Alloa.
Alloa Pottery.—These works were established in 1790 by Mr. James Anderson, and were afterwards carried on by Mr. William Gardner; in 1855 they passed by purchase into the hands of the present proprietors, Messrs. W. & J. Bailey. At first the works, under Mr. Anderson, produced common brownware pans and crocks, and by Mr. Gardner the addition was made of Rockingham ware tea-pots. By the present firm this branch of manufacture has been considerably improved, and so greatly extended that at the time I write, I am informed, no less than twenty-six thousand tea-pots can be produced by them per week. Majolica and jet ware goods are also largely made and are of good quality, and a speciality of the firm is its artistic engraving of ferns and other decorations of the finer qualities of tea-pots, jugs, &c. The productions of the Alloa Pottery, besides a home trade, are exported in large quantities to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, France, America, &c., and medals have been awarded to them at the Paris and Philadelphia Exhibitions. The excellent quality of the Alloa goods “arises from the nature of the clay got in the neighbourhood,” and the density of colour and softness to touch of the glaze are highly commendable.