Page:Treatise on Soap Making.djvu/54

38 The kelp now broke, spread about one-sixth part of it upon the floor, or slake-pit, if there is one, upon which lay about half a bushel lime-shells, and water them. When the shells begin to burst and crack, put on another layer of kelp, then more shells, and water them; and so on, stratum super stratum, or one above the other, until there is about the quantity of 2½ or 3 American ash barrels of shells mixed with the 12 cwt. of kelp. Let this stand for the space of two hours. The cave in the interim may be got ready for receiving them, thus: Lay two rows of bricks upon the bottom, from the hole or pipe quite across to the opposite side, forming therewith a small channel, of three or four inches breadth. Cover this over with any convenient thing, such as slate, tyle, a piece of dale, &c. And to crown the whole, lay on some straw, or an