Vol. Vlll[ No. i 
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK 
May, J906 
HE June Rose Competition closed 
April 15th. The prize designs 
will be given in the June Ker- 
amic Studio. The next compe- 
tition will be the Christmas com- 
petition closing October 1st in 
order to give time for making a 
special Christmas supplement 
and holiday number. It has 
been thought best to discontinue 
the summer competitions as decorators are all too busy 
resting or gathering material to send in their best efforts. 
The subjects for the Christmas Competition are as 
follows — we are giving plenty of time to be sure of results 
surpassing any former efforts. 
I. Decoration for child's [room, dado, fireplace and 
wash stand top in tiles, washing set to match. (Shapes 
of ceramic forms to be considered.) 
To be executed in black and white wash with a section 
in color. Enough tiles only need be given to carry the 
design, a small sketch in pen and ink showing the com- 
pleted effect. 
First prize, $25.00, Second prize $15.00. 
II. Decorative study of Christmas Rose in three to five 
colors, panel 8x10, with conventionalized application to 
punch bowl and cup, claret pitcher, and stein, in black and 
white wash accompanied by a color scheme. (Shapes of 
ceramic forms to be considered.) 
First prize $25.00, Second prize $15.00. 
Child's table set — Tray, bowl, plate and pitcher, con- 
ventionalized design in black and white wash with a sec- 
tion in color, (Shapes of ceramic forms to be considered.) 
First prize $25.00, Second prize $15.00. 
We will be glad to publish any notices of ceramic or 
arts and crafts exhibitions to be held, if sent in time; or 
any after notices with or without illustrations, reserving 
only the right to cut where necessary to occupy space. 
It has been suggested that it would be interesting to 
our readers to give occasionally the larger part of an en- 
tire number to the illustrating of the work of some prom- 
inent ceramic decorator. We have decided to try this 
every third month. The initial number July will be devoted 
to the work of Mrs. Sara Wood Safford of'New York. The 
second number, October, will illustrate the art of Miss 
Mabel Dibble of Chicago, the other artists will be announced 
later, with their months. 
■*■ 
Want of space prevents us from publishing the usual 
"Answers to Inquiries" and 'Answers to Correspondents," 
in this issue. 
Mr. F. B. Aulich, of Chicago, has been on an extended 
trip to California which has proved not only very pleasant 
but also very profitable. 
We are pleased to announce that Miss Maud Mason 
will be the next president of the New York Society of 
Keramic Arts. 
THE CLASS ROOM 
Articles must be submitted by 5th of May for June 
competition. In order to fill up chinks in the Class Room 
instruction before going on to new subjects, the follow- 
ing subjects will be given: 
Ground laying (Grounding, Tinting, Dusting, both in 
bright and mat colors, and backgrounds for flowers, etc.) 
Raised paste and etching for gold work (includes 
causes of defective work with remedies.) 
000 
FIRING 
Third Prize, Ella L. Adams, Yellow Springs, Ohio. 
I HAVE had 'a limited experience with gas, gasoline, 
* oil and charcoal kilns and found that satisfactory result 
could be secured with all. The only objection to gas is 
the fact that often sufficient pressure is lacking for a good 
strong flame. 
Decide upon the kiln you purchase not from allur- 
ing notices but from talk with people who have tried 
certain kilns and found them not wanting. 
See that your kiln is set up properly, so that the ven- 
tilation of the fire pot is good and make sure that your 
pipe is high enough to secure a good draught to carry 
away all gases and smoke from the oils and paints. 
Almost all firers heat their kilns a few minutes before 
stacking and then turn them off. This is to make sure 
there is no dampness in the kiln, which would be liable 
to spot the china. While the kiln is cooling from this 
preliminary heating is a good time to carefully examine 
your china, to make sure there are no paint spots from 
fingers or brushes. Place your stilts, platten sheets and 
asbestos sheets where they are easy of access, for all these 
may be needed as the stacking develops. 
Now is the time to decide just where you intend plac- 
ing the various pieces so that there will be no waste of time 
and patience in stacking and unstacking through indecis- 
ion. 
A good rule to follow is to give a hard firing after 
the first painting, for, when a good glaze is secured, the 
other paintings are simplified. The hottest part of the 
kiln is the bottom, so stack your "first firing" china here. 
China is not injured if it touches the kiln, provided 
that two sides do not touch it, for, since china expands 
in the firing, allowance must be made for this. 
China pieces should not touch each other for two 
reasons; they are apt to stick together when the glaze 
softens, and they need spaces for the hot air to circulate. 
Cups may be stacked inside each other with stilts 
between, or on some larger piece. Is there a tankard or 
large pitcher for the first firing? Do not fail to set it on 
a stilt to prevent its breaking in firing, for, unless so placed, 
large pieces, being apt to heat sooner at the bottom than 
at the top, may develop an annoying crack. A punch 
bowl for the first firing should be placed on stilts top down. 
This does not waste space in the kiln, for smaller pieces 
may be placed under the bowl, making sure of course that 
they do not touch each other. The inside of a pitcher, 
salad bowl or some other piece of similar shape may be 
