ALPINE METHOD. 



701J 



Fig. 313. 



kilns. Ordinary material, if found close at hand, is used for the 



first covering ; usually, however, only a single covering of mixed 



olay and humus is used, which must be very carefully spread over 



the wood. Special kinds of props 



are also used to support the 



sides of the kiln, which are at 



gradients of 60° or 70°. These 



props are either formed as in 



fig. 313 of planks (in) placed 



edgeways round the kiln, having 



niches cut into them at half 



their length, on which horizontal 



planks (») rest to support the 



covering (dd). 



Or stout T-shaped props are 

 used as in fig. 314. The covering is first plastered on to the 

 base of the kiln, then the lower props are applied and the 

 plastering continued till the upper props are required ; the 



Fir. 311 



dome is then completely plastered, at first only thinly so as to 

 allow the gases to escape. 



The kiln is kindled by Hghtly filling the still open flue with 

 short thin pieces of split wood, on which comes a layer of glowing 

 charcoal. As soon as the kindling material has thoroughly 

 caught fire, fresh charcoal is from time to time heaped on. 

 The split wood which for a time supports the charcoal burns 

 completely, and the glowing charcoal falls to the bottom of the 

 flue. The flue is then filled with charcoal, which is pressed down. 



