34 
[Assembly 
There are various modes of applying artificial heat in the manufac- 
ture of salt, other than that employed in the ordinary process of boiling 
in kettles. In one arrangement, tubes heated by steam pass through a 
vat or vats of considerable extent, the brine having previously been 
freed from its insoluble impurities, by being allowed to remain for some 
time in the cistern, or by the addition of lime. This furnishes salt in 
fine cubic crystals of great purity, especially in those parts of the vats 
which are at some distance from the immediate source of heat. The 
works of Dr. Green, at Salina, are arranged in this manner, and are 
especially deserving of notice, on account of the neatness which is every 
where observable, and the economy with which the different steps of 
the manufacture are conducted. 
Great improvements have been made within a few years in the blocks j 
or furnaces, at the Onondaga springs, in which by far the largest propor- 
tion of salt is still manufactured. These have not only been much in- 
creased in size, but the heat is at present much more advantageously ap- 
plied. Instead of the twelve or fourteen kettles, which fifteen years 
since was the usual number, they are now supplied with from thirty - 
two to forty. 
In concluding this notice of the brine springs of Onondaga county, 
I feel it my duty to acknowledge the many obligations I am under to 
Dr. Wright, the superintendent, and to Judge Allen, the inspector, at 
these w^orks, for the assistance which they constantly afforded me in my 
examination of this interesting region. I am also indebted to several 
gentlemen of Syracuse for much valuable information, and many grati- 
fying civilities. And 1 cannot omit the present opportunity of advert- 
ing to the many advantages possessed by the district which contains 
these springs, and to the manner in which they have been improved. 
Situated on the banks of the great Erie and Oswego canals, the exhaust- 
less treasures which these brine springs afford, can be easily transported 
to the east, west and north, and can be carried at a comparatively cheap 
rate to every part of the northern States. In addition to this, Syra- 
cuse, which is now by common consent admitted to be the centre of 
the salt region, forms the termination of the rail-road from the Split 
Rock stone quarries, where limestone of the best quality for the con- 
struction of locks and aqueducts is obtained in enormous quantity, and 
some of the strata of which afford the beautiful bird's eye marble, sus- 
ceptible of a fine polish ,^and much admired for mantle and other orna- 
ments. It is, moreover, the termination of the Auburn and Syracuse 
rail-road, which will contribute greatly to the prosperity of both these 
