PEACTICAL FORESTRY. 



small bits of turf and sawdust to exclude the air. They are 

 next fired by dropping a couple of shovelfuls of burning 

 wood and some pieces of dry pine or ash into the opening 

 left at the top ; the top turf is then put on, which effectually 

 shuts up the chimney, after which the process of charring 

 commences. The smoke is first seen issuing from the lower 

 half of each pit, where sawdust has not been used, and, 

 ultimately, all over. Constant attention is required day and 

 night during the period of burning, and especially so should 

 the weather be stormy, as the wind, striking constantly on 

 a particular part of the pit, causes that side to burn very 

 rapidly and fall into a hole. Should this occur, the hole 

 must at once be filled up with rough logs, which have been 

 set aside for the purpose when splitting the wood, and re- 

 covered with turf. When the weather is mild the pits burn 

 uniformly all over, require but little attention, and produce 

 the finest charcoal. 



The time required in burning varies from seven to nine 

 days, according to the state of the weather, dry and mild 

 requiring the longest period. As the charring proceeds the 

 turfs gradually disappear, and only a slight covering of burnt 

 earth remains, after which, and having become cool, the pits 

 are ready for being opened, when it is found they are reduced 

 to about half their original size. 



The charcoal is extracted by means of a rake resembling 

 a light drag, but having much finer teeth, and after becoming 

 quite cold, is stored away until required for use. 



Kiln-burning. The kiln is made of brick, one course 

 being sufficient if bands of iron be added to strengthen the 

 brickwork. It is usually conical in shape, 24 ft. in diameter, 

 with an equal height, and holds about forty cords of wood. 

 The wall of the kiln is carried up nearly straight for about 

 6 ft., when it is gradually drawn in and made a blunt cone 

 shape A plate of iron is fastened on the top in the manner 

 of a stone to an arch. Three-inch hoop-iron bands, about 

 an eighth of an inch thick, are placed around the kiln and 

 drawn together by means of screw-bolts and nuts. At the 

 base, and near the top, are double sheet-iron doors, by which 

 it is filled with wood or emptied of charcoal. The time 



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