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In this state, the salt is thrown into a proper fluxing furnace, where they are converted by a strong heat into a red hot mass. This is drawn off by means of a hole in the side of the furnace, and received into iron, or other moulds, and left to cool. When cold, the lumps are broke up, and packed in close casks for exportation, being then completely ready for use. Most other ashes of the pot kind are prepared after a similar process; it is therefore unnecessary here to say more respecting them.
There is also a second and third sort made; but these are in general so full of refuse, especially the last, as to render them of little or no consequence to soap-makers.
Having mentioned a few of the principal, and certainly the best ashes used in the manufacturing of hard soap, we shall turn for a little our attention to the mode used for detecting sand therein.
