Method for making float glass having reduced defect density

1. A method for reducing the defect density of glass produced via a float glass process comprising:

a. melting a glass composition consisting essentially of:

from 65–75 wt. % of SiO 2 ;

from 10–20 wt. % of Na 2 O;

from 5–15 wt. % of CaO;

from 0–5 wt. % of MgO;

from 0–5 wt. % of Al 2 O 3 ;

from 0–5 wt. % of K 2 O;

from 0–2 wt. % Fe 2 O 3 ;

from 0–2 wt. % FeO;

from 0.0 to 2.0 wt. % TiO 2 ; and

from 0.0 to 2.0 wt. % neodymium,

wherein the glass composition has a total field strength index of greater than or equal to 1.23.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein melting the glass composition yields a glass melt having a water content of at least 0.035 weight percent based on the total weight percent of the composition.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the glass produced has a defect density of less than 10 total defects per 100 square feet.