384 
On Brick-malcing. 
[Dce. 
2 to 3. But the square seems preferable, both in point of solidity, and from its 
exposing a smaller exterior surface. 
The construction of the kiln is as follows : 40 bricks are placed on their edges, 
end to end, along the short side of the parallelogram, and dressed in a line by 
means of a string : 236 lines of bricks, ranged in a similar position, serve to cover 
the whole area of the kiln. The second layer is likewise disposed edgewise, but trans- 
versely to the former, and at such distance apart, that two bricks shall stand upon 
the length of one of the first row.— With this layer commences the construction of 
the flues, which are parallel channels of the whole length of the kiln, one brick 
wide, two high, and four bricks asunder: the walls between the flues are thus 
composed of 8 bricks on their sides, standing on the 4 bricks below, and runningthe 
whole length of the kiln, for the first tier ; the same for the second and third tiers, 
only the bricks are alternately ranged lengthwise and crosswise. The interstices 
of these 3 tiers are then filled with middling sized coal ; to the fourth tier, of which 
the bricks are placed in close order, the flues preserve the same dimensions ; and at 
this period, they are filled with straw, faggots, and logs of wood, with coal on the 
top, over which is spread a coat of sifted small coal. The fifth tier of bricks projects 
half way on either side over the flues ; this space also is tilled up w ith coal. The 
sixth layer covers the flues completely, having only 2 or 3 chimney holes of one 
brick square in the whole length of each flue. It is through these that lighted 
conbustibles are introduced, to set fire to the faggots and straw below. Having 
completed this row, small coal is thrown over the whole surface, excepting directly 
above the flues. A seventh layer is then laid in a similar manner, preserving only 
the chimney holes open. 
The foundation of the kiln being thus completed, a large wood fire is made in 
the centre, and covered with coarse coal: when this is thoroughly kindled, 
the kilnman sets fire to the extremities of the flues, on the side not exposed 
to the wind ; he then does the same at the other end of tbe kiln : during this time, 
firemen are employed strowing red hot coal down the chimneys, while other work- 
men are busy raising screens of straw to keep off the wind. After 18 or 20 hours, 
when the fuel is in full ignition, the chimneys are carefully closed with bricks as 
well as the extremities of the flues. 
The exterior is also plastered with straw and mud, to shut out the air effectually. 
Before building the eighth tier, the kilnman spreads small coal, or “ breeze,” over 
such parts of the seventh tier as cover the flues ; he then proceeds to lay all round 
the kiln, and a little drawn back from the exterior, a line of bricks, called bon - 
tiches, or having the butt end pointed outwards ; behind this row, three more are 
placed in tbe same direction, and tke middle space is filled with bricks crossing 
those of the layer beneath. The distance to he kept between the bricks is such, that 
7 bricks crossed edgeways, should occuby the space of 2 bricks -length. One layer 
should contain about 7 or 8,000, but the layer immediately under the coal, may be 
packed a little closer than that above it. 
In tbe ninth course, the exterior bricks must be as before, en houtiches , 4 rows 
in depth completely round the parallelogram, and the bricks within merely crossed 
with the layer beneath. Over this again is spread a coat of small coal. 
1 he tenth course presents, externally, a line of bricks' on edge, broad face out- 
wards, so as to allow of a decrease in the pyramid of a quarter brick : within 
follow 4 rows of houtiches, and cross bricks inside as before. The eleventh has 
the same arrangement as the 9th, and so on alternately to the top ; after the 9th 
course, layers of coal are only given to every other tier. 
The quantity of coal used, varies naturally with the quality of the clay : how- 
ever, it should never exceed a thickness of one inch, and should be regulated a c- 
cording to the heat in different parts of the kiln, diminishing also with the height. 
If the fire rises too rapidly, the bricks above are stacked closer, and if it is too 
s ack, larger interstices are left. If the beat becomes too strong throughout, 
sand is spread over the surface. 
.Having reached the ninth course, the whole exterior surface is plastered over 
with well mixed clay, so as to form a firm crust. 
j .* le loading of the kiln is resumed always at break of day. Should the tire, 
ha * e n, f a t> have reached, and much heated the upper stratum, the bricklayer 
narfiVm. ? * ace , ® not ^® r l a y er > so as to confine the heat ; and he must attend 
thprp m! F h t0 r 8 P°’ nt > by providing so many tiers the night before, that 
A n ° fear of . to ° ra P id an ^“ition. 
to winHwawi” a d v ances in elevation, the screen of mat or straw must also be raised 
and plastered o ve r°vvi tl^cla** a tk* n Stratum of coal dust is strewed, 
