Britain at Work
A Pictorial Description of Our National Industries

74 BRITAIN AT WORK. of plates and cups. Simple yet rapid is the process here carried on. The clay so readily assumes the finished shape that the eye can hardly follow the action. Some of the machines used work automatically, the work- men being only required to place the ball of clay upon the revolving table of the machine, which in a few seconds smooths and flattens it into a pancake-like piece. When this pro- cess has completed itself, the workman deftly lifts the cake of clay upon a revolving mould, which is shaped in the form of the inside of the plate. Slightly moistening the surface, he sets the machine in motion. This brings down upon the outer surface of the clay a tool which removes all superfluous substance. In the course of a few seconds the tool rises again automatically, leaving the finished clay for the decoration of most earthenware in MAKING PLATES AND SAUCERS AT THE BRITANNIA POTTERY, GLASGOW. plate upside clown upon the mould. Both together are lifted out of the revolving cup which has held them firm, and transferred into the outer room until the moisture is removed. When thoroughly dried and examined, the ware is taken to the “Placing room,” where it is packed into large, oval, fire-clay boxes, termed “ saggars.” These protect the surface from dust and scorching during the firing As soon as each saggar is filled it is borne away to the oven. Eighteen or twenty are piled on each other in columns or “ bungs ” as closely as possible till the whole interior is filled, and, after the entrance is bricked up, the fire is started. When again cooled, the oven is opened and the saggars removed to the “ Biscuit warehouse.” Seated amidst piles of ware of bewildering variety are a number of women dressed in white overalls and head-gear, who rapidly examine and clust each piece, clinking them noisily against each other to detect any which are cracked, stantly remove them the “Printing shop.” Designs engraved Other assistants con- in sets, as required, to on copper plates serve this stage. The colour, moistened with oil, is spread over the hot copper ; then with a knife and a rubber all is removed except that retained in the engraved lines. Laying a moist sheet of tissue paper on the engraving, the printer runs it through the roller-press. This transfers the design to the paper, which is now handed to the transferrer. Quickly, with a huge pair of dressmaker’s scissors, she snips away the superfluous paper, fitting the design to its place on the piece of ware, and with the butt encl of a long roll or pad of flannel vigorously rubs the paper on to its position. Plunging