GRASSES. 



193 



or straw-work will require boiling for several hours, and 

 if permitted to cool in the dye, the color will be even and 

 solid. Picric acid is in crystals, which, when dissolved 

 in water, will impart a pure yellow without the aid of 



BASKET BRACKET OF GRASSES. 



other dyes. Dark, blackish-brown, or walnut, is made by 

 mixing a little purple dye with Bismarck-brown. 



Blue is the most obstinate of colors and does not take 

 without the aid of oil of vitriol (sulphuric acid). To 

 dye blue, soak the grasses in cold vitriol water, and add 

 a very little of the acid to the vat with the dye. Care 

 should be taken in using the vitriol, for, if too strong, 



