English: The process of melting bar steel, and thus producing cast steel, was first practically carried on by Mr. Huntsman, of Atterclifle ; the process itself is very simple. Fig. 620 shows a cross section of the furnace universally used.

The furnace a is square, lined with fire-stone 12 inches by 22 wide, and 36 inches deep from the grate bar to the under side of the cover B. C is a crucible, of which two are placed in one " melting hole." D is the flue in'o the chimney E, which is about 40 feet high, lined with fire-brick. There is an air flue which is used to regulate the draught at P. G is the ash pit, and H the cellar, which is arched over.

The steel is broken in pieces and charged into the crucible,

which is placed on a stand and provided with a cover ; coke is used as a fuel, and an intense heat is obtained. The crucible is charged three times during the day, and is then burnt through ; the first charge is usually 36 lbs., which requires from three to four hours to melt it ; the second charge is about 32 lbs., which is melted in about three hours ; the last charge is 28 to 30 Ibs, which does not require more than two to two and a half hours to become perfectly melted. The consumption of coke averages 3 1/2 tons per ton of cast steel. When the steel is completely fluid, the crucible is drawn from the furnace, and the steel poured into a cast-iron mould ; the result is an ingot, which is subsequently rolled or hammered, according to the want of the consumer.