300
per ton, according to situation, and other circumstances. Saitis subjected to an Excise duty of 6s. per bushel of 56 lib., andthe selling price is about 9s.; so that this useful article is taxedmore than double its prime-cost.
The duty paid on salt, for the year ending the 5th January181S, amounted to 107,649^. 17s. 9d.
An improved method of making salt has been lately introduced,by Mr James Smith of Newten-upon-Ayr. His invention con-sists in successfully applying steam to heat the sea-water, for thepurpose of evaporating to crystallization, which may be done invarious ways ; and in the particular construction of his appara-tus. His boiler is 21 £ feet in length, 11 feet wide, and 21 inchesdeep ; made of iron, and covered with a top of wood, raised 5feet. At the commencement of the process, the boiler is filledwith sea-water to a convenient height, and the boiling is conti-nued 24 hours. The loss occasioned by evaporation is supplied,by adding fresh quantities of sea-water, until the brine is to bereduced to the proper degree of concentration for running intothe salting pan. This brine is now run into a wooden cistern,where it remains at rest during the time the salt is taken fromthe pan, and all impurities mechanically mixed with it subside,leaving it completely purified. The brine is then run into thecrystallizing pan, which is an iron vessel, 40 feet long, 7£- wide,andiHnches deep. A day’s boiling produces as much brine asfills this vessel to the height of 4 inches; which being heated bythe steam to 170 of Fahrenheit, produces 15 to 18 cwt. of salt,leaving the sulphates and muriates of magnesia and lime behindin a liquid state. The steam arising from the boiler is applied toheat other vessels containing water, which being concentrated byevaporation, is run into the boiler, and reduced to the crystalli-zing point. Thus, the heat of the fire and the heat of the steamare both employed to produce evaporation, and act, in a twofolddegree, to effectuate the same object.
The advantage of Mr Smith’s method is, that 10 cwt. of coal twill make as much salt as 20 or 25 cwt. by the usual process; sothat the saving of fuel is fully one half: besides, a better articleis produced, as the salt is freed from all impurities, does not li-quify, and is fit for many purposes to which the common kindmade in Scotland is not applicable.
15. Tobacco and Snuff.
The tobacco manufactured in Scotland , is chiefly importedfrom America; and great quantities are consumed by all ranks.
1. Tobacco for chewing, consists of the leaves of the plant,spun by a machine into what is termed Twist or Pig-tail. Thegrist of this article is varied from the common size of about threeleet to six feet per ounce. It is generally coiled up, and sold