162 



Shell Lime-Kiln. — Stucco Whitewash. 



Vol. VI. 



For the Farmers' Cabinet. 



SheU Lime-Kiln. 



Mr. Editor, — A stranger to you, but one 

 to whom you are not a stranger, addresses 

 you for the purpose of asking information 

 with regard to a kiln for burning oyster shells 

 for manure, I own a small farm near this 

 city, and am anxious to improve it perma- 

 nently, which I do not think can be done 

 without calcareous matter. I am highly 

 pleased with your description of a kiln for 

 burning stone-lime, at page 46, vol. 4, Farm- 

 ers' Cabinet, and wish to know whether the 

 same model is the best for burning oyster 

 shells, and whether it is absolutely necessary 

 that it should be egg-shaped — the only objec- 

 tion I have to the shape is, that we cannot 

 get suitable stone on the land, and where 

 brick is used, it will require some iron-work 

 to bind and support the kiln made in that 

 shape, which will make it more expensive. 

 Now, sir, without going farther around Ro- 

 bin Hood's barn, I have never seen a lime- 

 kiln, and I do not believe there is one in this 

 state. Will you take the trouble to describe 

 such an one as you think will suit the par- 

 ticular case — the smallest that would burn 

 well would suit best, as it would be cheaper 

 and more convenient. Farther, will you also 

 state what you think would be its probable 

 cost, if brick would answer, estimating the 

 bricks at $6 per 1000, and labour at ^\ per 

 day. Finally, you can imagine what a young 

 and inexperienced farmer wishes to know, 

 even better than he can describe, especially 

 when he feels a diffidence in thus troubling 

 you. I am satisfied that any instruction you 

 may give, or advice you may ofl'er on this 

 subject in your next number, would be highly 

 prized by very many of your subscribers, es- 

 pecially those living within reach of shells. 

 Wishing you every success with your valua- 

 ble work, (which I would not be without for 

 five times its cost) I remain, your's very 

 truly, A. B. Shelton. 



Eichmond, Va., 22 Nov., 1841. 



P. S. Having already purchased and haul- 

 ed between 1 and 2000 bushels of shells, an 

 answer in your next No. would be gratefully 

 remembered. Please also state, whether if 

 a pit is dug on the side of a hill, the brick or 

 stone must be laid with lime-mortar or other- 

 wise. 



We do not hesitate to recommend the ep^-shape, for 

 the purpose of calcining sheila or any otlier substance 

 for lime, by perpetual or running kilns. The dimen- 

 sions need not be more than .5 feet diameter in the 

 largest part, or even smaller than that ; the propor- 

 tions, however, must be observed, so that the tcip shall 

 be smaller — say as five to seven. The principle being 

 correct, it will be found to work well under all clrcum- 

 etauces. The drawing-in of the top causes a reverbe- 



ration of the fire, and prevents the heat from flying 

 off too rapidly, saving thereby a great cost of fuel ; a 

 temporary cone on the top of the kiln might be added 

 in stormy weather, wliich will break the force of the 

 wind and secure a good draught of air f»om the bottom. 

 The kiln should be built in a bank or hill-side, the 

 hole excavated being exactly eighteen inches in diame- 

 ter larger than the brick-work ; thus it will be perfectly 

 formed, by merely laying in the bricks lengthwise, the 

 proper range being given very exactly by the excava- 

 tion, wliich, it need not be added, must be very care- 

 fully performed. In this case, the bricks will require 

 no mortar in laying, a portion of clay-puddle being 

 poured in at the back of each course, to fill up inter- 

 stices and inequalities, as also to raise the ends of 

 the next course of bricks when the arrangement from 

 a larger to a smaller circle commences. Clay stands 

 the fire better than limemortar, but the bricks lie 

 much firmer without either the one or the other. The 

 front of the kiln may require another course of four 

 inches brick-work outside, but no iron-work will be 

 necessary for its support. The kiln should be charged 

 and burnt so soon as finished and before the work has 

 hardened; it will then expand without cracking, the 

 bricks moving easily in their beds and offering no re- 

 sistance — an important consideration, and applicable 

 to all fire-work, particularly in the setting of large 

 boilers, &c. When our correspondent has determined 

 on the site for his kiln, and the size which he shall 

 choose, any bricklayer will be able to count the cost lo 

 a fraction. — Ed. 



A Brilliant Stucco Whitewash. 



Take clean lumps of well-burnt lime, (say 

 five or six quarts,) slack the same with hot 

 water in a tub, (covered to keep in the steam,) 

 pass it in the fluid form through a fine sieve; 

 add one-fourth of a pound of whiting or burnt 

 alum, pulverized ; one pound of good sugar; 

 three pints of rice flour, made into a thin and 

 well-boiled paste, and one pound of clean 

 glue, dissolved by first soaking it well, and 

 then putting it into a small kettle, which 

 should again be put into a larger one filled 

 with water, and placed over a slow fire. Add 

 five gallons of hot water to the whole mixture. 



This wash is applied with a painter's brush, 

 where particular neatness is required. It 

 must be put on while warm, if upon the out- 

 side of the building — if within doors, cold. 

 It will retain its brilliancy for many years. 

 About one pint of this mixture will cover a 

 square yard upon the outside of a house, if 

 properly applied. If a larger quantity than 

 five gallons is wanted, the same proportions 

 must be observed in preparing. Colouring 

 matter may be added to give it any required 

 shade. — Genesee Farmer. 



Contents in acres of Enixland, Scotland 

 and Wo/p.s.— Rngland,":31,929,340. Scotland, 

 18,943,720. Wales, 4,320,000. Total, Great 

 Britain, 55,193,060. 



