DYEING, BLEACHING, ETC. 53 



of the bleaching will appear. The solution does 

 not keep, so it should be mixed freshly before 

 use. Even the peroxide of hydrogen unmixed 

 with ammonia is apt to lose its bleaching pro- 

 perties to become plain water, in fact from too 

 much exposure. The solution of peroxide of 

 hydrogen in ether is said to be much more stable, 

 but I have not any experience of it. 



A large glass-stoppered bottle is a convenient 

 vessel in which to use the bleaching fluid. The 

 ammonia fumes have a very potent effect on the 

 eyes and nostrils, so it is well to keep them 

 within bounds. 



Sulphurous acid (not sulphuric) is another 

 bleaching fluid especially good for straw, and 

 used by manufacturers both for it and feathers. 

 It is a saturated solution of sulphurous acid gas 

 in water, and obtainable from all chemists. The 

 straw or other material is simply steeped in it till 

 bleached to the degree required. Bright gimp, 

 immersed in the same fluid, may be dulled as 

 much as may be desired, without damage to its 

 floss silk core. 



The next recipe on my list is one for a liquid 

 and transparent wax. It is of my own invention, 

 and I believe it to be the simplest in existence. 

 I leave my readers to judge for themselves 

 whether it is not also the best. In the matter of 

 wax every fly dresser appears to be something of 

 a faddist, and, from what I have written, it may 

 be inferred that I do not claim to be an exception. 

 My recipe is as follows : 



Melt together in a jam pot, or other vessel, im- 

 mersed in boiling water (and safeguarded from 

 cracking in the manner I have already described), 

 some of the best and purest white or amber resin 

 with about the same volume of turpentine. Voila 

 tout ! The wax is made. It should not be poured 

 into water, or pulled about with the hands, as is. 



