334 



Below tlie strata last noted in the above table, the borinsrshave contin- 

 ued through a further depth of 150 feet, but the data received are not 

 sufficiently minute to enable me to extend the table. From the infor- 

 mation obtained, they would seem to have passed through mostly soft, 

 light colored sand rocks, of a coarse grain, and with a shaip grit, and in 

 the lower portions containing cavities, into which the drill sometimes 

 fells several inches. Particles of salt were brought up, and the rock 

 yields a very strong brine. 



AU the stmta, from the depth of 81 to 179 feet, oruntilthe sandrock 

 was reached, were strongly impregnated with saline particles, and yield- 

 ed brine one-fifth saturated. These clay slates and marls may be re- 

 garded as the " upper salt rock," and they are thus shown to furnish a 

 brine superior in strength, to that of many of the salt wells of Ohio, 

 and which, even could no stronger brine be obtained, is capable of sus- 

 taining a profitable manufacture. 



The brine now obtained, at a depth below the above, of about 230 

 feet, may be supposed to proceed, by veins, from the " lower salt rock," 

 lying at still greater depth, and from which the strongest and best sup- 

 pUes of brine in our State may be exjjected to be obtained. 



The immense quantity of fresh or slightly brackish water, which is 

 discharged through the orifice, (equal to a hogshead per minute,) in 

 the present state of the operations, renders it impossible to decide, with 

 absolute certainty, what will be the full strength, as well as supply, of 

 the strong brine ; but from that which can be obtained, it is estimated 

 that of the brine which the well is now capable of furnishing, from 50 

 to 60 gallons only will be required to produce a bushel of salt. This, it 

 will be seen, is equal in point of strength, to that obtained from the salt 

 wells on the Kenawha River of the Ohio, where the borings are carried 

 to about the same depth, and at which are manufactured, annually, 

 from one to two millions of bushels of salt. Next to those of the State 

 of New York, the Kenawha salt wells are considered the best in the 

 Union. 



In addition to the quality of the brine obtained, the advantages for the 

 manufacture of salt at the point under consideration, are not exceeded 

 at those places in our country, where the manufacture is conducted to 

 the largest extent. The supply of wood for fuel and other necessary 

 purposes, is abundant, and will tend greatly to reduce the price for 



