CHAPTER IV 



THE DARK ROOM: DEVELOPING AND PRINTING 



Plate-holders may be loaded and the plates 

 developed in almost any place, from a small, dark 

 closet to a sleeping bag, but that is no reason 

 why we should not, when we can, have a comfort- 

 able place for a dark room. This need not be 

 large. All the space that is absolutely necessary 

 is enough for a chair and a table, but in order 

 that we may work in entire comfort it should be 

 at least five feet square. 



In making this room the one thing to be most 

 particular about is the temperature. Coolness is 

 a great consideration, both as regards our own 

 personal comfort and the welfare of the plates. 

 Therefore, if we happen to have a dry cellar be- 

 neath our house, that is the best possible place 

 for the dark room, as it is likely to be fairly cool 

 in the summer and also fairly warm in winter. 



Any carpenter can build this room at a very 

 small cost, or if we have the time, we can do so 

 ourselves even cheaper. It should be made 

 of half or three quarter inch pine boards, and 



E 49 



