[112] 



On the method of burning Mud or Clay, By J, Warner, 



Wilmington, February \sty 1820, 



Dear Sir, 



In compliance with your request, I communicate, 

 for the information of your friend, the following remarks 

 in relation to the experiments made by me in clay or mud 

 burning. 



I commenced mud-burning in 1815. During that 

 year I burned about one hundred and seventy cart loads, 

 and about one hundred bushels of oyster shells, in a sin- 

 gle heap. The mud was principally blue mud, obtained 

 from the clearing of drains or ditches, being thrown out 

 in the spring upon the edge of the drain, where it re- 

 mained until harvest, when it had become generally dry 

 throughout. I began the fire or kiln with about one- 

 third of an oak rail, which being completely on fire, I 

 applied to it the lightest and dryest mud or tussocks that 

 I could procure. The fire should be kept well covered, 

 and if it burn rapidly, and the flame or smoke penetrate 

 through any aperture, it should be covered with fine 

 earth, which confines the heat and causes the mud to 

 burn inwardly. Around and adjoining the first heap, 

 when you are satisfied that it is completely on fire, you 

 should commence three or four other fires, similar to the 

 first, With which they will very soon become connected; 

 and thus you may proceed with small fires around the 

 original heap and on the surface of the ground, until you 

 have disposed of all the mud you intend to burn. This 

 method may be recommended for two reasons : first, it 



