202 PEACTICAL PHOTO-MICROGRAPHY 



the side of the bench. On the lower end of the long strip 

 fasten a fairly heavy weight either a piece of iron or lead 

 weighing at least seven pounds, and let this be in such a position 

 that it hangs on the inside away from the worker, and as nearly 

 as possible under the centre of gravity of the piece of wood 

 supported on the screw-heads. The weight will now keep the 

 dish-support horizontal, and a swinging motion imparted to 

 it will continue to rock any dish which is placed on it for a 

 considerable period. The motion being that of a pendulum, 

 the rocking period maybe varied as required by altering the 

 distance between the table carrying the dish and the weight 

 at its lower end. A modification of this appliance is now on the 

 market, and may be obtained from any photographic dealer 

 for a few shillings. 



The size of a dark-room is not a matter of great moment, 

 although it should be as airy and lofty as possible, and efficient 

 means should be provided for keeping it ventilated. It should 

 be fitted with a deep sink, preferably of porcelain or lead-lined, 

 and at its right-hand side a bench may be erected on which 

 development or printing processes may be carried out. This 

 bench should be covered with thick glass or lead, or alternatively 

 may be painted so that it can be washed down into the sink and 

 thus kept perfectly clean. Shelves should be placed for the 

 various bottles containing developing and other solutions, and 

 these should be quite close at hand. A position should be 

 apportioned for each bottle, so that the worker who is conversant 

 with the arrangements in the room can find any solution he 

 wants in the dark with absolute certainty. It is a good plan 

 also to have the bottles for solutions of varying sizes and shapes, 

 so that after a time the worker becomes intimate with each 

 one without reference to the label. There is thus less liability 

 of using the wrong solution when the conditions are such that 

 the labels on the bottles cannot be clearly seen. 



It is all but useless to affix ordinary gum labels to bottles 

 containing photographic solutions, as the constant use causes 

 them to become quickly detached ; it is perhaps better with 

 developing solutions to paint on the bottle a number with 

 some enamel paint, and to have affixed to the wall of the room 

 a sheet of paper on which is set out the various solutions in 

 their order, with their corresponding numbers. 



