(1064)
aforesaid with Brine then taken up, weighed, beside the Bottle, two pound four ounces and one drachme: the same time the Bottle, filled as in the former Experiment weighed just two pounds and an halfe, which is three drachms more than the quart mark before; which boyl'd into Salt made six ounces six drachms and two scrupless which exceeds the former quantity of Salt, one ounce four drachms and two scruples, though the Brine exceeded the former in weight but four drachms.
By which Tryal I confuted also a Tradition, which the Briners have amongst them, viz. That the Brine is strongest at times of the Spring-Tydes, to wit, at the Full and Change of the Moon. For March 8th. aforesaid was only one day past the Full, and then the Brine was weaker than it was the 13th day, when 'twas 6. days past the Full. So that I conclude, there could be no other reason, than that the much drawing makes way for the Salt-springs to come the quicker, and allows the less time for the admission of Fresh Springs.
6. What is the Manner of their Work? or What Time of boyling the Salt-water? Whether they use any peculiar thing to make it granulate, and if so, What that is? Their manner of working is this: They have formerly boyl'd their Brine in 6. Leaden pans with wood-fire; upon which accompt they all claime their interest in the Pitt by the name of so many Six Leads Walling; by which they each know their proportion; but in the memory of many alive they changed their 6. Leads into 4 Iron-pans, something better than a yard square, and about 6. inches deep, still fitting the Content of these to that of the 6. Leads: and of late many have changed the 4 Iron-pans into two greater; and some Wall but in one: But still the Rulers gage it to their Old proportions. Thus much seem'd necessary for understanding the Several Operations.
They use for their Fewell, Pit-coals, brought out of Stafford-shire. These Panns are set upon Iron-barrs, and made in, on all sides, very close (that the flame nor smoak break through) with clay and bricks. They first fill their Pans with Brine out of the Pitt; which coms to them in several Woodden Gutters: then they put into their Panns amongst their Brine a certain mixture, made of about 20. Gallons or Brine, and 2. quarts of Calves Cows and chiefly Sheeps bloud, mixt into a Claret Colour: Ofthis
