Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-07-24
CLAY FOR THE PoTTERs.
How the Finest Is Prepared for Use-The
 Best Is from Missouri.

How the Finest Is Prepared for Use-Tho
 Best Is from Missouri.
 It is we'll known that the pots used by the slassmakers must necessarily be of the best material, but what that material is, or where it is found, is not so generally known. A gentleman connected with one of the largest houses in the city dealing in glassware, who is also interested in the manufacture, said:
 "For a long tlm- no clay was found that equaled that found at Stourbridge, England, but now no glassmaker in this country need import any, for .n the immediate vicinity of St. Louis a clay company produces from its mines an article fully equal in every respect to the English clay, and this is now i'll gen. eral 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 shoveIed through an opening in the wall directly into huge vats when it is dissolved in water From that moment the cleansing process be- gins. This is the most important thing Ill the whole proceeding and for this reason the carts are not allowed to enter.
 'ENot only are the carts kept out, but strangers are rigidly excluded, and some in- fuence is necessary to secure permission to visit the building. When one enters he is requested to clean his shoes very carefully. as the introduction of the most minute parti- cles 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 the machinery which is touched by the cla while it is in state of solution.
 HClay when if is stirred m in water. will remain ill solution for a long time, and the particles of sand, gravel or iron which may be in it will settle to the bottom of the liquid as it is carried from the large vats through suices to the tanks where it Is allowed to settle. As it passes through this sluice it IS screened or run through fine wire netting, and at this point it is constantly and care fully 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 evaporating room and placed in shallow pans the sides and bottoms of which are covered with coils of steam pipe. A uniform temperature Of 7O degs is maintained as nearly as possible in the room. A large force of workmen turn the clay over and over with shovels until it is of the consistency of putty ready for the glaziers use.
 "Thence it is taken to another room, where is powerful block molding machine which presses it into a slab which Is cut into blocks by boy. He uses sort of bow with wire string, and as he cuts he stamps each block with the factory mark Then in the drying room they are baked slowly for five days when they are ready for sale in that shape, or for reduction to powder, which is sold ill barrels. ."-New York Mail and Express.