44 Remarks on the Crude Sodas of Commerce. 



there is a particular description of the process employed in 

 the manufacture of one hundred and fifteen tons, on the farm 

 of Stroud in Horris, which received the prize of the High- 

 land Society. 



This sold for five pounds ten shillings per ton. As this is 

 considered the most approved method, I will give an ab- 

 stract of it. In the Orkneys, they account the spring the 

 best season for cutting the ware, because they are then less 

 exposed to the rains. The weeds that are left bare by the 

 tide are cut with sickles, and those under water with bill 

 hooks. It is considered important to land the ware, as fast 

 as it is cut, and to carry it to a suitable situation to dry ; it 

 is thought that as soon as the weed begins to wilt, the 

 pores of the plant become relaxed, and allow the soda to ex- 

 ude, which is dissolved and lost, if the ware be left in the 

 water or exposed to the rains. There is no doubt that kelp 

 made from such ware is weaker. It is spread on clean 

 ground to dry, and, when pretty well dried, it is collected in- 

 to large cocks, protected from the rain if possible, and allow- 

 ed to heat for six or eight days, or even from fifteen to twen- 

 ty if the ware has been collected from coves with muddy bot- 

 toms. — A dry day, when there is a brisk breeze, is selected 

 for burning the ware, which is conducted in the following 

 manner. The kilns are rudely constructed of stones and 

 turf upon the firmest sward that can be found. The most 

 convenient are about two feet six inches in height, two feet 

 four inches in breadth, and from eight to eighteen feet in 

 length, according to the quantity of ware to be consumed. 

 A little dry straw is first spread over the bottom of the kiln, 

 and kindled, to which the ware is slowly added, as fast as 

 it is consumed, the combustion being accelerated by the 

 breeze. Should the weather become calm, or if the ware is 

 not sufficiently dry, the ashes cool and cake into white crusts, 

 when it becomes necessary to rake the ashes until the com- 

 bustion is perfect, before adding fresh ware. When the 

 ware is all burnt, the last process consists in working or 

 raking the ashes with iron rakes, so that the combustion of 

 every part shall be perfect. It is transformed into a thick 

 paste, which, on cooling, becomes solid, somewhat resembling 

 good indigo ; it is then broken up into masses of about two 

 hundred weight, covered with dry ware, and is ready for the 

 market. If the ware has been taken from a muddy situation, 

 it sometimes happens that the ashes remain dry, and do not 



