a successful business man are not such as w^ould qualify him 

 to generalize on paper, in my own case I have felt it to a painful 



