ing much to set a standard
of perfection of form, choiceness of coloring, and fitness of
design. All these wares are distinct contributions to the art
world. Of course certain wares are made by a modification of this
throwing process. Large pieces, for example, frequently have to be
thrown in several parts, fastened together, and afterward
finished. Some pieces the thrower shapes over a plaster-of-Paris
mould; and some he shapes inside the mould, reversing the process and
pressing the clay against its confining surface. The danger in thrown
ware comes from an uneven pressure on the clay resulting in a lack of
solidity; the pieces are not always equally firm at all points and in
consequence sometimes crack."

"Can pieces of any design be thrown?" inquired Theo.

"No, only round pieces such as cups, mugs, vases, jars, or bowls. In
other words, only circular pieces. Frequently, too, these are only
started by the throwing process and are finished by some other means
such as turning, for example."

"What is turning?" asked Theo.

"Surely you have seen a turning-lathe, Theo," asserted
Mr. Marwood. "Here is a turner just opposite us. You will notice he
has a lathe that goes by steam. The vase on which he is working has
previously been roughly formed on a jigger--a revolving mould over
which a sheet of clay has been pressed and quickly shaped. After such
a piece has been dried to a leather hardness the turner takes it in
its crude and uncompleted state and by running his lathe over it
planes down the surface to a smooth, even thickness. Sometimes, too,
by means of one of these lathes milling-tools are used to cut designs
around the neck or base of the article. The rough edges are then
sponged and before the piece is thoroughly dried handles are put on if
desired. Here in America turning is the process very generally
employed for finishing articles begun by the jiggermen."

"And now about hollow ware--how do they make that?"

"Hollow ware is pressed by hand," answered Mr. Marwood. "The process
is used for pieces that cannot successfully be made by any other
means--such things, for example, as soup-tureens and large covered
dishes. The idea is to press the clay over or into moulds so it will
be the exact shape required. Of course this necessitates the making of
pieces in sections. The two sides of a vase are moulded separately,
for instance; also the bottom. Then the parts are pressed firmly
together and held in place by