APPENDIX B. 



193 



discharged from time to time, as its presence not only impairs the 

 quality, but diminishes the quantity of the salt deposited." 



The time required for the evaporation of sufificient pickle to make 

 a crop of salt depends largely upon the weather, dry and clear 

 weather being, of course, most favorable ; six weeks to two months is 

 the usual time. Three crops of salt a season are gathered — the first 

 about the middle of July, the second in the early part of Septem- 

 ber, and the third at the end of October. The second crop is 

 generally the best, as it is coarser than the others. 



The crop of solar salt is gathered by first loosening it from the 

 bottom of the " covers" with a rake or spud. It is then washed in 

 the pickle that is still left in the cover, and "gathered " to the street 

 gunwale. Here it is shovelled into draining tubs, to remain a short 

 time before being emptied into the salt carts for removal to the salt 

 bins for further drainage. 



TREATMENT OF CRUDE PRODUCT. 



The legal time, fourteen days, required for drainage having passed, 

 the bins are opened and the salt is packed in barrels holding five 

 bushels, or 280 lbs. — each barrel being branded with the name of 

 the firm or person manufacturing the same. 



GRADES AND QUALITY OF MICHIGAN SALT. 



The salt product has been divided by the State Inspector into 

 the following grades : 



Fme. — In barrels, 280 lbs., suitable for general use for all family 

 purposes. 



Packers. — In barrels, 280 lbs., suitable for packing and bulking meat 

 and fish. One of the best and purest grades of salt, and branded 

 when coarse, C Packers C. 



Solar. — In barrels, 280 lbs. ; when screened, branded C Solar C for 

 coarse and F Solar F for finer grades. Solar salt suitable for bulk- 

 ing meats. 



Second Quality. — All salt intended for No. i of any of the above 

 grades, when for any cause it is condemned by the inspector, is 

 branded Second Quality and sold as such. This salt is good for 

 salting stock, hay, hides, etc. 

 13 



