TERRA-COTTA, BRICK, ETC.
127
in their report upon pottery at the Exhibition of 1851, givo
a very full list of works, publications, and patents con
nected with brick-making machiuery. Those specially inter-
ested in this brauch of the subject may find in the above-cited
authorities the most accurate available Information, at least
from the European poiut of view.*
Hoffmann’s Furnace.
The great establishment for the manufacture of bricks in
Vienna now has thirty-three of Hoffmanns patent riug-
ovens ” or annular brick-kilns in use. Tliey are said to mark
a new era in the history of the works, elfecting a great saviug
offuel, and consequently increasing the profits. They are
equally applicable to burning brick, lime, earthenware, cement,
and gypsum. The inventor states that over one thousand are
now in use, and claims to effect a saving of two-thirds of the
fuel required by the old methods of burning. Inasmuch as a
very good description of the apparatus has been given by Di.
Barnard in Ins report on the Paris Exposition,! it is sufficient
to direct attention to this furnace, which does not appear to
have found favor in the United States. One objection given
against its use is the greater scale upon which our brick
manufacture is conducted. V hen a kiln of the 01 di naiv form
is opened there is room enough for carts and horses to drive
in and load with brick of auy desired kind,—either hard-
burned, pressed, or soft, or " salmon brick.” This objection
mio-ht, however, be readily overcome by making the cham-
bers of greater size.
Clay Pipes.
The manufacture of clay pipes is a branch of ceramic ait of
no small importance, industrially. The establishment of
Messrs. McKlroy & Co., in Philadelphia, turns out about a
thousand gross of pipes weekly. About twenty different
styles are made, ranging in price from 85 cents to $1.35 the
gross. A clay of peculiar excellonce is required.
* Pottery—Terra-Cotta Stoneware, Fire-Brick, etc. Van Nostrand, 1872.
f Industrial Arts, by Frederick A. P. Barnard, LL. D.