COST OF FUEL.
" 1881, number of brick burnt per ton of coal, 4,113 ; cost of fuel per 1,000 brick, $1.03 ; price of coal per ton delivered, $4.25.
" 1882, number of brick burnt per ton of coal, 4,280; cost of fuel per 1,000 brick, $.97 ; price of coal per ton delivered, $4.15.
" 1883, number of brick burnt per ton of coal, 4,274; cost of fuel per 1,000 brick, $.97 ; price of coal per ton delivered, $4.15.
" 1884, number of brick burnt per ton of coal, 4,551 ; cost of fuel per 1,000 brick, $.91 ; price of coal per ton delivered, $4.15.
" 1885, number of brick burnt per ton of coal, 4,530; cost of fuel per 1,000 brick, $.86; price of coal per ton delivered, $3.90.
" 1889, number of brick burnt per ton of coal, 4,632 ; cost of fuel per 1,000 brick, $.89; price of coal per ton delivered, $4.25.
" 1890, number of brick burnt per ton of coal, 4,267 ; cost of fuel per 1,000 brick, $.97 ; price of coal per ton delivered, $4.15.
" Making the average cost for seven years for fuel to burn 1,000 brick 94 6-10 cents per 1,000. And the average number of brick burnt with one ton of coal for seven years 4,378." The following is from a paper read by Mr. C. W. Raymond, of Dayton, Ohio, before the Ohio Brick, Tile and Drainage Association, held in the city of Columbus, Ohio, February 25, 1891. The paper is entitled " Pressed and Ornamental Brick." " I strenuously advocate the advisability of having certain days on which to ' strike out' brick for re-pressing. Special care can better be given to the preparation of the clay ; the machinery, belting, molds, presses, etc., can be cleansed and oiled for the occasion ; dry clay or hard particles removed from the machine or pug mill ; the drying floor, pallets and racks be swept and having removed all dirt and dust from them ; the brick machine can be run at a slower speed to admit of time being taken to give the best results in handling ; in fact, the rush and hurry incident upon making large numbers of common brick can be avoided. Again, in striking out brick for re pressing it is necessary that an extra amount of clay should be contained in them. First, to compensate for condensation
given them by pressure. Second, pressed brick when laid in the wall require a much smaller mortar joint than common ones ; hence to bond with them properly they must be thicker, therefore larger molds are required. These and other reasons present themselves why it is advantageous to have stated days or times for this work.
" I would not advise my friends to attempt to make pressed brick without satisfying themselves that their material is suit able, either in itself or susceptible of advantageous combination. This should be determined by an actual test by a practical burner. A chemical analysis is of inestimable value in deter mining the presence of alkalies or other impurities which cause so much unsightly efflorescence in many of our fine fronts. The novice, however, need not be discouraged if his first trial does not pan out.' If it does not indicate that he has made a rich find,' additional experimenting, combination or chemical treatment may later on develop the fact that he has struck pay dirt.' "The manner of preparing the clay and striking out the brick for making pressed brick is identical with that of making common brick, except, perhaps, the precautionary measures that are taken to insure the very best results. It seems unneces sary for me to describe a process so well known to you all. Weathering is usually advisable. It is a great help in the tem pering or pugging of the clay, as the assimilation caused thereby lightens the work on the machinery and produces a thorough mixture of the strata.
" It is important first of all that the clay be free from stones, roots, and all foreign substances. Judicious work of the pit men in weeding' out the largest of these at the clay-bank is commendable. Frequent stoppages of the machinery are avoided, and its liability to breakage reduced to a minimum.