THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
[Oct. I, 1897. 
256 
DENATURALIZATION OF SALT AND 
ITS USE IN AGRICULTURE. 
We are now enabled to give the translation of 
some portions of the German ]>aijers .sent to us 
by Mr. Coomaraswamy’.s friend, Herr Lange. 
These papers consi.st of: — (1) The Law concern- 
ing the Levy of a Salt Tax for the North Ger- 
man Confederation ; (2) The Ratification of the 
same by the several Confeilerated Powers bj 
name, whereby it came into operation from dan. 
1st, 1868 ; (3) A pamphlet 01 02 pages explain- 
ino' in detail the carrying out of the Law foi 
a Salt Levy of July 5tli,_1888, with exact direc- 
tions for the several parties concerned as to col- 
lection, valuation, exemptions, also giving sampie 
forms for the various registers to be kept 
by the owners of mines and worics or by the 
Customs’ otliccrs in charge of the Levy in 
the various States. These are prepared for 
a European conntry with abundant means foi 
ohecking and testing at every turn, and could 
not be adopted here ; but we give enough of the 
jiaper to enable one to see that the same piin- 
ciple might be applied under simpler forms. 
Of course the most important question, from 
a local point of view, has reference to the de- 
uaturalization of salt. Are the agents prescribed 
available, and can tliey be practically applied 
locally ? On this point we tliought it well to 
have the opinion of our local Analytical 
Chemist, Mr. M. Cochran, and it is very satis- 
factory to learn from him that he sees no 
practical difficulty. He writes as follows:— 
* “ Most of the sub.stances mentioned for de- 
naturalizing the salt for manuring purposes could 
be easily and economically applied in Ceylon in 
tlie proportions stateil, more especially charcoal, 
coal dust, soot, coconut oil, suli)hate of iron or 
green vitriol ; the latter is a cheap substance and a 
manurial and disinfectant value are claimed for 
it besides.” 
It only now remains for the Tamil Represent- 
ative, who has been the means of raising the present 
discussion by introducing us to his Gertnau 
fellow-traveller, to bring the whole question 
before the Legislative Council. He will no doubt 
be warmly supported by all the members interested 
in planting and agriculture, who, in a colony 
like this, we may say, include the whole 
Council, both official and unofficial. 
Probably the wisest course would be for Mr. 
Coomaraswamy to proiiose a Sub-Committee of 
the Council to consider the question in its 
various issues— practical, fiscal and agricultural. 
Evidence coi.ld be taken from those best able 
to give the needful information and Papers 
could be examined, and the resub ing Report 
would, we have no doubt, guide the tTOv u'nme.nt 
in arriving at a fair and liberal de. i.sion on the 
whole question 
Some little time ago, we mentioned how the 
discussion on u.sing s:ilt for agricultural imr- 
poses W'as first raised in the “sixties”; but wo 
have noNV come on an earlier reference, being a letter 
from Mr. Tytler, dated 2.3th October 1855, w-hiidi 
will be found reproduceil on another )iage. 
The translations from the German are as 
^°'^°LAW OP THE NORTH GER.VIAN 
CONFEDERACY 
(NO 1) LAW CONCERNING THE LEVY 
OF A SALT TAX, OF OCT. 12th. 1867- 
We William, by the Grace of God King of Prus- 
sia, &c., order, in consequence of the agreement of 
May Stb, 1867, entered on by the States ot the 
German Levy and Trade U nion concerning a Salt 
Tax, we older the following law in the name of the 
North German Confederacy and Imperial Diet &o.: — 
Abolition of the Salt Monopoly § I. 
The exclusive right of the State (as now existing) 
to carry on the trade in Salt is herewith and hereby 
Intp.oduction of a Salt Tax § II. 
Salt destined for inland consumption is subject 
to a tax of 2 Thalers per art., nett weight, which 
where the Salt has been procured inland, must be 
paid by the producer or owner of die mine ; but 
where the Salt has been brought in from other lands 
not belonging to the Confederacy, the introducer must 
pay the levy. 
Under Salt (kitchen-salt) are included, beside the 
made or common and the sea-salt, all s nils from which 
salt is usually separated ; the head financial aiuhoiity 
of any Confederate State is however empowered to 
allow such products to go free if there is no fear of a 
misuse of the same. 
I. Tax on Inl.and Salt. I. Notice § III. 
The procuring or refining of Salt is only permitted in 
the Salt Works, Mines and Refineries now existing 
and which have been at work at least six weeks before 
the promulgation of the law and shall have been 
anncunced to the Tax-Bureau of that district 6 weeks 
before ; a similar announcement is necessary from the 
owners of Factories in which Salt in a pure or impure 
state is acquired as a by-product. 
§.-iv. 
Every owner of Salt Works or Factory already in 
operation, which produces Salt as a by-product, must, 
within a certain time, to be fixed by the Customs 
authorities of the district, present to the Head Office 
of the circuit, in duplicate, a description of and in- 
formation concerning the mauufaccory, &c., and its 
dependencies. Every alteration in the premises as well 
as in the entrances and exits, as also in the appliances 
used and general arrangements is to be notified to the 
authorities before it is put into execution. 
A similar duty devolves on any one wishing to 
establish new or to renew former works where Salt is 
produced, boiled, or refined, or obtained as a by-pro- 
duct, or on those wishing to start working a Salt, not 
hitherto traded in. 
In building new Works or Refineries &c., the Ordi- 
nances of the levying authorities concerning fences &c., 
are to be observed, as also in erecting dwellings and 
sheds for the employes. 
Where, according to existing regulations, deductions 
for rent for officials are made, the same must be paid 
by the Salt mine owner. 
§.-v. 
Every owner of new or restored Salt works is bound 
to bear the cost of the Customs watching of the same, 
if the total yearly out put of the Salt does not a iiount 
to at least 12,00u cwt. 
II. Contkol. §. — VI. 
The institutions indicated in §. 3, ate subject to 
the control of the Customs authorities, for the discovery 
of the made salt liable to duty, as also to prevent 
any defrauding as regards the trade and business 
connections; all necessary regulations and papers 
being obtainable from these authorities. 
This coulial is exercised for each Salt Manufactory 
by a Salt-T'ax-Adn.iii.siiation specially appointed or 
directed. The Manufactories indicated in § 3 
paragraph 2 are subject to the control of the nearest 
Customs’ Administration. 
§ VII. 
According to the iustiuctions indicated in the 6th 
section, every owner of Salt-works can be obliged by 
the Customs’ authorities, — 
1. To take care t.hat the approach to the buildings 
for boiling and for drying, as well as to the chambers 
for sorting and breaking up, shall be easily overlooked 
and be protected by safe locks. 
2. So to arrange the Salt Magazine that it shall be 
satisfactorily secured from forcible or secret with- 
