188 PLAIN AND PLEASANT TALK 



in water, out of which it is to be immediately taken, and 

 left to slake in the air. For fine white paint the oil of 

 caraway is best, because colorless; but with ochres the com- 

 monest oils may be used. The oil when mixed with the 

 milk and lime entirely disappears, and is totally dissolved 

 by the lime, forming a calcareous soap. The whiting or 

 ochre is to be gently crumbled on the surface of the fluid, 

 which it gradually imbibes, and at last sinks : at this 

 period it must be well stirred in. This paint may be 

 colored like distemper or size-color, with levigated charcoal, 

 yellow ochre, etc., and used in the same manner. The 

 quantity here prescribed is sufficient to cover twenty-seven 

 square yards "with the first coat, and it will cost about three 

 halfpence a yard. The same paint will do for outdoor, 

 work by the addition of two ounces of slaked lime, two 

 ounces of linseed oil, and two ounces of white Burgundy 

 pitch : the pitch to be melted in a gentle heat with the oil, 

 and then added to the smooth mixture of the milk and 

 lime. In cold weather it must be mixed warm, to facilitate 

 its incorporation with the milk." 



We add several recipes of various convenient kinds of 

 paint to be employed in particular situations, and for special 

 purposes. 



" A coating to preserve wood in damp situations may 

 be made by beating twelve pounds of resin in a mortar, 

 and adding to it three pounds of sulphur and twelve pints 

 of whale oil. This mixture must then be melted over afire, 

 and stirred well while it is melting. Ochre of any required 

 color, ground in oil, may be put to it. This composition 

 must be laid on hot, and when the first coat is dry, which 

 will be in two or three days, a second coat may be given ; 

 and a third, if necessary." 



" Gas tar, with yellow ochre, makes a very cheap and 

 durable green paint for iron rails and coarse woodwork." 



