Presents evidence from Neufchâtel-en-Bray, Seine-Maritime, and elsewhere that standardized processes and standardized yields of cast iron were available by 1550; this runs counter to Tholander and Blomgren's article. Some aspects of the origin of the blast furnace, in <i>Historical metallurgy</i> Vol. 20, No.2, pp. 79-86, 1986. See also <i>AATA</i> <b>25-913</b>. There is also evidence for standard sized hearths in the Weald at this time. The author feels this neglect of French facts is a mistake. Documents of 1486 from Neufchâtel-en-Bray seem to relate to a standard blast furnace and finery forge.