362 



along its foot, A heavy log or fallen tree, placed at right angles to the 

 shore, serves to accumulate a beach, and thus often affords protection. 

 These remedies are not invariably successful ; but they are easily at- 

 tainable, involve but small expense, and will be properly estimated if 

 they tend to preserve even a small portion of the wealth of the land- 

 holder from the devouring wave. 



CLAT. 



Clay suitable for bricks and pottery, is found at numerous places in 

 the county, though the value of much of it is deteriorated by the pres- 

 ence of- lime. The manufacture of bricks is conducted at several 

 points. 



At Springwells a brickyard has been established for several years. 

 The clay used is from the blue clay deposit, and is tolerably free from 

 grit. The sand is taken from a cap or hill lying above the clay with 

 strata of gravel interposed. The bricks find a market at Detroit.. 

 About 500,000 are mauufactured annually, worth |5 00 per thousand.. 

 A superior clay for brick is found in the banks of the valley of the 

 Rouge, and several kilns are establi^.hed in the towns of Springwells and 

 Ecorce. At a yard belonging to Mr. Abial Wood, on the south, side of 

 the river, (farm No. 661,) the clay employed is of a light blue color,, 

 free from grit. It improves with the excavation. At depth of 6 feet, 

 I observed it of a 'ighter color, sometimes veined with white. About 

 300,000 bricks were manufactured this season. 



At a yard of Mr. Wood, on the opposite side, about the same number 

 have been made. This yard has been established three years. The 

 blue clay is used, and is said not to improve with the depth. The over- 

 lying yellow clay is considered inferior. A cap of sand overlies of 2 

 to 4 feet. 



Two adjoining brick yards have manufactured about the same num- 

 bei' each — an amount this season .less than usual, on account of the pre- 

 vailing sickness. 



A fine blue clay appears near the river bank at Flat Eock, from which 

 brick is made. Its quality is said to be impaired by lime. About 

 500,000 have been burned. 



At Morris', three miles above Mt. Pleasant, a brick yard is commenced 

 — clay said to be of good quality. The yard is on the summit land 

 adjoining the river, at a height of 50 feet. 



I 



