Briquettes.

The art of briquette making can only be acquired by constant practice. It is surprising how "practical experience" excels "much theory" in this branch.

To ensure fair results great care and attention is necessary. Cleanse the moulds and iron plates thoroughly with a slightly greasy cloth. Weigh the water and the cement. After adding the water work up the mixture smartly with two trowels, breaking it up frequently and thoroughly beating it into a homogeneous mass. Transfer into the moulds when gentle rattling will leave the excess of water and cement above the level of the moulds. This is removed in smoothing off with the trowel.

It is most important to shake the moulds sufficiently to expel the air and water bubbles, and thus leave the briquette as solid as possible. The whole operation, after adding the water, should not exceed live minutes. The cement should remain undisturbed after the setting has commenced.

In hot weather it is a good plan to protect the briquettes from undue evaporation of water, by covering them with a damp cloth.

After remaining 24 hours in air the briquettes are taken from the moulds and immersed in water, where they remain until broken. The usual periods before breaking are 7 and 28 days from the time of gauging.

In taking the briquettes out of the moulds care must be exercised not to jar or cause flaws. The shape of the moulds should be such that the briquette can easily be removed without injury.