The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1854-05-03
From the Cumberland (Afdl Alleganian
Burning Brick with Coal.
CUMBERLAND. April q. 1854.


Wm. Weber, Esq.
DEAR Sir: Having received several
communications from Baltimore and else
where, making inquiry as to the mode. man .
ner, and success Of burning Brick with Bit.
imous, or Cumberland Coal, and not having
leisure to answer each Individual, and the
many who might be induced hereafter to
make inquiry, have thought il advisable
to address this to you for publication, "pro,
bono publico."
Myself and brothers, have the credit OF
being the first to succeed in using coal
to burn Brick. We have no patent, we
want none. If our experience is worth any.
thing to the world, it is welcome to it, We
will enjoy as reward, the CONSEQUENCES of
having performed moiety of good to our
fellow men.
For the last nine years we. have used
coal in burning all the brick we have made
We use ne wood except to start the fires
and occasionally stick thrown into a slow
arch. In burning kiln Of eight arches, we
generally consume fom two or four cords.
Our easements. being very ordinary-such
as are generally put up in the country pla.
ces-and our bricks never being very dry
when put in the kiln, 1--WE never shed our
brick; it of consequence takes more fuel to
burn. than when regular yard is establish
ed, with well-6uilt easement. Under these
disadvantages, and with clay that is very
hard to burn, it acquires but seven bush
sIs to the thousand, or one ton OF coal to four
thousand brick. This is the extreme cost.
1t often turns out that we burn FIVE thou
sand with one ton of 25 bushels. A kiln
of 8 arches can be atte ded by one hand
for the first two days and nghts-after
which, and until completed. it requires two
men. The difference in cost of fuel with
US, is more than one half. In labor it is a
saving Of at least two thirds.
The easements are constructed in the or
dinary way. except with fue, four brick
in length, built in the easement, in front of
each arch, in which the fire is placed. In
these flues we sometimes have CRATES; but
often burn without them. The fire should
be kept as close to the mouth Of the arch as
possible, as it will choke the fue if it is
thrown back. 1t cannot burn inside, for
want of air.
In setting the brick in the kiln no change
is made from the usual mode, except in the
benches. We set them all one way, with
out crossing the courses---set them tight
the brick benches--set them nine and ten
brick high before staring the projecting
courses oi comb Tile inside course Of the
comb of each outside arch, should be set
tight, to prevent the Gre stealing into the
second arch This Should be carefully at
tended 10, especially where the easements
are thin.
Where the kills are over "a bricks wide,
have found great advantage in carrying a
fuc through the centre of the kiln-starting
it in the centre Of each arch, by leaving one
brick out of the comb carrying it across
the taps of the benches to the centre of each
then to the tops--thus from one end of the
kiln 10 the other, there is a chimney hack
hue. After the water smoke has passed,
off, this fue can be easily closed at the tops
By laying brick over it, and may be open
ed again at pleasure, at different points to
draw the heat, DC. 1t produces regularity,
both in drying and heating tie kiln.
Coal kins should be well p opped, as the
head always nlx AMI settle before the mid
die, and conse luently produce more o. less
pressure, unless the kiln be drawn in at the
tops, wheh set. In haiht Of 36 brick,
generally draw them in about inches.
| will be in Baltimore about the 25.h Of
this month, and during the summer. I'll
can contribute in any degree, to promote the
interests of the trade in Baltimore, will
do 80 with pleasure. l can be seen at the
States Live Stock Scales.
Respectfully Yours,
d. BLOCHER.