3 THE A B C OF PHOTO - MICROGRAPHY 



which will be promptly dissolved. Paint backs of plates 

 with this solution, using a flat earners hair brush. It will 

 be nearly colorless in a red light, and care should be 

 taken not to expose the plate to unnecessary light, no 

 matter how safe this is supposed to be. Wipe off the 

 coating with a wad of wet cotton wool before develop- 

 ment, and rinse the whole plate carefully in a tray of clean 

 water. 



An original method of backing plates, 

 worked out some years ago, has given me 

 such uniformly good results that I no longer 

 hesitate to make it known. Others may pos- 

 sibly have used the same means ; if so, I have 

 not heard of it. The method is extremely 

 simple. Procure some sheets of thin, dead, 

 black paper, and have them cut into pieces 

 slightly smaller than the plate. Do the same 

 with an ordinary sheet of white blotting 

 board. For use, dampen the blotter, and lay 

 the black paper in a tray of water for a mo- 

 ment, taking care that it becomes wet through 

 on both sides, leaving no air bells on the sur- 

 face. All this may be done of course in full 

 light, the balance in that of the dark-room. 

 Taking a plate from its box, hold in the left 

 hand, back upward, and not too near the lan- 

 tern, no matter how safe its light is thought 

 to be. Then, with the right hand, lift the 

 wet paper from the tray, drain off superfluous 



