70 MODERN BLACKSMITHING 



remarkably well with his great compound, which he 

 kept in a jug and only used when anything like granite 

 tools were to be hardened. The reason why he suc- 

 ceeded so well was because of his ignorance concerning 

 his compound, not because it was not good enough. I 

 hold that it is one of the best compounds, in fact, the 

 best he could get. People in general like to be hum- 

 bugged. If they only get something new or something 

 they don't know anything about, then they think it 

 wonderful. 



Salt and water should be called salt and water, and 

 be just as much valued. Let us " call a spade a spade, ' ' 

 the spade will not be more useful by another name, 

 nor will it be less useful by calling it by its proper 

 name. 



