25 



seemed excellent, and the appearance of the salt was such as might 

 be expected in the best. 



As to the chemical composition of the salt, the analyses of Prof. 

 Cook and others show it to be remarkably good, which testimony is 

 supported by the experiments made under the direction of the U. S. 

 Government, during the years 1854-7, and in the report of which 

 it is stated to be equal to the best imported salts used for simi- 

 lar purposes, as Turk's Island and St. Ubes, and in consequence is 

 allowed to be used by contractors in the packing of pork and beef 

 for the army and navy. The same salt, ground, is also exhibited 

 to be used for various purposes. It undoubtedly possesses the same 

 properties as are found in the unground salt. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



CHARLES H. PORTER, 

 Chemist to K Y. State Agricultural Society. 



The above report was read and approved by the Executive Com- 

 mittee, and ordered to be published. 



B. P. JOHNSON, Corresponding Sect'y. 



LETTER FROM HOK A. B. DICKINSON. ** 



From the Country Gentleman and Cultivator. 



MESSERS. EDITORS : I have lately received a letter from our mu- 

 tual friend and your long-time correspondent, the Hon. A. B. Dick- 

 inson, now Minister resident from the United States to Nicaragua, 

 Central America, of sufficient interest to bear transcribing in part 

 for your columns. It is mostly for the testimony he gives in favor 

 of our Salt, which the Major long persisted in condemning when 

 used especially in the curing of butter for winter consumption or 

 shipment, that I am induced to ask for its publication, although the 

 hints he furnishes as to the proper conditions for good butter mak- 

 ing will not be overlooked bya certain portion of your readers. 



The particular description of salt to which Major D. refers, as 

 having been used in the butter forwarded to him at Leon, is that 

 known at the works and in the market as "factory filled" not a 

 good name, by the way, but perhaps sufficiently distinctive till a 

 better shall be invented. There is no question that this is the pur- 

 est salt ever made in this country, and that for those who undertake 

 to furnish butter of the highest quality, for long keeping or for 

 shipment, no other should be employed. It is every way equal to 

 the finest quality of "Ashton," (Lirerpool,) and more uniformly 

 good than that. No doubt the Major's prejudices against Ononda- 

 ga, which have been conquered by our "factory filled," were hon- 

 estly enough derived and entertained. They arose probably from 

 the failure of the common article of Onondaia kettle salt to keep 

 a superior quality of butter in a sweet, unaltered condition for 



