How Iron ought to be purg'd, and made closer, to be turned into Steel.

TAke barres or rods of Iron Hammered and reduced to the bignesse of the middle finger, and stratifie them in a fit∣ting Vessel with a course powder made with 1. b. of Beech or Willow coals, and ij. p. of Oxehorn scrap'd, the joints of the cover of the Vessel being well luted, and the Vessel put in a wind-Furnace made for the purpose, wherein you shall give a circular fire with good coals the space of five or six hours, and all being cooled, take off your Iron which you shall find purer, closer and more compacted, the volatile salt and oylinesse of the Horn having penetrated the barres of Iron, and very much corrected and sweetened it: insomuch as it is lesse porous and earthy, it is also more ductile and malleable before the water be given unto it, and much harder, and fit to cut after it has re∣ceived the water; but as it doth not conduce to our present pur∣pose, it will suffice us to say, that since Steel is puter and more refined then plain Iron, that it is consequently Steel must be taken by our Artist to serve his Chymical Operations there∣with. They that will use Filings, let them take of those which are found ready to hand at the Needle-makers, in case they be in a place where they can conveniently get it, otherwise let them take of the purest and best Steel they shall meet with, and File it into very small dust. We have brought here this operation to no other end then to shew our Artist, that the volatile Salts ever exalt and advance to a better quality the subjects on which they are employed, that he may the more entertain a due e∣steem of them, and repose in them his chief trust and confidence rather then in any other Remedies.