424 THE FARMER'S AND 



SUBSTITUTE FOR SIZE. 



A veiy good substitute for size can be prepared from 

 potatoes. Make starch from the potatoes in the usual 

 manner, mix the whiting and water to the proper consist- 

 ence, and add the starch. This has the advantage of 

 being wholly without smell, and is also beautifully 

 white. It forms an excellent material for whitening ceil- 

 ings. It may be observed that, as whiting is only washed 

 chalk, the latter, pounded very fine, may be made shift 

 with, when whiting cannot be procured. 



MILK PAINT. 



A paint has been used in Europe with success, made 

 from milk and lime, that dries quicker than oil paint, and 

 has no smell. It is made in the following manner : Take 

 fresh curds, and bruise the lumps on a grinding-stone, or 

 in an earthen pan, or mortar, with a spatula or strong spoon. 

 Then put them into a pot with an equal quantity of lime, 

 well slacked with water, to make it just thick enough to 

 be kneaded. Stir this mixture without adding more water, 

 and a white-colored fluid will soon be obtained, which will 

 serve as a paint. It may be laid on with a brush with as 

 much ease as varnish, and it dries very speedily. It must 

 however be used the same day it is made, for if kept till 

 next day it will be too thick : consequently no more must 

 be mixed up atone time than can be laid on in a day. If 

 any color be required, any of the ochres, as yellow ochre, 

 or red ochre, or umber, may be mixed with it in any pro- 

 portion. Prussian blue would be changed by the lime. 

 Two coats of this paint will be sufficient, and when quite 

 dry, it may be polished with a piece of woollen cloth, or 

 similar substance, and it will become as bright as varnish. 

 It will only do for inside work ; but it will last longer if 

 varnished over with white of egg after it has been polished. 



