Vol, IX. No. n 
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK 
March, 1908 
OME time ago we asked in our 
editorial columns for an expression 
of the ideas of our subscribers on 
the subject of an added department 
of water colors and oils. If we de- 
cide to issue this new publication, 
which would be uniform with Ker- 
amic Studio in size of page and 
cover, the first number will be 
October, 1908. And, although 
many points are not yet decided, it is very likely that. the 
Crafts Department will be included in the new publication, 
thus leaving more room in Keramic Studio for exclusive 
china and pottery instruction. 
There would be, besides the Crafts, reproductions of 
subjects suitable for execution in oil and water color,. one of 
them given in color as a supplement, all accompanied with 
technical treatments and with instructive articles on water 
color or oil painting,. drawing, etc. 
The subscription price cannot be determined yet, but 
a special price would be made to subscribers who wish to 
have both Keramic Studio and the new publication. 
Any suggestions by our readers in regard to the new 
venture will be welcome. 
A new department is to be added to Keramic Studio. 
We have not quite settled what we shall call it. One of our 
foremost decorators who has great sympathy for the strug- 
gles of beginners and those who must make a living of their 
art, has expressed herself as willing to give us monthly 
helpful talks on any and all subjects which come up in the 
daily routine of ceramic work. All who have vexed ques- 
tions in relation to their work may address them to Ker- 
amic Studio with full assurance that they will be fully and 
sympathetically answered in these talks. Let us hear from 
those who need' help soon, as we expect to begin these talks 
in an early issue. 
We have a number of special features planned for the 
coming year. Among these several will be of special inter- 
est to lovers of flowers. An early issue will be devoted to 
"Wild flowers of Texas," from the brush of Alice Willitts, 
of Cincinnati, a former decorator at the Rookwood pottery. 
These are executed in a semi -naturalistic manner which we 
are sure will please both schools of decorative art. An- 
other number which will be helpful to both naturalistic and 
conventional workers, will be entitled "In a New England 
Garden." This from the brush of Sara Wood Safford, of 
New York. We have other good things in store which we 
will announce later. 
-b 
Casting about for a subject of timely interest, the editor 
appealed to a member of the staff for a helpful suggestion, 
The answer was a jocular allusion to the editor's absorption, 
these past few weeks, in the pages of the plant and seed 
catalogues of various nurserymen. After all, why not? 
Now while the snow covers the ground and the thermo- 
meter wavers between zero and "way below" is by way of 
contrast the season of all seasons when our attention should 
be distracted to the glory that is to be in our gardens, and 
as for suggestions! these catalogues are full of them, flowers, 
whose description brings to our minds forgotten friends, 
or new ones; subjects for design or color suggestions. Why 
have we not thought before what useful material they would 
make. Let us begin alphabetically. 
Anemones, of all kinds, for both Spring and Fall, so 
wonderfully decorative. Antirrhinum (snap-dragon) with 
its tall spikes of magnificent blossoms in every conceivable 
color combination from white through yellow to pink and 
crimson. Aquiligia (Columbine) . white, blue, yellow, pink, 
red and purple. And all these new strains of our old 
familiar friends are so much larger and more varied in color- 
ing than ever before. Aristolochia (Dutchman's Pipe), 
Asters, which grow yearly more like the Japanese chrys- 
anthemums. Here is one seedsman's catalogue with such 
a beautiful picture on its cover that we must surely spend 
our pennies to have this to study. A large branching aster 
with long curled petals twisted in and out and striped in 
such a dainty violet and white effect. 
Bachelor's Button, the real blue Kaiser Wilhelm; 
why do we not use it more? Bellis Perennis, the Eng- 
lish Daisy, that sounds full of possibilities. Calliopsis, yel- 
low and maroon in great variety, we need yellow to reflect 
the sunlight. Campanula, Canterbury Bells, The Blue Bell 
of Scotland and Chinese Bell flower. Blues are so restful 
and the Bell-flower especially so dainty and graceful. Car- 
nations, so many new colors and the ragged edges are so 
attractive. Clematis, especially the fine white paniculata 
is so dainty and refreshing. Cosmos, Cowslip, Cyclamen, 
Dahlia, Digitalis (Foxglove). We must hurry through the 
list or our space will give out. Indeed, we must skip half 
the letters of the alphabet. Gentian, another rare blue. 
Heliotrope, white lilac, and purple. Hollyhock, single and 
double, all shades but blue. Iris, German and Japanese. 
We must surely have these. Larkspur, the most beautiful 
blues of all, and such gorgeous tall spikes. "Love lies 
Bleeding," "Love in the Mist," Marigold, Mignonette, 
Monkshood, Morning Glory, Nasturtium, Nicotina, Oxalis, 
Peonies, Pansy, Phlox, Primrose, Poppy, Roses, Salvia, 
Spirea, Stoksia, Sweet Peas, Verbena, Violet, Zinnia. Dear 
me ! dear me ! no more space and we have not named half 
and there are the Daffy-down-dillies, the Narcissus and 
Tulips, the Hyacinths and Lilies of the Valley that we 
almost overlooked. Who says it is wasting^time to study 
seed catalogues in^mid- winter. It is time [now to start 
our seeds in the house and hot bed to give us material 
for summer delight. All hail to the seedsman's catalogues 
in February. 
¥• «f 
SHOP NOTES 
We have just received a new catalogue of Air Brushes 
and Air Brush materials from F. Weber & Co. The use of 
air brushes and mechanical sprayers by designers, potters, 
etc., is becoming quite general, and this catalogue will un- 
doubtedly be of interest to many of our subscribers. 
