AMERICAN INDUSTRIES SINCE COLUMBUS. 



169 



Fig. 15. A Forge in 1734. 



during the century following the erection of the first iron-works 

 at Lynn, in 1645, or were coeval therewith. We now purpose to 

 describe the early ways and means, and some of the more im- 

 portant improvements thereon, by which "blooms" produced by 

 either of the before-mentioned methods were shaped into bars 

 and rods of various forms and dimensions. The simplest means 

 used for this purpose consisted of a hammer wielded by the mus- 

 cular energy of a blacksmith. 



