Holo to establish a Tile -Yard. 
467 
2. Machine for Making the Tiles. 
The various machines before the public render it somewhat 
difficult to detail their several advantages. It must be evident, 
however, that the preference should be given to that one which 
unites, in the greatest degree, simplicity of construction with eco- 
nomy of labour. These two points are essentially necessary to 
constitute a good machine — the former in no less a degree than 
the latter. When the machinery is complicated, it is constantly 
subject to derangement, which causes delay, and increases the 
expense of production. 
3. Sheds for Dnjinf/ the Tiles. 
Three descriptions of sheds are shown in the accompanying 
draw ings. I consider the t sheds, as shown in Nos. 1 and 2, to be 
the best for all purposes, and in all districts. They are by far the 
most economical, and tiles are better and quicker dried under 
them than in wider sheds. They consist of a single line of posts 
with side pieces to carry the roof. They may be covered either 
with tiles, slate, or thatch ; but I have found the patent felt manu- 
factured by M'Neil and Co. the most efficient for this purpose, 
from its cheapness, durability, and at the same time requiring a 
much lighter roof to the sheds than any other covering. 
In plan No. 1, I have shown a much larger shed r, and a shed 
for the machine w, which in very extensive establishments is neces- 
sary as well as smaller ones, so that no time may be lost in wet 
weather; the tiles, as soon as made, being wheeled into the large 
shed without going into the open air. The centre rows of tiles 
in these sheds do not dry so quickly as in smaller sheds, as there 
is no free current of air, and consequently, were they generally 
adopted in a yard, a much larger area of shed-room would be re- 
quired. I am aware there are some few descriptions of clays used 
for tile-making, which, when made into tiles, would crack if 
exposed in narrow sheds to a quick draught. In such cases the 
large sheds must be adopted with shutters, or canvas rolls at the 
sides to protect the outside rows of tiles, or the waste from spoiled 
tiles would be about 25 per cent. 
In drawing No. 3 the sheds are intended for the most econo- 
mical system, and for smaller estates or tenant farmers, who only 
require from 50,000 to 100,000 tiles per annum for their own use, 
and who would find it much cheaper to make tiles at home than 
to cart them any distance, and would at the same time save the 
maker's profit. These sheds are found very useful in large works 
for brick hakes, or when at any time an additional quantity of tiles 
may be required, the cost being little more than the straw of 
