f 369 ] 
and all other Occafions of thofe Colonies, fo as 
to become a co n fid er able Branch of their Trade. 
The Author has fupported all thefe Propofuions 
with great Ingenuity,* but I cannot pafs over in Si- 
lence the artificial means to promote the Evapora- 
tion of Sea-Water, mention'd in ‘Prop . III. as well 
as to preferve the Brine contained in the Salt-Pits 
from being diluted with Rains. I therefore fhall lay 
before you a fhort Account of thefe. 
It will be proper, fays our Author, to make all 
the Salt-Pits of the Marfh in one long Row ex- 
tended from Eaft to Wed, and for each Pit to make 
Covers of thin Boards, or rather of coarfe Canvas, 
or Sail-Cloth, dretched on Frames of Wood and 
painted white. Thefe Covers mud all be fixed with 
Hinges to drong Pods and Beams on the North 
Side of the Pits; fo that they may be let down and 
drawn up with Cords and Pulleys, or by fome 
other Contrivance, fomewhat like Draw' bridges. 
Thefe Covers thus fixed may be let down over the 
Pits like a Shed or Pcnthoufe in rainy Weather ; 
and in dry Weather may be erected almod to a 
a Perpendicular, but inclining a little towards the 
South; fo as to form a Wall with a South AfpcfL 
Thus thefe may ferve a double Purpofe, as Cover- 
ings for the Pits in wet Weather, and as Refie&ors 
of the Sun’s Heat upon them in dry Weather, and 
thus greatly promote the Evaporation of the aqueous 
Parts of the Brine. The Hinges on which the Re- 
fle&ors turn may be fixed about eight or ten Inches 
from the Ground ; by which meads, when the Re- 
fleflors dand upright, there will be an Opening left 
beneath them, through which the Air will continu- 
ally 
