200 DRESSING AND SHARPENING, &c. [Chap. 13.

But if it be broad and stiff, and the inside white, it isa sure sign that the stones are dull, or over-fed. If youfind some parts that are much thicker and harder thanthe rest, such as half or quarter grains, it shows thatthere are some furrows that have too much draught, orare too deep, or steep, at the back edge; else, that youare grinding with less feed than the depth of the fur-rows, and velocity of the stone will bear.

article 110.

OF DRESSING AND SHARPENING THE STONES WHEN DULL.

When the stones get dull they must be taken up, thatthey may be sharpened; to do this in the best manner,we must be provided with sharp, hard picks, with whichthe feather edge of the furrows are to be dressed as sharpas possible; which cannot be done with soft or dull picks.The bottoms of the furrows are likewise to be dressed,to keep them of the proper depth; but here the dull picksmay be used.* The straight staff must now, also, be runover the face carefully, and if there be any parts harderor higher than the rest, the red will be left on them;they must be cracked lightly, with many cracks, to makethem wear as fast as the softer parts, in order to keepthe face good. These cracks also form the edges thathelp to clean the bran; and the harder and closer thestone, the more numerous are they to be. They are tobe made with a very sharp pick, parallel to the furrows;the damper the grain, the more the stone is to be cracked;and the drier and harder it is, the smoother must theface be. The hard smooth places which glaze, maybe made to wear more evenly, by striking them, either

• To prevent the steel from striking your fingers, take a piece ofleather aboutS by 6 inches square; make a hole through the middle, and put the handle of Uiepick through it, keeping it between your hands and the pick, making a loop inthe lower edge, through which put one of your fingers, to keep up the lowerpart from the stone.