12

WILDBAD.

CHAPT. I.

a net addition of 11,221 morgen to the land given up to the culture of timber.

No inconsiderable quantity of wood is converted into charcoal. This is done by a very simple process: tliree poles (called Quandel) are stuck into the ground at distances of one foot to a foot and a half, so as to form an equi- lateral triangle. Ko und tbese the logs are laid, until a py- ramid of 40 and more fcet in diameter, and a heiglit offrom 12 to 16 fcet, bas been formed. After this pyramid, which they call a Meiler, is hermctically shut up from the access of air, by means of a layer of turf and earth; ignited. coals are thrown into the pit formed by the Quandel, and the fire kept up by constant addition of small pieces of wood. As soon as this triangulär coluinn of burning coals in the inferior of the Meiler reaches the top, tlie opeuing, by which access was obtained, is closed, and boles are made from above into the cloak of the Meiler; tbese are stopped again whcn the smoke issuing from them begins to change its greyish lmc for a blue colour, and new boles are made below the first. This is repcated until the wliole is converted to charcoal, which takes up from 8 to 10 days. After the Meiler has cooled down, the coals are drawn out, sortcd and transported in light Waggons, with wheels not larger than the forc one of an english carriage. *

* “They contrive to make them bear enormous loads, but the perch is moveable, and they can make it any length they please ; they are of so simple a construction tliat every farmer can repair his own. If hc has a perch, a pole, and Tour wheels, tliat is enough ; with a little in- genuity he makes it carry liay, stones, earth, or any thing he wants, by putting a plank at each side. Wlien he wants a carriage for pleasure, he fits it up for that purpose; his moveable perch allows him to make it any thing. I counted seventeen grown persons sitting side by side, looking most happy, in one of them, drawn only by a pair of small horses, and in this Lilly country.”

Lady Vavasour (My last tour and first work.)