70 University Geological Survey of Kansas. 
crusted soil in the distance, the appearance is like that of a 
chain of lakes, and, indeed, a much closer inspection is neces- 
sary to destroy the illusion. A stream of fresh water flows in 
from the east, but after running a short distance it entirely dis- 
appears, nor does it dissolve very much saline matter in its 
course. Except in the rainy seasons, the marsh consists of 
‘hummocks’ and dried-up lake basins, incrusted with mineral 
salts. 
‘The saline incrustation is thick after a period of drought, 
but ordinarily it is thin, and, in some places, plumose, as if 
brought to the surface by the moisture of the soil. The in- 
crustation found on the Tuthill marsh is quite similar in com- 
position to the alkali waters of the Western plains. The soluble 
part of this substance has the following composition, as shown 
by an analysis made in the laboratory of the State University : 
(Tronvan da luminUmMlOXIG Sinner nner 13 
Calcium: sulfate..3< <. 9. aoe Bek eee ee ee eee 599 
Magnesium sulfate .... 2: saison oe CRC er cece iL, AY) 
Sodium carbonate and organic matter (undetermined)....... 3.56 
Sodium-sulfate:o..0 0. ck aka ce cea Oe eee 21.98 
Sodium: chlorids..: ..25.0 ae eee eee 71.82 
Insoluble résidue 5. 8 eos eee 5 OS 
100.00 
"Tn the manufacture of salt, Mr. Tuthill would collect the 
salt scales from over the marsh and dissolve them in water, al- 
low the earthy impurities to subside, and siphon off the clear 
brine and evaporate it to dryness to recover the salt and other 
impurities. When the weather was not favorable for the forma- 
tion of salt scales over the marsh, he would dip or pump the 
brine from small wells and haul it to his little salt factory. The 
brine was evaporated from large kettles in much the same way 
that our fathers evaporated sugar water in Indiana, Ohio, and 
the Eastern states. At present this seems like a very primitive 
method, but at that time it was in accordance with the most ap- 
proved process. Portions of the arch of Mr. Tuthill’s kettle 
salt plant still stand to mark the spot of his primitive factory. 
‘‘In the early sixties Mr. Tuthill made salt and hauled it to 
31. Mineral Resources of Kansas, 1898, E. Haworth and M. Z. Kirk. 
