The water; at present the
suffering caused by the latter process is a great drawback to the
supply of labor. So powerful is the brine that the legs and feet
become excoriated after two or three days' employment, and the
natives have accordingly a great aversion to the occupation.
Nothing could be easier than gathering the crop by the method
proposed. Boats would paddle along between the rows of stakes,
while each stick would be pulled up and the salt disengaged by a
single blow; the stick would then be replaced n its position
until the following season.
Nevertheless, although so many specimens exist of this
accumulation, the method which was adopted by the savage is still
followed by the soi-disant civilized man.
In former days, when millions occupied Ceylon, the demand for
salt must doubtless have been in proportion, and the lakes which
are now so neglected must have been taxed to their utmost
resources. There can be little doubt that the barbarians of
those times had some more civilized method of increasing the
production than the enlightened race of the present day.
The productive salt lakes are confined entirely to the south of
Ceylon. Lakes and estuaries of sea-water abound all round the
island, but these are only commonly salt, and do not yield. The
north and the east coasts are therefore supplied by artificial
salt-pans. These are simple enclosed levels on the beach, into
which the sea-water is admitted, and then allowed to evaporate by
the heat of the sun. The salt of course remains at the bottom.
More water is then admitted, and again evaporated; and this
process continues until the thickness of the salt at the bottom
allows of its being collected.
This simple plan might be adopted with great success with the
powerful brine of the salt lakes, which might be pumped from its
present lower level into dry reservoirs for evaporation.
The policy of the government, however, does not tend to the
increase of any production. It is preferred to keep up the high
rate of salt by a limited supply, which meets with immediate
demand, rather than to increase the supply for the public benefit
at a reduced rate. This is a mistaken mode of reasoning. At the
present high price the consumption of salt is extremely small, is
its rise is restricted to absolute necessaries. On the other
hand, were the supply increased at one half the present rate, the
consumption would augment in a far greater proportion, as salt
would then be used for a variety of purposes which at the present
cost is impossible, viz. For the purpose of cattle-feeding,
manures, etc., etc. In addition to this, it would vastly affect
the price of salt fish (the staple article of native
consumption), and by the reduction in cost of this commodity
there would be a corresponding extension in the trade.
