CHAP, iv S Y L V A 115 



in the places where you intend it ; and if in preparing 

 the hearth, at first, there did not rise sufficient turf 

 and rubbish for this work, supply it from some con- 

 venient place near to your heap : There be who cover 

 this again with a sandy, or finer mould, which if it 

 close well, need not be above an inch or two thick : 

 This done, provide a screene; by making light hurdles 

 with slit rods, and straw of a competent thickness, to 

 keep off the wind, and broad, and high enough to 

 defend an opposite side to the very top of your pit, 

 being eight or nine foot ; and so as to be easily re- 

 moved, as need shall require, for the luing of your pit. 

 When now all is in this posture, and the wood 

 well rang'd, and clos'd, as has been directed, set fire 

 to your heap : But first you must provide you of a 

 ladder to ascend the top of your pit: This they usually 

 make of a curved tiller fit to apply to the convex 

 shape of the heap, and cut it full of notches for the 

 more commodious setting the colliers feet, whiles they 

 govern the fire above ; when now they pull up, and 

 take away the stake which was erected at the center, 

 to guide the building of the pile and cavity of the 

 tunnel. This done, put in a quantity of charcoals 

 (about a peck) and let them fall to the bottom of the 

 hearth; upon them cast in coals that are fully kindled; 

 and when those which were first put in are beginning 

 to sink, throw in more fuel; and so, from time to 

 time, till the coals have universally taken fire up to 

 the top : Then cut an ample and reasonable thick 

 turf, and clap it over the hole, or mouth of the tun- 

 nel, stopping it as close as may be with some of the 

 former dust and rubbish : Lastly, with the handles of 

 your rakers, or the like, you must make vent-holes, 

 or registers (as our chymists would name them) 



