CHAPTER II. 



METHODS OF WORKING CLAY 

 DEPOSITS. 



CONTENTS. 



Prospecting for clays. 



Outcrops. 



Springs. 



Ponds. 



Vegetation. 

 Exploitation of clay deposits. 

 Adaptability of clay for working. 

 Methods of mining. 



Underground workings. 



Surface working. 



Haulage. 



Shale mining. 

 Preparation of clay for market. 



Washing. 



Air separation. 



PROSPECTING FOR CLAYS. 



A knowledge of the facts given in the preceding chapter will, 

 if borne in mind, be of much aid to the clay worker in prospecting 

 for clays, but several additional points may be mentioned, by 

 which beds of clay may be located. 



Outcrops. — The presence of a clay bed is usually detected by 

 means of an outcrop. These exposures are commonly to be found 

 on inclined surfaces, such as hill slopes, or where natural or 

 artificial cuts have been made. The washing out of gullies by 

 heavy rains, the cutting of a stream valley, railroad cuts and 

 wagon-road cuts, all form good places in which to look for out- 

 cropping clay beds. The newer the cut, the better the exposure, 



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