FIRST PROCESS OF DYEING. 93 



colouring is intended to approach a red or brown. 

 The light shades in all cases should be first 

 gained, and any other deeper hue added after- 

 wards. Hard water should not be used in dyeing. 

 Having given to the feathers their mordant or 

 base, as already directed, add either sulphate of 

 iron, sulphate of alum, acetate of alum, or acetate 

 of copper, according to the intended shade. 

 Wash the feathers from the mordant, and put 

 them into a strong decoction of that plant which 

 the dyers call weld. Simmer them in this a few 

 minutes, strengthening or weakening the weld- 

 decoction in proportion as the colour is to be 

 more or less brilliant. A little practice, and the 

 noting of the various results after each trial, will 

 soon make the angler familiar with the methods 

 of varying the colours so as to meet his wishes. 

 These instructions, Mr. Packer states, apply to 

 wool also, which may be tinted in the same 

 manner. 



Mr. Ronalds dyes white feathers a dun colour 

 thus : Make a mordant by dissolving about a 

 quarter of an ounce of alum in a pint of water, 

 and slightly boil the feathers in it, taking care 

 that they shall be thoroughly soaked or saturated 

 with the solution ; then boil them in other water 

 with fustick, shumach, and a small quantity of 

 copperas, put into it until they have assumed the 

 required tint. The fustick and copperas will 



