Economical Ways of Using Cement with Decorative Effect 
difficult to find more pathetic examples of bad taste 
than are shown in some instances. On the other 
hand, manufacturers and artists of good taste are 
doing beautiful work. Those engaged in the in¬ 
dustry may be divided into three classes. 
First: The artist whose work bears the impress of 
individuality and hand labor, both in the production 
of original designs or reproductions made from 
plaster moulds taken from the stone and marble 
masterpieces of the old world. 
Second: There is what might be termed the 
“commercial” plant, which does business on a large 
scale. In these establishments really competent 
artists are employed, but as the business depends 
upon large sales it is essential to produce many 
Fig. 2. Column of Byzantine pattern in original unplastered 
concrete, supporting heavy ceilings. Capital ornamented 
with colored tiles, glazed and unglazed, flat and in relief. 
Colors: yellow, green, blue, gray, red, white and buflf 
Fig. 3. Concrete column in original rough state, decorated 
with a capital set in the concrete consisting of flat tiles, 
glazed and unglazed. Colors: green, red, brown, yellow, 
blue and buflF. The lower band of tiles has been inserted 
in a groove chiseled in the finished column 
duplicates. This results in the same monotony of 
design found in terra-cotta and ornamental metal 
work. Where special designs are made the prices 
are very high. 
Third: There is the man who has mastered the 
mechanical principles involved in cement work, but 
whose taste is execrable. 
When one of moderate means seeks to procure 
concrete garden ornaments he finds that the artist 
must charge well for his wares owing to the time and 
labor spent upon it and that the expenses of conduct¬ 
ing a large commercial plant also increase cost. He 
does not want the wares of the third party. 
Therefore, it is the purpose of this article to sug¬ 
gest ways and means of procuring a few simple and 
inexpensive structural forms in concrete, which may 
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