Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-10-24
ABOUT CHARCOAL BURNING
Industry Has Steadily Decreased iu
 Importance--How the Fuel 2 Is Made.

Time was, when the entire annual yield of many European forests was de- voted to no worthier purpose than the making of charcoal. for use as fuel in iron or glass smelting works, says writer in Pearson's. But nowadays good forest timber can generally be put to better purpose, and although in some places charcoal burning still fourishes on a large scale, the industry. strangled by coal and coke, has been steadily di- minishing in importance.
 The best site for al kiln is one that has been used before-the ground is thoroughly, dry, and is covered with ab- sorptive charcoal dust.
 The kiln usually consists of two tiers of wood, one upon the other, placed as straight up as possible. the smaller. pieces inside, the thicker pieces in the center, and smaller pieces again toward the outside When two stories have been piled up in this way, more wood is laid horizontally across the narrow top; This kiln is gradually shaped like a dome. All openings are then carefully filled in, in order to prevent unneces- sary draughts, and the whole is made as firm as possible.
 A passage is now constructed from the outside of the kiln to the fiue In the cen- ter; or 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, a torch may be in- serted to set fire to the shavings.
 Now the important work of covering the kiln is commenced. Supports of va rious kinds are placed in position to save a collapse under the weight of the cov- erings, of which there is both an inner and an outer. The kiln is first tiled, as it were, with thin sods, overlapping each other. Then the outer coving is applied, consisting of loamy forest soil and dchar- coal dust, we'll mixed. and firm enough to exclude air and retain the heat, and at the same time soft enough to allow steam to escape, and to yield without cracking, as the kiln gradually sinks during the burning.
 Nothing now remains but to erect wind break. if necessary, before burn ing the kiln.
 Early in the morning, when the air is still, a torch of pine is inserted in the passage before mentioned, and the flames seize hold of the dry twigs and shavings in the flue
 At first, when the dome becomes hot steam and thick smoke issue from the top; if all is well, the smoke should giv way to flame, and a not unpleasant pungeant odor should be noticeable This is a sign that authorization is il progress. After few hours charcoal will form in, the dome, which will grad ually sink in.
 Should the charcoal be irregular. t is a sign to the charcoal burner that the kiln is burning unevenly. There is too much draft from one quarter. or too little in another; or some of the woo6 in the kiln is burning quicker than other pieces. This state of affairs must be remedied by boring draft holes or ap- plying water. as the case may require.
 On the second day after kindling, the first vent holes are made. These holes bored through both coverings down to the wood, in two rows to leeward, help to regulate the burning, and also give indication when the carbonizing process hears completion. At first, smoke and steam issue through them-and after awhile the smoke turns blue. which is sure and certain sign that the char coal is burning, and this, of course, is the last thing the charcoal burners de- sire. The holes must be closed imme- diately with soil or turf. and fresh row opened lower down the side