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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY, 



ready for the process of gathering. The impurities floating on 

 the surface of the " metal " are first removed by skimming, much 

 as the housewife does with her preserves. When the crucible was 

 originally put into the furnace a fire-clay ring was placed in the 

 bottom of it, and now floats on the bath. By removing all the 

 scum from the interior of this ring the gatherer always has a 

 clear surface from which to draw. The blow-pipe which he uses 

 is simply a wrought-iron pipe about five feet long. It is provided 

 at one end with a mouth-piece and wooden handle ; the other end 

 is thickened and somewhat flared, after the manner of a trumpet. 

 This is dipped into the molten metal, and when withdrawn brings 



Ckown Glass in Decorative Work. 



with it a small lump of glass. By a dexterous turn of the pipe 

 this plastic mass is formed into the shape of a symmetrical oval. 

 The dipping process.is several times repeated until a considerable 

 mass of glass adheres to the end of the pipe. When window glass 

 of double thickness is to be made, at least four or five gatherings 

 are necessary. It is at the final dip that the gatherer's greatest 

 skill is called into requisition. It is a pleasure to watch him as 

 he seemingly toys with his blow-pipe. But each little movement 

 is done with a purpose. The mass of glass on the end of his pipe 

 is the result of successive gatherings, and must now be brought 

 into a state of perfect homogeneity. To accomplish this, the last 

 glass added is made to completely overlap the whole mass. The 

 ball is then brought almost to a liquid condition, and seems ready 

 to fall from the pipe. In less skillful hands, it would certainly 

 come to grief. By a quick turn of the implement, however, the 



