MECHAJS'ICAL. 'm 



"Five buildings and considerable fence upo:i the Iowa Agr^^uiturai 

 College Farm, have been painted with this preparation, Upon some of them 

 it has been one year, and thus far it has appeared to be fully equal to more ex- 

 pensive paints, in body, durability and in retention of color. It is especially 

 adapted to cheap outbuildings, covered with rough boards. If 25 lbs. of white 

 lead be added to each 100 lbs. of mineral paint, the mixture answers a very 

 excellent purpose for tenement houses. [I see another writer claims that 1 lb. 

 of lead to 4 lbs. of mineral paint, is suiHcient.] Many experienced painters 

 have examined the buildings covered with this paint, and aflarmed that it made 

 a better covering than pure lead and oil. This is doubtless an extreme view. 

 It may, however, fairly be considered as a reliable paint for protectioa of the 

 fences and cheaper farm buildings." 



2. Black Paint— How to Make for Iron Fences, Balustrades, 

 Farm, Implements, Etc.— Coal-tar, 2 qts. ; benzine, or benzole, 1 pt., or a 

 little more, to thin it, to lay on nicely with a brush. As the benzine is very 

 evaporative, make no more than is to be used at the time. — IndustriaZ Monthly. 



Remarks. — This is claimed to be more durable than oil and lamp-black 

 paints, even where that was varnished, having been in use three years wher 

 the report was made. 



3. Paint for Floors.— A writer claims there " is but one paint suitable 

 for floors, and this is French ochre. And, 1st, if the boards have shrunk^ 

 clean out the cracks, and, with a small brush, give them a heavy coat of ooiled 

 linseed oil, then putty them solid and smooth. 2d. Paint the whole floor 

 with a mixture of much boiled oil and little ochre for the first coat; then after 

 it is well dried, give two more coats of much ochre and little oil ; and finally 

 finish with a coat of first-rate copal varnislu It is extremely durable for floors, 

 windows, or outside, such as verandas, porticoes and the like, A floor stain, 

 he continues, is best mixed in oil, and finally varnished," 



Remarks. — If " a floor stain is best mixed in oil and varnished," take the 

 following; 



4. Floor Stain.— "Bcaled linseed <A\, 1 gal.; 5 cts. worth, or 2 heap- 

 ing table-spoonfuls of burnt umber; heat the oil hot in an iron kettle — soap 

 will clean it easily — then stir in the finely powdered umber, and with an old 

 paint brush apply it as hot as you can; then, says a lady in the Blade, fareweD 

 scrubbing. A mop, wrung out of warm water, will clean it nicely." 



Remarks. — This amount was given for a floor of 14 to 16 feet square; but 

 it is about twice as miich as needed if only one coat is to be given. The fol. 

 lowing receipt may be liked better, as it has spirits of turpentine in it, which 

 causes it to penetrate the wood more de^ly; and it has some "dryer "also, 

 which makes it dry quicker than without it. It was givMS ia the Detroit Posi 

 and Tribune, coming from a painter, as follows. 



6. Stain Black Walnut for a Pine Floor, light Shadai— " Poi 

 an ordinary sized room, bwled oil and spirit? of turpentine, each 1 qt ; drye?, 

 1 gill (4 ozs.); burnt umber, i^ lb. Mix thoroughly and thin, or your floo» 



