Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-01-23

MANUFACTURE OF WHITE LEAD.-The
n. Y. Mirror gives very interesting &C
count Of the white lead factories Of Brook
lyn. There are three establishments in
that city which use 100000 pounds of
lead annually, or about a sixth of all the
lead mined in our country. The annual ex
pense for labor alone Is $3.50 600; whole
expenses for material and labor, 81 $50 !;
amount Of product, 5000 tons, worth 8
100000
The lead manufactured in Brooklyn is.
in point Of body, color, finish and tenaci-
ty, equal to any made IN this country, or
in Europe
The principle material used in the man
ufacture of white lead, are metallic lead
and acetic acid and process of from
four to six months is required for manu-
featuring the article each establishment
having an amount of stock under way, Of
from 325 600 to 100000 One estab-
lishment in Brooklyn has, at the present
time 5000 600 lbs Of metallic lead III their
corroding beds
The peculiar process necessary to its
manufacture are thus Interestingly explain
, ed As one reads it. he will not wonder
that Paint always commands All apparent
ly high price-ita manufacture requires so
much time and care
White Lead is made by placing small
thin plates Of lead, cast in the form Of a
buckle or gridiroa, In earthen pots at the
bottom of which Is a quantity Of vinegar.
but which does not touch the lead. Large
numbers Of these pots are placed in beds
Of tan where the lead is exposed to the
action of the vapor5 arising from the de-
composition of the veinegar and tan. for
three months. This corrodes the metal
and converts it into white brittle sub
stance. called carbonate of lead, which
peels off when the pots are taken out
/ These plates have to undergo the same
/ process until entirely corroded, unless used
for some other purpose From the zorro
ding beds, it is taken to other parts Of the
works, where the corrodel parts are en-
tirely separated from the metallic sub
stance then ground, washed, dried mix
ed and put up in the beautiful state we
/ are accustomed to see it when IN the hands
of the artisan or mechanic.
Llthdrge is made by melting lead in an
open furnace Red Lead Is formed from
/ litharge; it being heated in such a manner
/ that current Of air continually passes
/ owe it.
Sugar of Lead, an article used extern
sively for medicinal purposes, and by cal
/ leo printers,-is produced by boiling 18th
/ arge in vinegar.
HeaHh Of the Operatives The Mirror
remarks on this interesting question. 1t
seems that special care may guard against
its dangers.
/ All Of the above products Of lead are
/ deadly poisons, if introduced into the sys-
/ TEN, even in the smallest quantities, The
/ labor in these works has been generally
considered as very unhealthy but we do
/ not find this to be true so far as regards
the Brooklyn establishments There are
men in these works who have been en-
ployed there for long period Of years ;
and there Is always an abundance of men
! seeking employment in these establish
ments. It Is necessary, however, that
/ those engaged in such labor should pay
strict regard to cleanliness, temperance
and regularity in their habits.
/ Each of the white lead companies in
/ Brooklyn employs an experienced physi-
I clan. who attends upon all persons in their
employ, who may require medical advice.
4 The medical bill Of the Union company,
with an average Of one hundred operatives.
did not exceed, the past year, $50. This
I business requires not only large amount
of available capital but a thorough knowl-
edge Of the arts