The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-02-24

fectly smoked out and dry the stack does not
show whether the kiln is in operation or not.
The oldest ware in the kiln No. !, is now
taken out and replaced by unburnt ware,
which, at the usual rate of working, ought to
be done once in "a hours. After that has
been done, the slide is placed between No'sl
and q door No. l, and fue No. u, are closed,
and door No. 2 and fue No. l are opened
In the meantime department. No. is sufh- |
GENTLY fred, and the fire is advanced to No. |
g. Thus the operation has advanced one CO.
partment, and in the same manner it advan. |
ces every day without interruption. Still the
kiln may be worked faster or slower accor-
ding to the desire to burn more or less ware
than at u normal rate.
Prom the foregoing it is, easily perceptible
that this very simple and plain operation has
important advantages over the working of
the different kinds of old bilns. In the first
place there is a complete exhaustion of fuel
accomplished in Hofman's kiln, inasmuch
as the heat, once developed in the kiln, is
used again and again, and only that part is
lost and has to be replaced which, for the
purpose of supplying the draft, goes through
the chimney into the air, and that part which
is lost by the radiation of the walls of the
oven and which cannot be retained. The
saving of fuel has proved to be from two
thirds to three-fourths of the amount used in
other kilns. Besides, in the old kilns, there
could never be obtained general evsnness
in burning, which was very natural, as one
part stands much further from the fire than
another part, which is almost touched by it,
consequently in the old kilns the
calculation on ware burnt too hard
and too soft was generally about
one third. In Hoffmsn's kiln the fire ia
made in short successive intervals so that the
effect Of the fire on the ware is even through
out, and even burning of the ware accom-
plished, not heretofore known in other kilns
In the above we have hardly spoken of
what is manufactured at this establishment,
and in fact it would make an article too long
If we should attempt to take the reader with
us and explain the modus operandi of the
manufacture of flint enamelled, Rockingham.
cane coiored and stone ware, drain tile, FIRE
brick, terra Gotta. chimney tops, window
caps, garden vases &c, &c
| We cannot close, however, without spea
! ing OF most beautiful article of building
material we were shown. If our judgement
is worth anything such subject, we
should say that the days of marble. freestone,
Athens stone, &C., &c., were numbered, as
this material is much more beautiful and can
! be afforded at less than hslf the cost. We
would advice any one who thinks of building
dwelling or store not to complete their or
rangements until they have seen this desira-
bic and beautiful material We hone the
government of the United States will give
this material thorough test before any more
buildings are commenced on the Island, and
If 1t is what we trust it Is, we hope for beau
ty's sake to see them all built of it. end Nc
LIE Claire stone used which will. at the long.
est last only few years.
aSWe neglected TO mention that the Argillo
Works own over 200 acres Of clay aud coal
Isnds-they nave also large boarding house
attached to the works and about dozen
dwelling for their employees.