Lines. 73 



necessary. After this, wipe it again but lightly; wind it 

 on a chair-back or towel-horse before a hot fire; let it 

 remain for two or three hours, which will cause the mixt- 

 ure on it 'to flow' (as japanners term it), and give an 

 even gloss to the whole. It must then be left to dry as 

 before: the length of time, as it depends on the weather 

 and place, observation must determine upon." 



Personally, the writer has succeeded fairly well with 

 two-thirds boiled linseed-oil and one-third best coach- 

 body varnish mixed together, and warmed till it will 

 singe a feather. To four ounces measure of this mixt- 

 ure about half a teaspoonful of siccative coutrai (to be 

 had at any dealer in artists' materials) may be added, 

 to hasten the drying if you are of an impatient disposi- 

 tion. Otherwise, leave it out, since all dryers impair 

 the result. Soak twice and rub once, having the mixt- 

 ure then warmed to a temperature not exceeding 100 

 Fahr. Finish and polish with paraffine candle as be- 

 fore. 



Boiled-silk braided line only is adapted to these proc- 

 esses. Remember the mixture must in none of them be 

 so warm, when applied to the line, as to be uncomfortable 

 to the touch, otherwise your line will be " rotten " and 

 your experiment a failure. The only object in heating 

 the mixture is that it is thus rendered more fluid, and in 

 this condition is more readily absorbed by the line; but 

 it is an essential step, since otherwise the preparation 

 may not permeate throughout the line, and if it fails to 

 do this at the first soaking, it never will afterwards. 

 On the second application the warmth softens to some 

 extent the preceding dose, and the two amalgamate bet- 

 ter, so to speak. Wind is the potent element in drying 

 mixtures of this kind. Therefore, if possible, expose 



