The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1883-02-10
Manufacturing Of Charcoal,

Having had inquiries relative 70 the
Manufacture of charcoal on some former
occasions, we give the following full de-
scriptive account of the process as per-
formed by skiilful burners in North
Wales, which we copy from the Gar
deners' Chronicle, Some Useful sug-
gestions may doubtless be obtained
from this account by those engaged in
the business in our timber regions:
Select piece OF ground sheltered
from the prevailing winds, and to which
easy access with wood can be obtained.
A hut or temporary shelter Of some
kind should also be provided for the
men engaged at the work, as during the
period OF burning constant attention is
required both day and night.
The quality of wood used is not of
special Importance, although charcoal
produced from ash, oak or beech, is of
superior quality to that obtained from
most other woods, and may consist of
firewood, or any unstable pieces Of tim
Der that may be come across in the gen
eral course of thinning. The wood is
sawn into pieces two feet in length, and
these again split, if required, to about
three or four inches square, until suffi
cient quantity has been cut up for the
pit, after which the building of this is
proceeded with in the following manner;
The pit is made of conical shape,
twenty-one feet in diameter and nine
feet in height. A strong stake is driven
into the ground, the top of which is left
protruding about twelve inches; around
this are placed small pieces of dry ash or
pine of similar length, and standing as
close to the upright stake as possible.
Another layer is formed in the same
manner and so on until a circle of about
four feet in diameter is obtained. A
circle of one foot in diameter, and having
the top of the stake formerly driven into
the ground as center, is next made by
placing the wood horizontally side by
side on the upright pieces, laying others
on these in similar manner until the
pit is of the required height, thus form
ing a sort OF chimney, by means of which
the pit is fired; the wood used here being
dry pieces of ash, twenty -four inches in
length, but split rather smaller than the
ordinary pieces. Outside this the wood
is placed on end aad reclining inwards,
this being continued until the pit is of
the required size.
The top half of the pitts now carefully
examined, and any ereviees between the
wood are packed full of small pieces of
turf and sawdust to exclude the air.
The pit is then covered with newly cut
turf, beginning at the base and working
towards the top each row of turf over
tapping by few inches the previous
one, the circular hole or chimney being
left open for firing. The best turf for
this purpose is grown on loamy soil; that
from clay being too stiff, and leaving a
residue after burning of clods, instead of
fine SOIL The turf may be cut of any
convenient length, but not over foot in
width. the quantity required being about
three loads. The pit is then fired by
dropping quantity of burning wood
and some dry pieces of pine or ash into
the opening left at the top. After
having become thoroughly lighted, the
top turf is put on, which completely
shuts up the chimney, when the process
of charring commences.
During the period of burning, constant
attention is required day and night, more
especially should the weather be stormy,
for the wind blowing for some time from
one point generally causes that side to
burn very rapidly and "flat'' into hole.
Should this occur, the hole must at once
be filled with knotted logs, which should
be laid aside for this purpose when split
ting the wood, and recovered with turf,
any crevices being carefully filed with
sawdust to exclude the air. During mild
weather less attention is required; the
pit burns uniformly all over. and pro-
duces the best charcoal.
The time required in burning varies
from seven to nine days, much depend
ing on the state of the weather, mild
requiring the longest period. As the
charring proceeds the turf gradually
disappears, until only slight covering
of burnt earth remains, at which point
the pit is reduced to about half its orig
inal size. When cool the pit is ready
for being opened, the charcoal being
extracted by means of light rake re-
sembling a drag, but with much finer
teeth; and after becoming thoroughly
cool is stored in a dry shed until required
for use. By the above method the very
finest charcoal is produced, and of supe-
rior quality to what is generally sold.
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