SALTPETER

or Niter, a nitrate of pota ium. It is the principal ingredient in gunpowder and has various other industrial as well as medicinal uses. It is valuable in meat preserving—the use of small quantities in the curing of hams, bacon, (corned) beef, and sausages imparting or retaining an attractive red color. The principal importations are from Chile and India. It is also made artificially by treatment of the nitrates resulting from the mixture of animal refuse, ete., with quicklime.