32 farmers' and mechanics' journal. 



sent administration, " This country cannot stand still, whilst others 

 are advancing in science, in industry, in every thing which contri- 

 butes to increase the power of empires, and to multiply the means 

 of comfort and enjoyment to civilized man." 



JONES, ON JAPANNING AND VARNISHING....N0. 2. 



In treating upon this subject, the spirit varnishes will claim our 

 first attention, as they are used for a greater number of purposes, 

 than either of the other species. 



it is intended in these papers to preserve, in general, a syste- 

 matic arrangement, but as it will sometiines happen that a recipe 

 may present itself, or a process become known, after we have 

 passed that point which it would have occupied in a perfect sys- 

 tem, we shall not, on this account, refuse a place to any thing 

 which is deemed useful. 



Oil Alcohol. — The various kinds of spiiituous liquors, derive 

 their strength, their combustibility, and their intoxicating property, 

 from the presence of one ingredient, which is common to them all, 

 this ingredient is denominated alcohol. Proof spirit, whether 

 known under the name of whiskey, gin, rum, or brandy, consists of 

 about equal parts of alcohol, and of water ; the peculiar flavor and 

 odour of each being derived from the accidental presence of some 

 portion of the article from which it has been distilled, and from 

 which it may completely, although not easily, be separated by rec- 

 tification. The liquid usually sold under the name of spirits of 

 zvine, is in general a highly rectified spirit, intermediate between 

 proof spirit and alcohol ; but not sutticiently concentrated for the 

 purpose of making varnish. The name however will not serve as 

 a guide, as the two are frequently used without discrimination, and 

 the purchaser fails in his attempt to dissolve the resins, in sufficient 

 quantity to make varnish, in consequence of the weakness of the 

 liquid employed. 



The goodness of the alcohol should first be ascertained, and if it 

 contains any notable quantity of water, it must be re:;ected, or the 

 water must be separated from it, which may be readily done by a 

 method to be presently described. The most common way of 

 testing the strength of the spirit, is to put a small quantity of gun- 

 powder into a cup, and to pour a small portion of the spirit u[)on 

 it, so as to moisten it ; the spirit is then inflamed, and if when 

 burnt out, it fires the powder, the spirit is accounted good ; this 

 however is a very imperfect test, as a weak spirit may fire the 

 powder, if but a small portion is dropped on it, the quantity of 

 water which it contains, not being sutHcient to wet the powder 

 throughout, whilst a stronger spirit, if applied in large quantity, 

 may leave a sufficient portion of water to prevent the combustion. 



The readiest practical method of determining whether alcohol 

 will answer the purpose, is to (ill a large vial with it. and then to 



