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Bassett, Sara Ware, 1872-1968

"The Story of Porcelain"

"
"Bully for us!" cried Theo.
"So I say!" rejoined Mrs. Croyden with spirit.
"It was the only thing to do," admitted Mr. Croyden. "We kept at it,
too. In 1829 a factory was opened in Jersey City which although not a
success was the forerunner of New Jersey china-making. The industry
was also taken up in Bennington, Vermont, where the first Parian
marble statues ever made in America were produced. Baltimore was the
next city to adopt the china trade, and afterward Trenton. Most of
this output was thick white graniteware, Rockingham, and stoneware;
some of it was decorated, but most of it was plain white. It was
useful and durable, but very clumsy and heavy. Subsequently the china
industry localized itself until now, while there are many factories
scattered through the country, New Jersey supplies about twenty-four
per cent. of our china, and Ohio forty-two."
"How did those States happen to elect themselves to make so much
china?" inquired Theo.
"Deposits of clay originally governed the matter," replied
Mr. Croyden. "Then there was convenient transportation for goods, a
sufficient fuel supply, and an abundance of labor in the vicinity--all
elements in deciding where factories are to be established.


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