Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1921-04-22
WHERE
COMES FROM

city to the average American, needs
only this introduction: ut is the
home of ~chinaware."
1t is the subject of the following
communication to the National Geo
graphic society from Frank b. Lenz:
1.-THE greatest Industrial city of
China is not N Of the treaty ports,
where the direct influence of western
progress is constantly felt, but a bus
Ting interior city of Kiangsi province
-Ching-teh-chen. This Is the famous
porcelain and pottery center Of the
nation-indeed, it Is the original home
Of the porcelain industry of the world.
There are few cities in America
or Europe that are so completely CIV
en- over to a single industry as this
one.
"Chinawarel What does the word
connote? 1t is simply q ware made
of clay and named for the country
that first produced 1t. Whether 1t be
a green tile from a temple roof, a dish,
a vase,,hor "a painted ornament from
a weaithy Celestial,s home, it all has
a ~traceable. connection with Ching-teh-
chen. With the Chinese, Ching-teh-
chen and porcelain are synonymous.
rChingsteh-chen Clown Of Scenic
virtue'l is; n of the four largest
towns Gas distinguished from cities)
of China. Technically. II is a town.
because 1t has, no wall. In reality 1t
is q busy Industrial city Of 100000
people, Itwo.thirds of whom are en-
gaged in the manufacture and sale of
porcelain. Economically, 1t is a city
to stir mems souls. Longfellow, In
his 'Keramos, speaks of 1t.
TThe geographical location of
Ching-teh chen Is not accidental. 1t
became the pottery center Of the
try centuries. ago because Of the enor-
nous Quantities of excellent clay In
the district around Pc Yang Lake.
More than a dozen kinds of excellent
clay are found In the neighborhood
Of the lake.
rAfter the. clays are thoroughly
cleansed, sifted, and refined they are
kneaded together In varying proper
lions. usually By q bare-footed boy,
until they are ready for the potter.
The wet lump of clay is then placed
on the knob Of the spotteris wheel.
1.-THE. potter's wheel, which was in
vented by the Chinese. Is a huge cir
cuIar machine, about four feet In d.
ameter, made of heavy timbers to lend
1t momentum. 1t rests on a perpen-
dicular axis In a slight depression,
or pit, into which water and debris
rapidly drain. IN
'sThe potter is perched above the
wheel, with one foot on either side,
in order TO allow sufficient space for
the movement of his hands. After
revolving the wheel swiftly with a
short pole, he deity and. with me
chanicaI precision fashions a plate,
bowl or vase. After years of prac-
tice he can estimate to within a hairs
breadth the proper size,
TThe piece is then removed and
placed on a long tray in front Of
the potter where it awaits the next
artisan. Handles and other decor
atipns, made In molds, are added, and
then the whole Is scraped smooth and
allowed to dry until lit is ready for
tho 4ext proeess--the under-glaze dec
or&ttonar -Ale4 ~ Na~ car
tSeveral basic colors, Ilike blue and
req, canahel painted ON under the glaze.
TfeS glaze is next applied in yarIops
ways-by dipping by blowing on With
a atdbe, OF by sgpprihkffng.ss After the
mark has been added the piece is
ready for the furnace"