There's a catalog of Hokie merchandise we get a few times a year, I think from the bookstore that has pieces that can be used to decorate gardens, as door stops, and as desk items. But they're about $100+ depending on size and engraving.
Saltpeter is the common name used for several different chemical compounds, specifically for potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate. Potassium nitrate is commonly used in gunpowder, and sodium nitrate is found in fertilizers and explosives.
Photo by Phil Romans. The magic elixirs of salt and brine are certainly nothing new, they have been used on our roadways for awhile now. Salt is of course used during the winter in certain areas to clear off roads and provide more traction for drivers. Brine on the other hand is derived from gas and oil wells, and is often used to cut down on dust particulates by spreading on gravel/dirt roads.