RERAMIC STUDIO 
245 
At Sevres and elsewhere pieces made from fruit forms are 
cut off below (Fig. 63) so as to give a broad base and avoid 
losses. But in mj^ opinion this solving of the difficultj^ is a 
mistake, the fruit having its interesting and architectinal 
beauty in the attachments of the stem. To suppress this 
attachment bj^ cutting is to destroj^ the main decoratiAC 
quality of the fruit. To this method of securing results I 
prefer the chances of a 50% loss, which allows me to obtain 
imique and splendid ceramics. 
Pieces with large opening such as bowls have a tendency 
to warp on the edges. To counteract this/ the piece is turned 
upside down and it rests on its large opening (Fig. 64) . This 
will make necessary a second firing for the glazing of the edge 
which has been left bare in the first firing. In this second firing, 
the piece having undergone its shrinkage cannot warp any more 
and will rest on its foot (Fig. 65) . 
w/////m/^/m wmmm. 
H-^5- 
I insist on the necessitj^ of washing (co\-ering with infusi- 
ble wash) all the points of contact of pieces with their supports, 
because a porcelain bodj^ when softening and vitrifying at its 
highest point of firing, has a tendency to adhere to the support. 
If the firing is not hard this will not be very noticeable, but if 
there has been a little too much heat all pieces not sufficientlj^ 
washed are stuck, and must be detached with blows of a wooden 
hammer. I have lost some fine pieces for neglecting this de- 
tail in the midst of all the other placing precautions. 
(To be Continued.) 
NEW INDUSTRY FOR THE BLIND 
AN interesting experiment in the industrial education of the 
blind is now being made at Chicago by Mrs. S. S. Frackle- 
ton, theVell-known^originator of the interesting gray and blue 
ware. She has undertaken the task of teaching the art of the 
potter to a blind girl resident of the Industrial Home for the 
Blind, Chicago, and the experiment is being watched wdth the 
hope that it will prove so successful as to furnish a new incen- 
tive for the industrv of the sightless in other institutions. 
AT the last meeting of the Advisory^ Board, the plans were 
definitelj' formulated for the receiraig of the exhibit for 
the Liberal Arts Building, and circulars of instruction have 
accordingly been mailed. 
It was voted that the entire exhibit should be sent to New 
York about April 1st, there to be judged by three judges 
selected b3^ a coimnittee from the League, who will fill out 
blanks as in the previous comparative exhibitions. This does 
not take the place of the work of the Exposition Jurj-, which 
will not act until after the exhibit has been installed in St. Louis. 
The information concerning the exhibit for the Arts Palace 
is still delaj'ed. 
The travelling comparative exhibition has been returned 
to New York, and the various pieces distributed to their owners. 
These exhibitions have called forth many expressions of 
satisfaction as to their usefulness, notwithstanding the draw- 
backs which have occurred. Placards giving the markings 
of the judges were prepared as a valuable adjunct showing in 
what ways they considered the pieces worthy of study. These, 
with the drawings, an important part of the exhibition, dis- 
appeared in the summer and were found too late to be of service. 
One clulj was disappointed entirely, and another, with 
considerable expense and trouble, was obHged to arrange for 
an exhibition twenty-eight days late. 
It has been thought well to mention these facts, in order 
to emphasize the responsibility of all connected with such an 
enterprise, and hovv' each must give the push to the wheel at 
exactly the right moment in order to Iveep the machinerj^ 
moving. 
We learn that a number of clubs have taken up courses 
of study under competent leaders — a sigirificant fact. 
The tri-ennial election will take place in May, when another 
mile stone will be passed in the journeyings of the League 
toward a higher plane of excellence. 
We would like to call the attention of the clubs to this 
election, that they may l^e considering nominations. 
Ida k. Johnson, 
President. 
^ -f 
LIMOGES PORCELAIN 
'T^'HE past 3'ear has Ijeen one of the most successful in the 
1 history of the ceramic art in Limoges. The disposition 
of the output remains practically the same, viz, five-sixths is 
exported to the LInited States. AU shapes, designs, and deco- 
rations are gotten up for the market of the United States; every 
fluctuation or change in that country are carefully noted and felt. 
There is a gradual change taking place in the stjdes of 
decorations — decalcomania, which superseded hand painting 
as a cheap method of decorating some years ago, is yielding by 
degrees to higher and more artistic styles; soft underglaze 
colors are so applied as to produce fine effects. 
Every year shows that Limoges is more and more depen- 
dent upon the American trade, and if American porcelain 
factories were able to supply the domestic trade it is certain 
that the kilns of Limoges would remain unfired. 
