62 - To Calcine Lead.
To start, calcine the lead in a kiln, as the potters do, in large quantities. Typically, in two days you can calcine many hundreds of pounds of lead. However, take care in its calcination. The kiln should not be overly hot but moderately dampered, holding the lead just at the point of fusion. Otherwise, it will not calcine.
As the lead starts to melt a yellow layer will form over it. At this point, begin using an iron [tool] in order to direct the calcined part forward. Always spread [the lead] in the inner extremity of the bottom of a kiln surfaced with soft stone able to withstand the fire. The kiln must have a slope down, towards the mouth. This is well known and goes without saying.
Just as you calcined it the first time, place it in the kiln again and spread it out. Damper the kiln sufficiently, so the heat reverberates. Continuously mix the Iead calx with an iron for several hours, so that in this second calcination, it becomes even more yellow.
Once calcined, screen it through a fine sieve. Return what does not pass, to re-calcine with the new Iead. This is the way to calcine lead in great quantities, in order to make !arge amounts of cane for beadmaking. Above all, make sure that the stove is well dampered, because if the lead grows too hot it will be impossible to calcine.