lias to be repeatedly slackened with water, in order to enable the workmen to 

 remove the scoriae from the metal-bath. 



2. It causes a considerable loss of metal through volatilisation, as the metals, 

 when once reduced to gaseous state have no opportunity for condensation in the 

 upper parts of the kiln. 



3. The attendance, both to the bellows and to the smelting itself, requires a 

 vast amount of labor, at the same time as it admits of only a limited production. 



4. The attendance on the furnace is extremely trying on account of the in- 

 tense heat. 



On the other hand it cannot be denied, that the furnace is extremely simple 

 in its construction, is easily and quickly built and requires only a small outlay. 



The fuel used for the calcinations is exclusively wood, for smelting charcoal. 

 As the disafforestation in the neighborhood of the mines has generally been 

 ruthlessly pursued, the fuel has now to be transported from afar, and is conse- 

 quently dear (10 quamme cost yen 0.15 — 0:36= about yen 7.05 — 9.72 per Eng- 

 lish ton). The dealers often deliver the coals in wet condition, to make them 

 weigh the more. 



IMPROVEMENTS. 



From the above observations it is sufficiently apparent, what improvements 

 ought to be introduced into metallurgic technics. 



1. Selection of fitting process for the treatment of the various ores. 



2. Use of proper furnaces for roasting and smelting. 



Even if the kilns hitherto used are fit for the roasting of ores in lumps, their 

 use for slicks must always be very disadvantageous, as they only in an insuffi- 

 cient degree offer opportunity for oxidation. In larger smelting works it would 

 of course also become a matter of consideration, whether the roasting gases 

 might not be utilized for the manufacture of sulphuric aciil. 



At blast-furnaces machinery, which in many oases could be driven by water, 

 would of course have to be substituted for hand-bellows. A comparison between 

 the cost of the present supply of blast and that of a supply, procured by good 

 machinery, would give a result similar to that subtained in the above quoted 

 instance of drainage. 



It would carry me too far here to enumerate what furnaces are required for 

 the several smelting processes; suffice it to say, that iu almost every instance the 

 present furnaces must be replaced by others which allow a continuous smelting. 

 The present furnaces may at most do for trial-smeftings and for the reduction 

 of smaller quantities. 



