St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-04-09
st. Johnsbury's Industries.

ST. JOHNSBURY BRICK COMPANY.
For an industry as common as that
of brick making, and one that has al
ways existed, it is astonishing how few
persons there are who are acquainted
with the details of the manufacture.
There is something more to it than the
digging of clay, the drawing of the
sand, or the forming of the mortar into
shape. Though the material is cheap,
it takes considerable care, study and
experience, to make a kiln of brick that
will turn out shapely, solid, and hand
some.
Like many other industries it is a
useful one. Bricks have been in use in
the construction of masonry for certu-
ries. The Assyrians, Babylonians, and
other ancient people used them, and
aside from their material uses they have
in modern times given rise to phrases
and sentiments that probably will new
er die. We frequently here it said
''They came down like a thousand of
brick :" or, a merry good fellow is a
"brick;" )" or still some jolly, half drunk
en- old cOdger "hdS brick in his hat.n
The st. Johnsbury Brick Company.
of which Major N. P Bowman is agent.
bought twelve acres of land on the east
ern side of Passumpsic river, in Pad
dock village, in the winter of 1870, for
which they paid $4,000. Upon this
land the very best of clay was found.
The sand is from bank just opposite
the Buzzell shops. Considerable was
expended here in grading the grounds
to make them suitable for the business.
When this was done, the best of ma
chinery was put in for the making of
common and ''hard pressed" brick. On
account of the extra cost, not many of
the latter were made, though those that
were made were nice specimens of
work. OF this grade Col. Franklin
Fair banks had his residence at Under
ciyffe built, as did also the late Hiram
li1ll OF waterford.
The amount of help employed here is
from nine to fifteen men. according TO
the work to be done, and generally
about three horses. The sole ippredi-
ents in the manufacture of brick, are
sand, clay, and water. 1t depends
largely upon the strength of the CLAW
what the proportions must be, but gen.
orally one third of sand to two thirds of
clay, with water to make the mortar of
the right consistency. Putting these
materials together, they are thoroughly
mixed, with machinery run by horse
power. After this process, the next step
is to ''strike" the brick, which is done
by filling mOulds the size and shape of
a brick, with the prepared mortar. Be-
ing soft and tender now, they are laid
flat side down for about "a hours, after
which they are turned up edgewise in
piles to dry, and finally put under COW
er and laid up in kilns ready for burn
ing.
The weather has very much to do
with brick making-the general saying
IS, that weather good to make hav is
good to make brick. The brick yard is
evel and smooth, and in good weather
almost as clean and orderly as house
Workmen in the immediate
process of striking brick, go scantily
clad, for everything is sloppy and mud
dy, and white pants and broadclotb
coats would soon get soiled.
AS we understand it, it requires con-
siderable skill to lay up and burn
kiln of brick, so as to spoil as few, and
save as many as possible. Like clear
ing new land, "bad burnn makes bad
work. The liability of the novice is, to
burn too much, or not enough. Here
comes in the nicely of this industry,
and where knowledge and experience
must be had to make good work. The
Yards of this company are now in
charge OF n. P. Bowman's son, who has
made this business a study-having OBJ
served the works in other places, and
applying the knowledge thus gained to
lis own benefit.
In kiln there are several arches or
Ines underneath, reaching through from
ide to side, where the wood is placed
or burning; and all through the kiln
here are interstices so there can be a
roper draught, and for allowing the
eating process to be as even and DOW
rful as required. Too hot fire will
warp and otherwise spoil the brick, and
90 light a fire will result in too many
pale" or soft brick. What must be
one then? Why, the brick burner
lust keep a close watch, making a
title hotter fire here, or stopping the
raugbt there. or directing the heat into
mother place, or places, as his practic-
q eye sees to be necessary. And this