Concerning The Small Art Of Casting.

LET us return and follow our first intention of discussing the art of melting. Since I have demonstrated to you how large works are made, you may have thought that the way to the small ones was also open to you, and you would not have been mistaken. But in order to avoid work and expense there are shorter and easier ways to be used, both because the things can be handled more easily and because it is not necessary to have so much regard for the forces of small materials. Therefore, wishing to make a distinction for you, I shall call this the small art of casting. Before speaking of this, I shall tell you of several methods of making powders for moulding. Then I shall also tell you of the methods of moulding in boxes and in frames, and how the said powders are to be prepared for casting either dry or green. Then I shall tell you some methods that are held as secret by the masters for handling the metals in melting and making them flow readily, so that you may easily fill the cavities of your moulds.