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THE FARMERS HANDBOOK. 



Brazing. 



Brazing is done with granulated spelter and borax, spread over the surface 

 of the joint, and exposed to a clean open fire. The joint to be made must 

 be well cleaned and otherwise prepared previous to heating. 



The following table shows mixtures for different solders and brazings to 

 be used for the purposes mentioned : — 



PAINTING.* 



The object of painting is to preserve the more perishable parts of a struc- 

 ture from the effects of the weather ; and, properly speaking, all woodwork to 

 be painted should be thoroughly seasoned, otherwise the paint, by confining 

 the sap and moisture, only hastens decay. New work usually receives ihvez 

 coats, the first or priming coat and two more, and each coat should incline 

 towards the required finished shade or tint of colour. 



The selection of colours is a matter that requires some experience if the 

 blending is to be agreeable with the surroundings. Generally, the wish of 

 the owner of the house is consulted; but after a little argument it is usual 

 to find that the painter's suggestions are taken and acted upon. 



For outside work on weatherboard cottages, it is now very fashionable to 

 paint the walls in red, terra cotta, or green, with the windows and other 

 parts picked out in either white or buff. Doors may be dark greens or in 

 browns. 



It must always be borne in mind that when two . different colours are 

 placed side by side they must be of a very different shade, one being light 

 and the other dark. Stone colours are much used, one reason being because 

 they are more easily mixed by an amateur than greens, tgreys, or bull's. 

 The durability of the various colours, or rather the materials used to pro- 

 duce them, varies less than is generally supposed. All colours fade some- 

 what, and the darker colours, such as olive or sage-green, show the effect 

 of fading more plainly than most others. These will stand better if put 

 on over a coat of red — that is, white lead covered with Venetian or Indian 

 red, and yellow ochre. Yellows bleach out by exposure, and browns take on 

 an ashy appearance. 



A. Brooks. Works Overseer, Department of Agriculture. 



