A preliminary report on clays oe elorida 
167 
The green brick are stacked in air-drying sheds where they are protected 
from' wind and direct sunlight. They are first covered with wet burlap 
and the ground underneath the racks is flooded with water to prevent 
rapid drying. Eight weeks are required to dry the ware in this manner 
without heavy losses from cracking. Careful firing with very gradual 
increases in temperature are also necessary to avoid further cracking. 
A common building-brick is made at this plant. 
Fig. 24.- —Setting a kiln. Morris and Blumer Brick 
Company, Brooksville, Hernando County. 
The plant is located on the Tampa Northern Railroad, which 
renders Tampa and St. Petersburg and surrounding points available as a 
market. 
The upper dark, sandy clay has the following physical properties: 
