BRICKS AND BRICKMAKING 



13 



should be well covered with grass or ashes before sunset, and exposed 

 again after sunrise. 



When the bricks are dry through and through, they are ready for 

 burning. Their dryness may be tested by breaking one occasionally, and 

 noting by the colour if it is dry right to the heart. The bricks will 

 probably be fit for burning about ten days after having been piled in the 

 double rows shown in Fig. 4. 



Burning. — The method of burning most suitable to the farmer, who 



Fig. 5. 



desires to produce only a relatively small number of bricks for his own 

 use, would be to build the bricks into a clamp or stack. A piece of 

 ground having a hard and solid surface, capable of bearing the weight of 

 the clamp without sinking, is selected and levelled. If old burnt bricks 

 are available a layer, or " course," of these may be laid, the bricks being 

 placed close together on their faces, to form a foundation for the clamp (see 

 Fig. 5). If burnt bricks are not available this foundation layer may be 

 dispensed with. If there be any probability of rain the foundation of 

 the clamp should be guarded on its upper side by a good open drain. 



