m THIS noTJSSiroL^. 



ammoniac, three-sixths parts; quick-lime, one-eighth part; tartar of conl" 

 merce, nine parts, are mixed as follows: The copper is melted first, and the 

 magnesia, sal-ammoniac, lime and tartar are then added separately, and by 

 degrees, in the form of powder; the whole is now briskly stirred for about 

 half an lioiir, so as to mix thoroughly; and then the zinc is added in small 

 grains by throwing it on the surface, and stirring until it is entirely fused; 

 the crucible is then covered, and the fusion maintained for about thirty-five 

 minutes. The surface is then skimmed, and the alloy is ready for casting. 

 It has a fine grain, is malleable, and takes a splendid polish. It does not 

 corrode readily, and for many purposes is an excellent substitute for gold. 

 When tarnished, its brilliancy can bo restored by a little acidulated water. 

 If tin be employed instead of zinc, the alloy will be more brilUant. 



To Dye Peatliers. — Black. — Immerse for two or three days in a bath, at 

 first hot, of logwood, eight parts, and copperas or acetate of iron, one part. 



Blue. — With the indigo vat. 



Brown. — By using any of the brown dyes for silk or woolen. 



Orimson. — A mordant of alum, followed by a hot bath of Brazil wood, 

 afterwards by a weak dye of cudbear. 



Pink or Bose. — With saf-flower, or lemon juice. 



Flnm. — ^With the red dye, followed by an alkaline bath. 



Red. — A mordant of alum, followed by a batli of Brazil-wood. 



Yellow. — A mordant of alum, followed by a bath of turmeric or weld. 



Green. — Take of verdigris and verditer, of each one ounce; gum water, 

 one pint; mix them well and dip the feathers (they having been first soaked 

 in hot water) into the said mixture. 



I'arple. — Use lake and indigo. 



Carnation. — Vermilion and smalt. Thin gum or starch water should be 

 used in dyeing feathers. 



To Wash and Curl Feailier^. — Wash in warm soap-suds and rinse in 

 water a very little blued, if the feather is white, then let the wind dry it. 

 When the curl has come oiit by washing the feather or getting it damp, place 

 a hot flat-iron so that you can hold the feather just above it wliile curling. 

 Take a bone or silver knife and draw the fibers of the feather between the 

 thumb and the dull edge of the knife, taking^ not more than three fibers at 

 a time, beginning at the point of the feather and curling one-half the other 

 way. The hot iron makes the curl more durable. After a little practice, 

 one can make them look as well as new feathers. When swans' down bo-, 

 comes soiled it can be washed and look as well as new. Tack strips on a 

 piece of muslin and wash in warm water with white soap, then rinse and 

 hang in the wind to dry. Eip from the muslin and rub carefully between 

 the fingers to soften the leather. 



To Clean Furs. — For dark furs: warm a quantity of new bran in a pan, 

 taking care that it does not bum, to prevent which it must be briskly stirred. 

 When well warmed, rub it thoroughly into the fur with the hand, llepcat 

 this two or three times, then shake the fur, and give it another sharp brush- 

 ing until free from dust. For white furs: lay them on a table, and rub well 

 with bran made moist with warm water; rub until quite dry, and afterward 

 with dry bran. The wet bran should be put on with flannel, then dry with 

 book muslin. Light furs, in addition to the above, should bo well rubbed 

 with magnesia or a piece of book muslin, after the bran process, against the 

 way of the fur. Soiled white fur ca» be liicely cleaned by rubbing it thor' 



