The supply at present afforded might be trebled with very little trouble or expense.
If a stick is inserted in the mud, so that one end stands above water, the salt crystallizes upon it in a large lump of several pounds' weight.

This is of a better quality than that which is gathered from the bottom, being free from sand or other impurities.

Innumerable samples of this may be seen upon the stakes which the natives have stuck in the bottom to mark the line of their day's work.

These, not being removed, amass a collection of salt as described.
Were the government anxious to increase the produce of these natural reservoirs, nothing could be more simple than to plant the whole lake with rows of stakes.

The wood is on the spot, and the rate of labor sixpence a day per man; thus it might be accomplished for a comparatively small amount.
This would not only increase the produce to an immense degree, but it would also improve the purity of the collection, and would render facilities for gathering the crop by means of boats, and thus obviate the necessity of entering the water; at present the suffering caused by the latter process is a great drawback to the supply of labor.