498 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



sulphate of alumina in ten parts of water ; then through a 

 soap-bath, prepared by boiling one part of light-colored rosin 

 and one of crystallized carbonate of soda with ten parts of 

 water, until the rosin is dissolved, and separating the rosin 

 soap formed by the addition of one third of common salt, 

 and then dissolving it, together with one part of soda soap, 

 by boiling it in thirty parts of water. From this bath pass 

 the articles finally through water, then dry, and calender. 

 Made-up articles may be brushed with the solutions in suc- 

 cession, and be rinsed in the rain. Wooden vessels may be 

 employed. 5 C, 1874, xiil, 103. 



RENDERING HOSE, FOE FIRE-ENGINES, WATER-TIGHT. 



It is claimed that hemp or cotton hose for fire-engines may 

 be rendered water-tight, without injuring the quality or du- 

 rability, according to a patent of Kremer, of Bavaria, by im- 

 pregnating the hose, every time after use, with a mixture of 

 one hundred parts of chemically pure glycerine and three 

 parts of crystallized carbolic acid, either by drawing the hose 

 through the liquid, or brushing the liquid upon the hose pre- 

 viously cleansed and dried, and laying it aside in this moist 

 condition. The previous drying, after use, is not, however, 

 absolutely necessary. The effect of the slightly acid liquid 

 on any brass fixtures on the hose is practically unnoticeable, 

 but may be prevented, if desirable, by coating them previous- 

 ly with shellac, varnish, or tallow. 6 C\ March 12, 1874, 108. 



BISULPHITE OF SODA FOR COUNTERACTING THE EFFECTS OF 



CHLORINE IN BLEACHING. 



According to Dr. Schuchardt, of Gorlitz, the most decided- 

 ly injurious effect of hyposulphite of soda as an anti-chlorine, 

 and one not fully recognized by many manufacturers (name- 

 ly, the deposition of finely divided sulphur in the fabric, lia- 

 ble to be gradually oxidized to sulphurous or sulphuric acid 

 in the air), may be entirely avoided by the use of bisulphite 

 of soda. This is also preferable to sulphite of soda, employ- 

 ed with good effect by some, because an equal weight brings 

 into play a much larger amount of sulphurous acid, and larg- 

 er amounts of material can therefore be dechlorinated in a 

 given time. Schuchardt is prepared to furnish a pure white, 

 dry salt, containing fifty per cent, sulphurous acid, at a much 



