A furnace for the controlled preparation of cadmium sulfide (CdS) by the vapor phase method is described. A constant rate of evaporation of the cadmium metal is mMntained so that any changes in the ratio of Cd to S, or in the speed of reaction, can be made. Inserts fitted into the reaction tube allow the quick removal of the formed CdS without cooling the furnace. By controlled operation of the reaction furnace, a uniform crystal h~bit was obtained. X-ray diffraction analysis showed l~ttice imperfections to be present in CdS and CdSe crystals.