ON DYEING FURS AND FEATHERS. 25 



should be again washed in clean cold water, 

 unless you are going to dye them blue. 



To dye the feathers or fur, put a small quantity 

 of the dye into a basin. It is impossible to state 

 the exact quantity, but it is better to err on the 

 safe side, so put in at first a few grains only ; 

 more can be added afterwards if necessary. Now 

 pour boiling water over the dye, stir until dis- 

 solved, add the feathers or fur, and keep up the 

 heat by placing the bowl in a saucepan containing 

 water, on the fire, for a few minutes, stirring 

 continually. 



A small pair of scales, which will weigh grains 

 and half grains, is very useful for measuring out 

 the dyes. A record should be kept of the exact 

 quantity used, both of water and dye, and the 

 same written on the packet in which the feathers 

 are afterwards kept, so that at any time the same 

 shade can be obtained without any trouble. Ne- 

 glect of this means endless waste of time and 

 materials. Some colours, blues and reds espe- 

 cially, strike better if a little acid is added to the 

 dye bath. I use vinegar, or sulphuric acid, about 

 a teaspoonful to a quart of water. It should be 

 added after the feathers have been in the dye bath 

 a few minutes ; stir well while you add it. When 

 thoroughly dyed, take out the feathers or fur and 

 wash them in hot alum and water, or toilet-soap 

 and water. Finally, rinse in cold water. 



Many people boil or simmer their feathers, etc., 



