CLAY WORKING INDUSTRIES. 87 



The compounds are mixed and molded into pyramids about $ of 

 an inch on each side of the base and one to two inches high. When the 

 melting point of each one of these is reached it indicates it by drooping 

 over to one side and gradually fusing. 



This system is ingenious and to potters who are in p'ossession of all 

 the materials* and machinery for making the mixtures, as well as the 

 knowledge of the principles of fluxing involved, it is possible that this 

 idea may be useful; but for the clay worker in the commoner forms, it is not 

 likely to find any extended field of usefulness. In fact, the variations 

 of the clays used in all manufacturing processes are liable to be so con- 

 stant and so great that it seems doubtful if the pyrometer will ever find 

 any very important field of usefulness. As an instrument of control in 

 the hands of those in charge it is certainly valuable now. As a means of 

 regulating the process and finishing it at the right time it is not likely to 

 ever become highly useful. 



The usefulness of chemical work to the clay worker has often been 

 •questioned and in the pottery industries of the country, which are really 

 a chemical industry, based on chemical laws and principles, it is astonish- 

 ing to find so little use of the literature of science. Whatever has been 

 accomplished in these lines has been by the crudest kind of experiment 

 and by personal transfer of knowledge from one to another Nearly all 

 the radical steps or changes have been introduced here from Europe, 

 where much more has been accomplished by way of chemical control of • 

 the process. 



It is doubtful if there are many clay working establishments in the 

 country now that are really able to utilize the services of a competent 

 chemist. What is much more needed and more directly beneficial to these 

 great industries is that the young men growing up in the business should 

 be sent to the best technical schools available for special courses on the 

 chemistry and technology of the subject. The State University provides 

 free instruction for the young miners of the state by the establishment of a 

 short mining course which is designed to teach what will be most directly 

 useful to them. Why should not the other industries of the state receive 

 similar recognition ? 



Many works that are not now able to employ or even to use a chem- 

 ist would be infinitely benefited if they were managed by a man who had 

 had the benefit of this scientific and chemical training in addition to the 

 practice of the shop, and it seems that in this way ■ only will the use of 

 science be brought to bear on the problems of clay working. 



SECTION II. 



The Present Condition of the Clay Working Industries op 



the State. 



The healthy and vigorous condition of the clay working industries 

 of the state has been alluded to before, and it is because their present 



