Читать книгу The Science of Brickmaking онлайн

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We have given an outline of the evidence upon which certain brick-earths in the Thames valley are proved to be of fresh-water origin—to have accumulated in quiet reaches of the river, and at other convenient spots along its course—but we have used that as an illustration only; phenomena of precisely the same character are manifested in nearly all river valleys in this country, especially those in which the bottom of the valley has only a slight gradient down to the sea.

The brickmaker may ask: What is the practical bearing of these observations? What difference does it make to us whether the earths we use are of fresh-water, lacustrine, or marine origin? All the difference in the world, from the points of view of structure, composition and suitability of the earths, and especially of their distribution over the face of the country. How much easier it is to value an extensive brickmaking property when you feel perfectly certain as to whether the face of earth as shown in the pit will die out on being worked into for a few yards, or whether it will be persistent throughout the whole of the property to be valued. Better still, when your knowledge enables you to state definitely whether the quality of earth now being worked in a pit is likely to continue the same, or whether it will get better, or worse. The disposition of the earths, in some instances, is so clear that no brickmaker with an eye to business could fail to trace their extent over his property. But this is not often the case, for the earths being used are for the most part covered by a superficial mantle, or overburden, which masks the true character of the beds beneath. A very slight acquaintance with the principles of geology overcomes these difficulties as a rule; and we are about to lay down the elements of these principles, so far as they apply to the immediate subject in hand. By seeing why it is the beds of brick-earth vary in structure and composition we shall be in a better position to make forecasts of their general behaviour.