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itself in its primary aspects namely, in reference to its 

 importance to nature's great economy, and in reference to its 

 timber resources, as viewed in the abstract I now proceed 

 to enter on a new field of consideration, which, though second- 

 ary in importance, is well deserving of our calm attention, 

 and this all the more since this field of industrial enterprise 

 remained yet almost bare or unharvested, whereas any utilisa- 

 tion of this new ground must have to inquiring minds more 

 than ordinary charm. 



I therefore now proceed to explain some of the technologic 

 features of woodlands. 



A leading industry in all forests is the production of char- 

 coal. It may be made in mounds, caverns or ovens. The 

 method most frequently adopted is that in mounds or meilers, 

 and to this I may devote a few explanatory words, as not 

 every one in this hall may be conversant with the process ; 

 for, simple as the process does appear, it is, after all, not per- 

 formable without some skill, if coal of superior quality is to 

 be the result. The wood is closely packed around a central 

 post in regular form, the pieces either all horizontally, or 

 oftener the lower vertically. Only such wood should be used 

 as is unfit for timber ; it must, however, be of one kind only, 

 or of such various sorts as require the same degree of heat 

 for being converted into a perfect coal. It must be sound and 

 almost air-dry. A loamy sandsoil forms the best base for a 

 mound ; and this soil requires to be broken up, levelled and 

 pressed, also dried by branchlets being burnt on the ground. 

 The form of the mound or meiler is usually hemispherical, 

 and support is given to this mound in the manner indicated 

 in the sketch here presented, the outer support consisting of 

 short logs of wood. 



The inner part of the cover is formed of sods of grass, 

 branchlets, rushes and similar substances; over this is placed 

 the outer portion of the cover, consisting of moist forest soil, 

 particularly fresh humus. The united covering must permit 

 the vapours of the glowing meiler to escape. Shelter against 

 wind is absolutely requisite; the operation of burning coal 

 can therefore only be well performed in still air. The ignition 

 commences from an opening left purposely either at the base, 

 or less frequently at the summit of the structure, but either 

 opening is closed again during the burning process. Caution 

 is needed to prevent the expansive vapours and gases causing 

 explosions during the glowing of the wood. To promote 

 combustion on places where it may have been suppressed, 



