AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY. 



491 



sell the camera for what I could get. I 

 could easily have built a conservatory with 

 the plates I had spoiled at 55 cents a dozen. 

 One day I accidentally met a professional 

 photographer and I put my troubles before 

 him. He examined the camera and told 

 me it was hardly adapted for my class of 

 work. He suggested an alteration, how- 

 ever, which he thought would meet my 

 needs, and it did. I now get good results 

 every time with my 4x5 lens. Nine out of 

 10 people think my photos are taken with 

 a cabinet lens, because I can fill a 4x5 with 

 an animal's head sharp and clear all over. 

 J advise novices to go to a practical man, 

 who will usually help them out. I do all 

 my work now myself, up to a finished pic- 

 ture in my album, with no thanks to the 

 photo dealer. Some of my subjects are 

 difficult to photograph, having non-actinic 

 colors in their plumage. 



A. Learo, Montreal, Can. 



HOW TO WASH PRINTS. 



I have been much pleased with the re- 

 cent enlargement of the photo department 

 in Recreation, for there is surely more 

 to be hunted with a camera than with a 

 gun, though I love my gun as much as I 

 ever did. 



I notice in March Recreation that F. R. 

 Woodward wants a hint on how to wash 

 prints without paying them much atten- 

 tion. Assuming that running water and 

 a wash bowl are at hand, the accessory ap- 

 paratus consists of a soft rubber tube about 

 i l / 2 feet long and ^ oi an inch insfde diam- 

 eter, and a piece of wire screen. Attach 

 the rubber tube to the faucet, or source of 

 water supply, and pass the other end 

 through the ring in the stopper, so the 

 water enters at the bottom of the bowl. 

 The ring must be of sufficient size so as 

 not to cramp the tube. The wire screen 

 must be bent cup shaped and placed over 

 the holes near the top of the bowl. That 

 is to prevent the prints from sticking over 

 the drain and causing an overflow. Allow 

 the water to run strong enough to cause a 

 gentle motion among the prints, which 

 will be thoroughly washed in l / 2 to one 

 hour, according to their number. If no 

 rubber tube is at hand, wind a clean strip 

 of cloth around the faucet and allow it to 

 hang down. That will prevent the water 

 from falling directly on the prints. In the 

 meantime get a tube somewhere. ^ There 

 are other good methods, but this is about 



as simple as any. 



A. E. Midgley, Chicago. 



tography, from which I get many valuable 

 hints. There are, however, some things 

 that may require a little explanation, or, 

 at least, they could be bettered. For in 

 stance, in the January number, in the article 

 on magic pictures, bichloride of mercury is 

 mentioned. Some people may not know 

 that is commonly called corrosive subli- 

 mate. Perhaps a little warning in regard 

 to its villainous nature would be as in- 

 teresting as any other part of the article. 

 In February Recreation C. H. Bailey 

 gives directions for taking 2 or 4 pictures 

 on one plate. If he can use those slides 

 and not fog his plates I should like to 

 know how he does it. 



I have used a 6^x8^2 camera more or 

 less, and I have to be very careful in draw- 

 ing a whole slide; in fact. I have spoiled 

 many otherwise perfect pictures in that 

 way. One day my dealer showed me a 

 sort of weather strip which kept the light 

 out after the slide was removed, but if the 

 slide was pulled out cornerwise the light 

 would get in. 



I am at present using a Pocket Kodak, 

 and am surprised at the quality of work it 

 will turn out. I took a moonlight picture 

 of a recent snow, and as there was no wind 

 I got a perfect view of all the trees which 

 were in the field of vision. I exposed it 

 6 hours through an ordinary window. 



C. F. Marble, Assinippi, Mass. 



TO KEEP OUT LIGHT. 

 I am a regular reader of your valuable 

 magazine, but the part that particularly 

 interests me is the section devoted to pno- 



BLUE PRINTS. 



Can you tell me how to make a cheap 

 bellows for a copying or enlarging ma- 

 chine? Should also like to know of a way 

 to make blue prints on envelopes and letter 

 heads. _ . 



Clyde E. Brobst, Canfield. Ohio. 



ANSWER 



To describe the process of cutting and 

 folding bellows would make a lon« arti- 

 cle, and a number of drawings would b« 

 needed. Blue prints on envelopes, letter 

 heads, checks, or any paper can be made 

 as follows: 

 Prepare 



A 

 Red prussiate of potash... 6 gi 



Water " dram 



B 

 Citrate iron and ammonia. 8 grains 

 Water ' dram 



When dissolved, mix A and B < 

 portion desired with the solution, usil 

 tuft of cotton, a brush or a sponge. W hen 

 dry, the sensitized portion will be yellow 

 If 'coated in a small, irregular patch it will 

 answer; otherwise, either a cut oul • 

 vignette will have to be used. W 

 printed till the shadows arc rusty throw 

 into water and wash till the whites arc 

 clear.— Editor. 



