The Lehi sun. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1913-1949, 1922-03-23
Chinese Potter at His Wheel.

prepared by the National Geographic So
cIety. Washington. ID. CO
Tie greatest Industrial city OF CHINA
Is Ching-teh-chen, u place which per
haps not one American In a hundred
has heard OF. But when 1t Is added
that this Out-Of.the-way place, 300
miles inland and without rail cOnnec'
lions, Is the original home Of the porce-
lain Industry OF the world and still the
great Chinese center Of the industry
the town takes ON certain slgnif-
canoe.
There are few cities In America or
Europe that are so completely given
over to a single industry as this one,
Though the methods of production nre
primitive, the city must stlll he classed
as an Industrial center. II is rare
privilege to visit this conservative but
interesting old place and see with ones
own eyes the fascinating process Of
pottery making from beginning to end
Chlnaware What does the word
connote2 Simply ware made Of clay
and named for the country that first
produced II. Whether II be green
tile from temple roof. dish. n vase
or a painted ornament from n wealthy
celestial's home, Il all has traceable
connection with Chlng-teh-chen. with
the Chinese, Chlngteh-chen and por-
celain are synonymous.
In order to get fair understanding
Of the situation, 1t will first be neces-
sary to let the reader know the 10
cation Of this place and something OF
the difficulties In reaching II.
After locating Shanghai on the mar
of China, one should trace his way up
the Yangtze river to Kiuklang, south
OF which lies Pc Yang lake. The quick.
est and surest way of reaching Ching
teh-chen Is to proceed from Kiuklang
TO Nanchang, the capital OF the prov.
ince, by rail. This trip can be made
In day, barring accidents, though the
distance In only 90 miles. In prospect
II does not seem difficult task to
cover the distance between Nanchanp
and Chlng-teli.chen. 100 miles, but In
reality the trip requires more time
than II takes to travel from San Fran.
cisco to New York. One must cross
the east end Of 70 Yang lake and then
push his way up the North river into
the heart Of the mountains. to point
not far from the Anhwei border.
'Town Of Scenic Virtue"
Tie first view OF Chlng-teh-cher
from an approaching boat, with the
smoke issuing from the chImneys OF
scores ~ kllns, Is an amazing one
The city Is located between the mouths
OF two rivers which flow into the NORTH
river, one from the east and one from
the west. The town is naturally sup
piled with an abundance OF fresh wa
ter, the clearness OF which stands out
In vivid contrast to the muddy yellow
ness OF the Yangtze and OF 20 Vans
lake.
Beautiful hills completely surround
the city. those on the east rising to q
height OF about two thousand feet
The river banks are dotted with pine
ana camphOr trees, while occasional
groves OF bamboo In lighter green add
charm and beauty difficult to de
scribe.
Chlng'teh-chen ("Town Of Scent,
Virtue'O Is one OF the four largest
towns Gas distinguished from cities,
or China. Technically, 1t is a town
because II has no wall. In reaIity n
Is busy Industrial city Of 3OOOOC
people, two-thirds OF whom are en-
gagged In the manufacture and sale o.
porcelain. Economically. II Is n cit,
TO stir mems souls. LongfeIlOw. In his
! "keramos,' speaks Of II. Historical
ly, It dates back to the Han dynasty
20 A. d. during which period we fint
me hrst records OF the production o.
porcelain In China. though earthen
ware vessels were probably producet
some centuries earlier.
Two main streets, about three mile,
long ana conforming to the contour oi
the river. comprise the princlp.I
thoroughfares.
The city Is about a mile wide Fur
naces' warehouses, shops, ana home,
are crowded together In hopeless,
tangle. Great mounds Of Clipped nnc
defective porcelalu, clay chlps and
broken dishes are piled high along IN,
river bank In fact. one first notice,
These pieces Of porcelain In the he'd q
the stream several miles below IN,
city washed down by high water
These dumps m'.'t ne 30 or 40 fee
timex. They represent the accumu
ieted "ncasi.ngs Of the kl,ns for cen
turtles rhere are now between Is.