The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-01-31
dlssfal gnformatiou.


The Manufacture OF EarthenWare.
The potter art has long furnished Great
Britain and other European countries with
most important branches Of commerce. It
was first introduced into England by two
foreigners, at place called Bradawoods,
which is now Longport, situated about two
miles from Burslem, Staffordshire. These
two men commenced in small way and
kept themselves very secluded. The ware
which they made was-of quality very in
ierior to that Of the present day; the
business was only in its infancy, and the
only mode Of glazing the ware was by sim
ply throwing salt into the saggass or yes
sells in which the crockeEy was baked, y
was reserved for the famous and ever noted
Josiah Wedgewood to be the pioneer in
introducing new glazes and bodies, and 10
improve and bring to perfection the man
ufacture Of earthenware. This was during
the commencement Of the eighteenth CEN
tury. He it was who laid the foundation
Of the famous Staifordshire potteries, which
now extend some ten or twelve miles in
length and two or three miles in width.
The district contains the towns Of Tunstall,
Burslem, Longport, Dalehall,, Hanley,
Stoke upon Trent, Fenton, and LOngton.
The potteries are right amidst the clays
that are used in the manufacture. The
same clays are also found in abundance in
Derbyshire, which is the next county, but
the most important and valuable clay y
found in Cornwall 1t called china clay,
and is purely white. This clay is not
found anywhere else in the United King
dom. Another valuable acquisition to the
potteries is the valuable coal beds which
abound in North Stafordshire, and furnish
very important material in the manufac-
ture Of earthenware.
The clay is generally weathered for one
or two years before being used, that is, it
is exposed to the effects Of the atmosphere,
TO make it Of a better color and more plia-
Bile. After which, certain quantities of
each kind are weighed out, put in large
watts, and worked together until they are
thoroughly mixed, and become Of the con
sistency Of thick milk. Other ingredients
are then mixed with these clays. They
are china clay, felspar, and a few other
materials to give body and Conscience to
the ware. After the whole has been ground
aud mixed up together, it Is put in large
press, and by means ef haass tl's materials
become more solid, are pressed iato large
blocks, and are ready to be used. An
earthenware mandatory is arranged In
such q mrnner that each branch is kept
separate to itself.
In making a water pitcher, for instance
the body Of the pitcher is made in two
equal parts, and the handle is made seaa
rafely. The presser, as he is called, take
sufficient clay for the molds he is going Y
use; the mold is made Of plaster Of Paris
When both halves Of the mold are filed
he puts them together, and straps them
tightly; he then finishes the inside Of thu
pitcher, by smoothing il by means Of q vel
sponge, to gil up the seams. He then
takes of the STRIP, and places the mold with
its conteptsin 4 small room which iskept at .
high temperasure. This Is done TO hardeu
the clay, and evaporats the water. After
being in few hours, the clay appears
white; and the mold is taken out and
opened The pitcher Is then finished Of
and the handle is put on This being
done, it is ready for what i called the
biscnit oven, where il undergoes its 6rst
baking. Asimilar process is gone through
IN making dishes, plates, psand aaucers,
and other articles, except that the moIds
are Of different shape. The ovens, or
kilns as they are called, are built ef brick
and are Of 4 conicaI shape, something like
sugar loaf. t2 IS
Amer The ware Is finished, il Is placed
IL what are called saeasrs, vessels made Of