The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-06-17
The Manufacture of Brick.

The art of brick making is of great antiquity.
We read in the good Book that when the descend
ants of Noah became numerous they left the prinl-
alive spot struck out for themselves as it were,
and contrary to Grceley's advice went east. In
their journey they came at length to the plain of
Shinar on the banks of the river Euphrates, and
were SO delighted with the country they said one
to another eco to, let make brick and burn
them thoroughly and they had brick for stone and
slime had they for MOI tar.''
1t is not our purpose follow in the building of
Babylon, of which the brick making above alluded
to was the preliminary, but to write something
concerning the brick industry of Mr.. Parish l..
Strout in East Belfast. One day last week we got
into Mr. Strout's carriage and rode to his brick
yard on the east side of the river. While there
Looking across the river to the city wondered
why it was the early settlers of Belfast concluded
to build on the west side of the harhor The cast
side is much more pleasant. You have here an
uninterrupted view of Il larger eXpansc of the
beautiful Pcn"hscot Bay. The solution is doubt
less due to the fact that the of the harbor
this side is deeper, thus afordinS better facilities
for the merchant marine, hence the city of Belfast,
although first sehled upon the eastern side, was
built upon the western.
Sixteen wears ago Parish l.. and Frank Strout
brothers, began the manufacture of brick The
business was new to them, but by perseverance
and industry they overcame all obstacles, and now
have the satisfaction Of making the best brick to
be found on PenobscOt Bay. Frank sold out to
his father, and since the latter's death, Parish L.
has conducted the business alone. His works are
not extensive, as he makes only enough to supply
the local demand. This year he will burn 100000
The brick in the Coliseum building the block of
five stores below and many o.hel buildings in the
city, were made by Mr.. Strout His land runs to
the shore OF the bay and the soil is very claycy
The clay it comes from the bank is not suitable
for brick making, but has to dry in the sun for
some time until its particles are disntegrated,
when it can be kneaded into Il mass of uni
form consistency. But CLAY alone does not answer
and sand or loan must De mixed with it, which
saves the brick from warping and cracking
Mr.. Strout usually mixes sand with his claw
but this year uses loan with equally good re
suits The ingredients are nine parts clav and
one part loan, mixed with water until the
mass is OF the right consistency to mould read
lily. This mixing kneading process is done
III an Enclosure called the tread. 1t is named
because in often times the mixing process was
done by the treading of horses, oxen, or men. At
tachcd to the tread is the brick making machine
cylindrical tub through which passes Il shaft arm
ed with blades. The sides of the tub are also
armed with these teeth blades which cut or
knead the clay as it is shoyclcd into il FROM the
tread. The shaft is carried around by a horse at
tarhed to Il horizontal arm. Workmen place a
mould for six bricks below this tab and a lever
process forces the mixture into the mould. For
the first time the mass assumes the appearance of
is known AS st,ik
Five of these moulds are placed barrow and
wheeled to the drying yard where they are placed
in long rows Loan is then sfted on them and
they are exposed to the weather for twcntv-four
hours. They are then edged up, or turned upon
their edges, 10 dry the under side. In one weeks
time the brick are sufficiently dry to go into the
Kiln. The drying process shrinks the brick three.
foulths Of an inch in length, and colrcspondingly
in width and thickness The next process is bak-
ing, which requires the most skill in brick making
The green bricks piled upon one another to
make their own kiln, and by this method large
quantities are burned in operation. A central
double wall is built lengthwse along the Kiln the
lower portion of bricks already baked and on each
side parallel longitudinal fire ues built of I'm.
burnt brick, laid very open; over them the great
body of brick is piled after exact system, ycrti
cal ilues ascending to the top and the whole work
Laid III an open manner for the free circulation of
the Sasscs The top and sides OF these kilns are
usually built of bricks that have been once baked.
over the whole covering of loan or plaster is
laid TO prevent the fire from burning too rapidly.
Mr. Strout will burn his whole 2S0,0oO in one kiln,
which will contain twelve of these fire arches
The time consumed in burning is about one week,
continuing night and day. one hundred cords Of
wood will be used. The bricks are now ready for
market and are worh $50 per one thousand. ON
Idle of iron in the clay impars The red color to the
brick. Mr. Strout runs Il small crew and makes
about 5000 brick daily. The heavier work, such as
pumning the water, Lncading the clay etc., is done
with horse. Mr.. S,rout is very courteous gen
tleman, thoroughly understands his business and
deserves the success he has won