iOO farmers' and mechanics' journal. 



by a sieve, and rejected ; put the whole, the turpentine excepted, 

 into a tin bottle, or matrass ; which should then be placed in a ves- 

 sel containing water, a little warm ; this must afterwards be heat- 

 ed to ebullition, and so maintained for an hour or two ; a stick of 

 white wood must be used to stir the mixture, which must be done 

 very frequently, as the heat will otherwise cause the resins to unite 

 in a mass. When the solution appears t^ be nearly complete, 

 add the turpentine, which must be melted, by immersing the vessel 

 containing it, in boiling water. The heat must be continued for 

 half an hour longer, when the varnish may be suffered to cool y 

 during which process it must be constantly stirred. 



Tingrey remarks, that the opinion generally entertained of the 

 insolubility of copal, in spirit of wine, would have inspired him 

 with some doubt, as regards its usefulness in this varnish, had he 

 not experienced, that a much more durable varnish was produced, 

 than could be obtained without the copal. It is probable, that the 

 whole of this resin will not be dissolved, and that a smaller portion 

 than that indicated, would answer every useful purpose. 



A larger portion of copal may be dissolved, if three-eighths of an 

 ounce of camphor be added to the i)igredients ; this quantity must 

 not be exceeded, as it in some degree softens the varnish. We 

 shall have occasion hereafter to speak more particularly of the 

 employment of camphor, in facilitating the solution of copal in 

 alcohol. 



In digesting the ingredients, when making this and similar var- 

 nishes, a glass matrass is usually recommended, and, it is on some 

 accounts to be preferred, moie particularly as its transparency ad- 

 mits of the progress of the dissolution, being readily observed. 

 The experienced manipulator may employ a vessel of this kind ; 

 but, in ordinary cases, the risk is great, and tin should be used. 

 These varnishes may be tiltered through cotton, or allowed to re- 

 main at rest, until the impurities subside, when they may be care- 

 fully decanted. We always prefer the latter method. 



On cleaning and Polishing Brass, and preparing it for lackering. 



In our last number, we described the mode of preparing, and 

 using lacker, for brass ; the beauty of the work depends, however, 

 as much upon its being properly prepared, as upon its being well 

 lackered ; the mode of doing this, both upon old and new work, 

 shall now be described. 



To remove the lacker from old ivork. 



Resinous substances are soluble in potash ; and as the lacker 

 upon brass is resinous, it may readily be removed, by means of ley, 

 made from wood ashes. A portion of ashes and water may be put 

 into a small iron pot, which must be made to boil ; on dipping the 

 work into the liquid, the lacker will be immediately removed, and 

 if the surface of the brass be not corroded, it will require but little 

 labor to prepare it for re-lackering. It ought not to remain longer 

 in the ley, than is necessary to remove the lacker, otherwise the 

 brass will become tarnished, and require considerable labor to 



