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At that time, a common way of testing the salt content of a spring and, therefore, deciding if it would prove profitable to establish salt works there was to throw a handful of salt into the water. The rate at which the salt dissolved helped one to estimate the salt content.

If the salt content was sufficient to make salt, there was the problem of improving the water supply so that water could be obtained in quantity. Sometimes, wells were dug, and the water was obtained by means of a bucket at the end of a sweep. In other instances, ditches diverted the water from the spring into a catch basin, and the water was obtained by dipping the salt kettles into the basin by means of a sweep. Finally, some wells were drilled by means of a bit or chisel dropped from an upright structure of some sort. Wooden casings made from trees, hollowed by hand augers, were inserted into the wells. In such cases, salt makers relied on natural pressure or pumps powered by horses to bring the water to the surface. (2)

The next major improvement necessary to manufacture salt was the building of a furnace, usually constructed of rocks, dirt, and clay, walled up on the sides. These structures varied in size according to the size of the enterprise. Small works had only one furnace which held ten or twelve kettles, and,larger ones had three furnaces which held up to twenty-five kettles each. Often two rows of kettles were placed on each furnace. A furnace twelve feet wide could accommodate two rows. Some furnaces had chimneys at one end to create a draft and make the fire hotter. Furnaces were usually covered by a shed so that operation of the works could continue during rainy weather.
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2. See W. S. Ray, "Early Days in Sevier County:" Publications of the Arkansas Historical

Association (Conway, 1917), IV, 198-189; interview with Bird Doublehead in Indian-Pioneer History, III, 191-192, Indian Archives, Division, Okla. Historical Society; and Deposition of B. W. Alberty, Office of Indian Affairs, Claims of Estates of Bluford West and John W. West against the Cherokee Nation, in Cherokee-Salines, Grant Foreman Collection, Indian Archives Division, Okla. Historical Society. The following composite description of salt works of the period is from these sources as well as from interviews with nineteenth century set makers of the region in Indian-Pioneer History, X, 247, and CV, 76

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