<P> Except in the most casual dining establishments, they are usually provided as a matched set, sometimes distinguishable only by the number of holes on the top of the shaker . Designs range from small, plain glass screw cap containers (invented by John Landis Mason, inventor of the Mason jar) to more ornate works of art . Sometimes the design refers to some pair of related objects--such as a replica of a West Highland White Terrier containing salt and a Scottish Terrier containing pepper . Designs may also relate to specific occasions or holidays . As a result of this diversity of design, collecting salt and pepper shakers is a hobby . Design of salt and pepper shakers has also been used to transmit cultural perspectives about race and other cultural values . </P> <P> There are two Museums of Salt and Pepper Shakers dedicated to showing the variety and history of salt and pepper shakers through the ages . </P> <P> The number of holes varies by culture, health and taste . In the United States where excessive salt is considered unhealthy, salt is stored in the shaker with the fewest holes, but in parts of Europe where pepper was historically a rare spice, this is reversed . </P> <P> As an alternative to salt and pepper shakers, pepper may be distributed at the table by use of a pepper grinder, while salt may be distributed from a salt cellar or a salt mill . </P>

How to tell a salt shaker from a pepper shaker
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