METALLURGICAL METHODS AT BROKEN HILL. 287 
getting into the crucible, so allowing the lead of the well to chill 
from want of fresh supplies of heated lead, most probably causing 
a “shut down” of the furnace. 
As soon as the ashes are all out, some deal, or any easily ignited 
wood, is thrown on the face of the molten lead, which last should 
be hot enough to ignite the chips in a few moments. The 
corners of the furnace are well supplied also to make sure of a 
good fire all over the crucible. The heavier wood is then thrown 
in, and the mason then puts back the separator, breast and slag 
spout, having all necessary bricks cut the exact size required 
beforehand, so that the least possible time may be consumed from 
this time on until the blast is put on the furnace. Immediately 
the mason has secured the separator and its parts in place, more 
wood is dropped into the furnace from the top floor, through the 
feed opening, until the tuyeres are just covered with wood. If 
the flames have not obtained a good hold of the wood you must 
wait a little. As soon as you are satisfied that the fire has a good 
enough hold of the wood, some 1,600 pounds of coke is emptied 
into the furnace out of bags, which have all been weighed up in 
readiness. Then the following charges are shovelled into the 
furnace as rapidly as the eight or nine men on the furnace can do 
it. I might say that the first 50 of the charges given below are 
weighed up and stacked on the floor around the feed-opening of 
the furnace, each charge being divided off from the next with a 
piece of wood. This weighing-up is done to facilitate the filling-up 
of the furnace when every moment is precious. 
BLOWING-IN CHARGES. 
25 charges of 
Slag oe a dirs soe, 600. Lb: ) 
Manganic ironstone... bao MOG gel oe SOR) LD, 
Limestone : ort ae TN zs 
Coke... ae Se eae, heel cas 
25 charges of 
Slag bes i 3: woo DOO-Thi, ) 
Carb. lead ore ... ae cian in Ong L995 ib 
Limestone oi oe dest TO syle 
Manganic iron ... ses haa yon CMD eh til 
Woke: \ ke. =e os: get: hon pe 
50 charges of 
Lead ore (carbonate) ... Jae) da Dulaee) 
Silicious iron... ane ew ULOOe,, eal 
Manganic iron ... te i i paheI eee De es 
Limestone ae oo ee 2U0R,, eek 
Slag’) Js. Se shea deo 5,1) 
Coke... ee ae seh 2. 
- Then regular charges Je see lea 1,000 I). 
