Aluminum castings can e made in any ordinary foundry fitted for making brass castings, says the "American achinist." A graphite crucible should be used, and the metal is melted preferably over a coke fire. If this is not convenient, a fire of charcoal, oil or gas can be used, and they are desirable in about the order named. The great object is to use a fuel which is free from nitrogen and phosphorus. It is not advisable to use either hard or soft coal, because these fuels produce more or less of the above gases, which to a certain extent will be absorbed by the metal and occasion blow holes.

If it is desired to obtain an aluminum casting with a fine surface, the best results can be secured by first facing the mold with a fine sand, which has been thoroughly dried. Then, after the mold has been faced with the sand, it should be baked with the smoke of a gasoline torch. If these precautions are followed, the ordinary brass founder will have no difficulty in making successful aluminum castings.