ECONOMICAL GEOLOGT. 127 



then run on the gravel, and the whole worked up into 

 mortar. The mortar is then shoveled into the moulds, 

 worked a little with the edge of the shovel, and struck off 

 at the top. In ten or fifteen minutes, the mortar will 

 have set, so that the moulds can be taken off. In a short 

 time, the bricks are dry enough to handle, when they can 

 be piled up and allowed to dry thoroughly. The moulds 

 for the bricks are made by taking two long side pieces, as 

 wide as it is intended to have the thickness of the bricks ; 

 these are set on their edges, as far apart as is needed for 

 the length of the bricks ; and the space between the side 

 pieces is divided up by partitions set at intervals, equal to 

 the breadth of bricks desired. No bottom is needed, 

 smooth earth answering for that purpose. The sizes are 

 varied to suit circumstances ; the length in general being 

 equal to the thickness of the wall to be built ; the breadth 

 half the length, and the thickness one-third the length. 

 Other sizes, however, may be adopted, and they can be 

 made of any pattern. They are laid in mortar similar to 

 that from which the bricks are made, and the outside of 

 the building is roughcast with the same. 



These bricks should be made early in the season, so that 

 they may become thoroughly dried before the winter's 

 frost ; and in laying them up, great care is needed to get a 

 solid foundation ; for the bricks are not very strong the 

 first year or two after they are made, and any irregularity 

 in settling would cause the walls to crack. 



The bricks were selling in Bridgeton, last year, for twenty 

 dollars a thousand; each one was 12 by 9 by 6 inches, or 

 between seven and eight times as large as a common red 



