as the front and the back pan. The brine passes from the latter to the former, the supply being kept up to supply decrease due to evaporation. The grain of the salt is sometimes controlled by adding glue, soft soap, or other material during the process of evaporation. In the kettle process the brine is evaporated in kettles having a capacity of about 120 gallons. In the bottom of the kettle there is set a pan having a vertical handle. This is for the purpose of catching the gypsum and iron which separate first. When these substances have been precipitated the pan is carefully withdrawn.
In the mining of rock salt the deposits are worked by the usual shafts and chambers, and the product when brought to the surface is either shipped in large lumps or put through a breaker, which is a building containing a series of crushers, toothed rolls, and screens, for the purpose of breaking up the salt and separating it into the various sizes.
Salt has been and still is used to some extent as a fertilizer. It belongs to the class of soil amendments or improvers. (See Manures.)
Since it supplies no essential element of plant food, its value as a soil improver is probably due to its physical action (attraction for water, etc.), or to its ability to set free inert plant food in the soil. See Composts.
Bibliography. Cadell, “The Salt Deposit at Stassfurt,” Transactions Edinburgh Geological Society, v., pt. i. (Edinburgh, 1885); Chatard, “Salt-making Processes in the United States,” Seventh Annual Report United States Geological Survey, p. 497 (Washington, 1888); Merrill, “Salt and Gypsum Industries in New York,” Bulletin New York State Museum, iii., No. 11 (Albany); Lucas, “Rock Salt in Louisiana,” Transactions American Institute Mining Engineers, vol. xxxix. (New York, 1899); Veatch, “The Salines of North Louisiana,” Report on the Geology of Louisiana, Geological Survey of Louisiana for 1902 (Baton Rouge); Bailey, “Brines and Their Industrial Use,” University Geological Survey of Kansas, vol. vii. (Topeka, 1902); Root. “The Manufacture of Salt and Bromine,” Geological Survey of Ohio, vol. vi. (Norwalk); Cummins, “Salt in Northwestern Texas,” Texas Geological Survey, Second Annual Report, p. 444 (Austin, 1891); Bailey, “Saline Deposits of California,” Bulletin California State Mining Bureau, 1902 (San Francisco).
For statistics, see volumes on Mineral Resources, issued annually by the United States Geological Survey (Washington), and also The Mineral Industry (New York, annual).
SALT, Sir Titus (1803-76). An English manufacturer, born at Morley, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. He learned the wool-stapling business, and in 1824 entered into partnership with his father at Bradford. He was the first to make practical use of Donskoi wool in worsted manufacture, and in 1836 he introduced alpaca to the British market. In 1853 he opened a great factory a few miles from Bradford, on the River Aire, about which there soon grew up the town of Saltaire. His factories were built with special regard to warmth, light, and ventilation, and in the town he erected hundreds of model dwellings, a public dining hall, factory schools, public baths, and other conveniences. He was created a baronet in 1869. Consult: Balgarnie, Life of Sir Titus Salt; and Holyrod, Saltaire and Its Founder.
SALTA, säl′tȧ. A northwestern province of Argentina, bordering on Bolivia and Chile (Map: Argentina, D 8). Area, 45,000 square miles. The western half is occupied by Andean ranges, while the eastern part belongs to the Gran Chaco. It is abundantly watered and contains a considerable area of agricultural land. Grain, sugar, and various kinds of fruit are raised successfully. The mountains contain gold, silver, copper, and other minerals, but the principal occupations of the inhabitants are agriculture and cattle-raising. Population, in 1900, 131,938. Capital, Salta.
SALTA. The capital of the Province of Salta, Argentina, situated among the mountains, 135 miles northwest of Tucumán (Map: Argentina, D 8). The town is well built with paved streets, and has a cathedral, a national college, and a normal school. A railroad runs to Buenos Ayres and an important trade is carried on with Bolivia. Population, in 1895, 16,672; in 1901 (estimated), 17,500.
SALT BUSH. See Atriplex.
SALT-CAKE. A name applied to the crude sodium sulphate obtained when sodium chloride is treated with sulphuric acid. See Soda.
SALTILLO, sȧl-tēl′yṓ, or Leona Vicario. The capital of the State of Coahuila, Mexico, situated on the plateau 5200 feet above sea-level and 45 miles southwest of Monterey, on the Mexican National Railroad (Map: Mexico, H 5). It is regularly laid out, and has a handsome church, a college, an athenæum, and the Madero Institute, containing a library. The chief industries are the manufacture of blankets and shawls, cotton cloth, and flour. The town is an important trade centre. Population, in 1895, 26,801. Saltillo was founded in 1586 as an outpost against the Apaches. Near the city is Buena Vista, the scene of a battle between the Mexican and the United States forces in 1847.
SALTIRE. One of the ordinaries in heraldry (q.v.).
SALT LAKE CITY. The capital of Utah and the county seat of Salt Lake County, near the Jordan River and 12 miles southeast of Great Salt Lake; 676 miles west by north of Denver (Map: Utah, B 1). The Union Pacific, the Rio Grande Western, the Utah Central, and other railroads enter the city. Salt Lake City holds a unique place among the towns of the United States as the headquarters of the Latter Day Saints, generally known as Mormons (q.v.). It is situated in a spacious valley, more than 4300 feet above the sea, and surrounded by mountains. To the east is Fort Douglas (q.v.), a United States Government military post, with an extensive reservation. There are hot sulphur springs in the vicinity, and on the shores of Great Salt Lake (q.v.) are several bathing resorts, of which Saltair and Garfield Beach are the most popular. The city has an area of more than 51 square miles. It is laid out on a grand scale, the streets being broad and regular, and pleasantly shaded. Irrigation ditches line the thoroughfares. Lawns and gardens add to the general attractiveness. Many of the wards contain public squares. Liberty Park has an area of 110 acres.
