62 THE A B C OF PHOTO - MICROGRAPHY 



" We have had so much trouble caused by inequalities 

 in the film produced by irregularities in the drying that 

 some time ago we gave much attention to the subject, and 

 seeing that now hardly any trouble in that direction arises, 

 we venture to simply state how it may be avoided. The 

 negative is placed, glass side downward, on a cloth and a 

 fine handkerchief is gently and neatly laid over the gelatine 

 side. It is smoothly and firmly pressed with the hand for 

 two or three seconds, which allows the fabric of the hand- 

 kerchief to absorb all the superficial moisture. On raising 

 the handkerchief it will be found that the gelatine shows 

 distinct marks of the fabric. This is not of the slightest 

 consequence, for it absolutely and entirely dries out of all 

 existence. The back must now be carefully washed, one 

 source of trouble arises entirely from drops of moisture 

 accumulating there. ... A ring of slightly melted gel- 

 atine will be the result, which it is needless to say spoils 

 the picture. This is especially the case when the negative 

 is dried on a hot-water tank," etc., etc. 



One cannot refrain from smiling at the 

 thought of a negative treated in the above 

 manner by the majority of our energetic 

 young students. 



When an eyepiece is used in making a nega- 

 tive with low powers, most of the operations 

 are the same as those just described. In 

 accordance, however, with my plan of giving 

 practical illustrations in a variety of cases that 

 may confront my readers, I will now ask them 

 to assist in a little more low power work. For 



