29 1 [Assembly 



said on the subject. I do know however of a large number of 

 ca^^es in which the most skilled have failed to distinguish one 

 from the other, and of many other cases in which the "knowing 

 ones " have shown themselves most entirely mistaken. Excellent 

 butter is made in those parts of Ijiis Sta.ie wh^ie Ouondaga salt is 

 used, equal I have no doubt to that where foreign is made use of. 



To the above may also be added ihe following from my report 

 to the Superintendent of Onondaga salt springs^ last year : . 



*' The various charges made against Onondaga salt, are most va- 

 ried in character, and many of them exceedingly vague in their 

 statements. Large quantities of provisions are undoubtedly spoil- 

 ed every year, but there is no testimony to show that more are 

 lost by the use of Onondaga than of other salt. Still, if they are 

 spoiled or injured, and some cause must be assigned, tliere is none 

 more convenient than bad salt. It is undoubtedly true, that pro- 

 visions will spoil if an insufficient quantity of salt is used. It is 

 also true that salted meats frequently spoil, though enough salt is 

 used, if they get out of the luine and are not covered with salt, 

 and in hot climates they even spoil when covered with brine, if 

 there is not a plenty of salt over them.'' 



Knowing that the English Cheshire salt \Yiis very much like 

 Onondaga salt in purity, and that it was all made by artificial 

 heat, I addressed a letter of inquiry to B. P. Jolmson, Esq., Sec- 

 retary (^f the New^-York State Agricultural Society, at that time 

 in Lond\»n, as Commi^sloner from the State of New- York at the 

 World's Fair. The f dluwing is his answer : 



LoNDOK, July 29lh, 1S51. 



"Prof. Cook: 



The following infurmation I obtained from the most extensive 

 packer of provisions in London, and it is eniirely reliable. From 

 what I learned from the provision dealers in London, on the sub- 

 ject of the practice in Ireland, I am led to believe it is substan- 

 tially the same as in London. 



Very respectfully yours, 



B. P. JOIINSOX, 

 Comraissioner State of JVewYork. 



