CHAPTEK XXII. 



THE MANUFACTURE OF CHAKCOAL. 



IN the preparation of charcoal two different methods are 

 usually employed one, that of piling the wood in a heap, 

 covering with turf, and setting on fire ; the other, by placing 

 the wood in an iron cylinder set in brickwork, and surrounded 

 with fire. The former method is that generally adopted, 

 and will be described first : 



A piece of ground, sheltered from the prevailing winds, 

 and in a position to which easy access with wood can be 

 obtained, is set apart for the charcoal-making. The wood 

 is carted in at any time when obtainable and when it is 

 convenient to spare horse-labour from other parts of the 

 forest work, and consists of all kinds of hardwoods in size, 

 if possible, not under 2 in. in diameter. Principally fire- 

 wood and rather rough and unsaleable timber are used for 

 this purpose. The wood is sawn into pieces 2 ft. long, and 

 these again split, if required, to about 4 in. square, and 

 when a sufficient quantity has been cut up for two pits, the 

 building of these is then proceeded with. 



Here it may be necessary to state that it is much better 

 to burn two pits at the same time, as both can be attended 

 to during the charring process as conveniently as one, and 

 do not necessitate the men sitting up at night for each 

 separately. The pits are usually made of conical shape, 

 21 ft. in diameter, and about 9 ft. in height, the mode of 

 construction being as follows : A strong stake is driven 

 firmly into the ground, and left protruding about 12 in. : 



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