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BOOK XII.

the likeness of many objects, as for instance tablets. These tablets andcones are kept in the higher part of the third room of the house, or else onthe flat bench of the same height, in order that they may dry better in thewarm air. In the manner I have described, a master and his helper continueone after the other, alternately boiling the brine and moulding the salt,day and night, with the exception only of the annual feast days. No caldronis able to stand the fire for more than half a year. The master pours in waterand washes it out every week ; when it is washed out he puts straw underit and pounds it ; new caldrons he washes three times in the first twoweeks, and afterward twice. In this manner the incrustations fall fromthe bottom; if they are not cleared off, the salt would have to be mademore slowly over a fiercer fire, which requires more brine and bums theplates of the caldron. If any cracks make their appearance in the caldronthey are filled up with cement. The salt made during the first two weeks isnot so good, being usually stained by the rust at the bottom where incrusta-tions have not yet adhered.

Although salt made in this manner is prepared only from the brine of

SOTS 3A

A—Pool. B—Pots. C —Ladle. D—Pans. E —Tongs.