Morning journal and courier., 1888-07-19
FINE CLAK,
How 1t Is Prepared and Re0ned fol
 GIaaanakera' ROfa

How 1t Is Prepared and Re0ned for GIassmakers' Pots. From the New York Mail and Express.J It is well known that the pots used by the glassmakers must necessarily be of the best material, but what that material is, or where it is to be found, is not so generally known. 4 gentleman connected with one of the lar gest houses in this city dealing in glassware, who is also interested in the manufacture, said:
 ''For long time no clay was found that equalled that found st Stourbridge, England, but now no glassmaker in this country need import any, for in the immediate vicinity of St. Louis clay company produces from it's mines an article fully equal in every respect to the English clay, and this is now in gene- ral use throughout the United States. The process of preparing it for use is most inter- esting.
 "The clay is taken in carts from the mines to the works, and there shoveled through an opening in the wall directly into huge vats, when it is dissolved in water. From that moment the cleansing process begins. This is the most important thing in the whole proceeding and for this reason the carts are not allowed to enter.
 
 strangers are rigidly excluded, and some in- huence is necessary to secure permission tt visit the building. When one enters he il requested to clean his shoes very carefully, Gs the introduction of the most minute par ticles of dirt will injure the clay. Employes are required to wear wooden shoes while at work for the sake of cleanliness, and they willingly comply because leather shoes are soon destroyed, the nails being quickly de stroyed by coming in contact with the clay. Iron will not stand the contact and brass is consequently used instead of iron in all ma chinery which is touched by the clay while it is in 8 state of solution.
 fClay when it is stirred up in water will remain in solution for long time, and the particles of sand, gravel or iron which may be in it will settle to the bottom of the li- quid as it is carried from the large vats through sluices to tke tanks, where it is al- lowed to settle. AS it passes through this sluice it is screened or run through fine wire netting, and at this point it is constant ly and carefully watched by two workmen. "In the tanks it remains for about week until the clay has settled to the bottom and the clear water is drawn off to be used again. The clay is then taken to the evapo- rating room and placed in shallow pans, the sides and bottoms of which are covered with coils of steam pipe. A uniform temperature of seventy degrees is maintained as nearly as possible in the room. A large force of workmen turn the clay over and over with shovsls until it is of the consistency of put ty ready for the glazier's use.
 "Thencs it is taken Is another room where is powerful block moulding machine which presses it into slab which is cut intc blocks by boy. He uses a sort of bow with wire string, and as he cuts he stamps each block with the factory mark. Then fl the drying room they are baked slowly fo1 five days, whom they are ready for sale ir that shape or for reduction to powder, which is sold in barrels.''