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THE  MANUFACTURE  OF
SYRACUSE  CHINA

Clay  derives  its  origin  from  several  felds-
pathlc  rocks,  principally  granite,  which,  under
the  influence  of  water  and  weather,  have  been
decomposed  and  collected  in  natural  depres-
sions of  the  soil,  thus  forming  beds  of  varying
thickness.  Clay,  then,  is  decomposed  felds-
par. Owing  to  the  difference  in  the  materials
in  the  original  rocks,  and  the  extent  to  which
decomposition  has  gone,  there  is  the  greatest
variety  In  the  quality  of  the  resulting  clays.
The  selection  of  the  several  kinds  of  clay
and  other  raw  materials  is  the  first  step  of
Importance  in  the  making  of  Syracuse  China,
for  all  Improvements  In  the  quality  of  the
finished  product,  from  earthenware  up,  are  the
result  of  more  careful  selection  of  materials
and  greater  care  in  the  manufacture  of  the
product.  Prolonged  study  and  research  are
necessary  to  determine  the  proportion  of  each
kind  best  suited  for  the  requirements  of  manu-
facture and  the  quality  of  ware  to  be  made.
