38 
[Assembly 
ever, have already been noticed in the remarks which have been offered 
upon this point. 
In 1823, the salt made at the Montezuma springs amounted to be- 
tween sixteen and twenty thousand bushels, of which about a thousand 
were procured by solar evaporation. Since that time, the annual pro- 
duce has gradually decreased, until at present it does not exceed a few 
hundred bushels. 
This great depression of the manufacture is owing to several circum- 
stances. One of these undoubtedly is the rudeness of the pump- works. 
The brine is raised by hand or horse power, and the tubes are so imper- 
fectly constructed, that fresh water is continually flowing in and redu- 
cing its strength. The soil is moreover owned by individuals, and the 
manufacturer is obliged to purchase or lease it, as well as to erect his 
works. At the Onondaga springs, on the contrary, grounds are furnish- 
ed by the State without charge. 
Again, the inferior strength of the Montezuma brine has operated un- 
favorably upon the manufacture at this place. On the other hand, the 
advantages possessed here, are an abundant supply of wood, and eligible 
sites for the erection of works on a side cut from the Erie canal. And 
it seems to be reasonable and proper that the State should erect pump- 
works at these springs, as she has at those of Onondaga. The impor- 
tance of this suggestion will be evident from the fact which I have on 
the authority of an intelligent gentleman of Montezuma, that the cost 
of raising brine by the rude machinery which they are now obliged to 
use, is not less than six cents a bushel. If a good well should be sunk 
here, and pump works erected under the direction of the State, as at 
Salina, Syracuse, &c. a new stimulus would be given to the manufac- 
ture of salt at these springs. Such an arrangement would add to the 
revenue of the State, while it could in no way interfere with the ma- 
nufacture at the Onondaga springs. With these views, I beg leave to 
present this subject to the notice of those who are entrusted with the 
management of this important concern. 
Analysis of the Montezuma brine. 
Specific gravity 1.07543. 1000 parts of the brine yield 101.20 
dry solid matter. The composition of the whole is as follows: 
