near Penryn, and on the Mode of working it. 325 



building contractors would pay some attention to the cleaving 

 of granite. 



Various points could be arranged in the courses of stone 

 for building, particularly in heavy work, which would prevent 

 the present waste of stone and labour. Under the present sy- 

 stem, of ordering blocks, it often happens a fine rock is split 

 up into small blocks ; then comes an order for a large block 

 to be delivered instantly for the same building, when small 

 rocks are obliged to be removed and wasted to obtain another 

 fine rock. A little consideration and arrangement would en- 

 able the cleaver to split up his large and small rocks to greater 

 advantage. The waste of granite, from the quantity in sight, 

 may be immaterial, but the waste of labour has often occa- 

 sioned a heavy loss to the cleaver. To convert rocks to the 

 greatest advantage, a considerable number of blocks, with as 

 much variation in their sizes as is suitable to building, should be 

 ordered of each cleaver; and if possible, an allowance should 

 be granted of 3 or 4> inches in the position of the upright joints, 

 so that an error of cleaving a block 1 inch too short might be 

 rectified by procuring the next 1 inch larger. 



The beating off waste, that is, reducing the block with a 

 pick of 20 pounds weight to the exact size required, is the 

 most expensive part of the work ; and the cleaver often at- 

 tempts to cleave too nice, and the block is wasted. Should 

 a good arrangement ever take place in ordering granite, a 

 skill would soon be exerted in the conversion of masses of 

 granite similar to that of a shipbuilder in the conversion of 

 timber. 



Blocks under 2 tons are carried on the axletree of a pair 

 of wheels, which are loaded in a manner exactly similar to 

 that proposed by Sir H. Stewart for the removal of large 

 trees. Blocks of a larger size require four wheels, and a greater 

 price, to meet the increased difficulty of loading and carriage. 

 This price is regulated by the cubic foot of finished stone, and 

 the contractor is obliged to deliver at Penryn a block 1 inch 

 larger each way as an allowance for fine cutting; this extra 

 inch is not paid for, and the shipowner complains that granite 

 is the heaviest cargo, since the ton or 14 cubic feet of granite 

 seldom weighs less than 22 cwt. 



These statements have been made with a hope of attract- 

 ing attention and inquiry to tracts which seem to have some 

 interest both in a geological and ceconomical point of view. 



Attached is a map and description by R. W. Fox, Esq. of 

 the hard and compact granite. 



Enys, Dec. 1832. John S. Enys. 



