374 Method employed in Spain 



workman takes three or four celemins of earth *, which ar6 

 fpread out equally in the bafon, and water is poured over it ; 

 he then throws in three or four celemins more of earth, 

 which are watered as before ; and this operation is repeated 

 until the tub be fufficiently full. In pouring on the laft 

 water, care is taken not to add more than may be neceffary 

 to cover the whole mafs. The earth is fuffered to remain in 

 this ftate for twelve hours ; after which it is worked and 

 kneaded with the hands, in the tub, until it is reduced to 

 the confidence of a tough pafte. The earth is then de- 

 pofited on a fmooth platform covered with brick, kept ex- 

 ceedingly clean, and over which is ftrewed a little fifted 

 afhes. It is formed into a cake about fix inches in thicknefs, 

 which is fmoothed on the furface as well as at the fides. It is 

 left in that ftate until it begins to crack ; after which it is 

 freed from the afhes adhering to it, and removed to another 

 tiled place made exceedingly clean. 



2d Preparation. To this earth the workman adds feven 

 pounds of fea fait, if he wifhes to make jarras, and only the 

 half if it is deftined for the fabrication of boiifas or cantaros. 

 This difference arifes from the greater or lefs capacity in- 

 tended to be given to the vafes. The larger the vafe is, its 

 fides mull be fo much thicker, in order that it may have the 

 neceflary degree of ftrength; but the earth, at the fame 

 time, muft be more porous, otherwife the water would not 

 filter through with eafe ; and, for this reafon, the workman 

 adds a greater quantity of fait when he wifhes to make 

 jarras, which are much larger than the bohjas and cantaros^ 

 The earth is kneaded with the feet, adding the fait gradually; 

 and this labour is repeated, at leaft three times, without the 

 neceffity of adding more water, as the moifture retained by 

 the earth is fufticient. 



3d Prepraration. The earth, after being fubjefted to thefe 

 different preparations, is fit to be applied to the lath. The 



* The celemin is a ineafure of capacity, which contains about ftven 

 pounds of grain. 



