Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-12-24
CHARCOAL BURNING.
The Industry Has Been Hurt by Use Of
Coal and Coke.

Time was when the entire annual Yield
of many European forests was devoted
to no wOrthier purpose than the making
of charcoal for use as fuel in iron or
glass smelling works But nowadays
good forest timber can be put to better
purpose. and, although IN some places
charcoal burning still ilOuriShes on Il
large scale, the industry, strangled by
coal and coke, has been steadily dimn-
lshing in Importance.
The best site for kiln is one that has
been used before-the ground is thor
oughly dry aud is covered with absorb
| tive charcoal dust.
The kiln usually consists of two tiers
of wood, one upon the other. placed as
straight up as possible, the smaller piece
inside, the thicker pieces in the center
and the smaller pieces again toward the
outside. When two stories have been
f. piled up in this way more wood is LAID
Horizontally across the narrow top. This
kiln is gradually shaped like Il dome All
openings are then carefully filled in, 10
order to prey mt unnecessary drafts, and
the whole is made as firm as possible
| \ passage is now constructed from the
outside of the kiln to the flue in the cen
! ter. or Il log of wood which has been
/ placed previously in position is drawn
| from under the bottom tier. leaving a
hollow kindling passage, in which. when
/ the kiln is completed, torch NAV be
inserted to set fire to the shavingS
/ Now the important work of covering
the kiln is commenced. Supports of vari-
Gus kinds are placed in position to save
a collapse under the weight of the cover
! ngs. of which there is both an inner and
an outer. The kiln is first filed as it
were. with thin sods, overlapping each
/ other. Then the outer covering is ap-
| piled. consisting of loamy forest soil and
charcoal dust we'll mixed. and firm
enough to exclude air and retain the heat.
/ and at the same time soft enough to al
I low steam to escape, and to yield with
/ eut cracking. as the kiln gradually sinks
/ during the burning
/ Nothing remains but to erect wind
| break il necessary. before burning the
/ kiln.
/ Early in the morning. when the mir is
/ still, Il torch of pine is inserted in the
passage before mentioned. and the flames
/ seize bold of the dry twiSs and shavingS
| in the Hue.
| At first. when the dome becomes hot.
! steam and thick smoke issue from the
! top: if all is well. the smoke should give
/ way to flame. and a not unpleasant. pun
gent ndur should he noticeable This is a
! sign that carbOnization is in progress.
/ After Il few hours charcoal will form in
/ the dome, which viii gradually sink in.
{ SHOULD tltt SiihEH- btN Irregular. II a
/ sign tn the charcoal burner that the kiln
4 is burning uneyenly. There is too much
1 draft from one quarter, or too little in
another: on some of the wood in the
/ kiln is burning quicker than other pieces.
/ This state Of affairs must be remedie1 by
+ boring draft holes or applying water. as
/ the case may require
1 On the second day after kindiug. the
/ first vcnt-holes are made. These holes.
I bored through both coverings down In Jhe
4 wood, in two rows to leeward. help to
/ regulate the burning. and also give indi-
cation when the carhoniziny process ncars
! completion. At first smoke ana steam
! l>S"e through them-and after a while
T the smoke turns blue which is sure
l8nd certain sign that the q arcnal is burn
/ iEg. and this Of course. is the Inst thing
/ the charcoal-huruCrs desire. The holes
mus: be closed Immediately with soil or
/ turf. and fresh row opened lower down
/ the sid,