136 



Selections. 



[NO. 5, NEW SERIES, 



The wood is then washed over with this liquid, by means of an 

 ordinary white- wash brush, the latter being passed two or three 

 times over the surface, so that the wood may absorb as much of 

 the solution as possible. When this first coating is nearly dry, the 

 wood is'painted with the lime-wash in the usual manner. 



A solution of the silicate, in the proportion of two part3 by mea- 

 sure of the syrup to three parts of water, is then made ; and a 

 sufficient time having been allowed to elapse for the wood to become 

 moderately dry, this liquid is applied, upon the lime, in the manner 

 directed for the first coating. The preparation of the wood is then 

 complete. If the lime-coating has been applied rather too thickly, 

 the surface of the wood may be found, when quite dry, after the 

 third coating, to give off a little lime when rubbed with the hand. 

 In that case, it should be once more coated over with a solution of 

 the silicate, of the strength prescribed for the second liquid. 



Directions for Covering Timber with a Coating of the Silicate of Soda 

 and Lime, as a Protective from Fire. 



Materials Employed. 

 The Silicate of Soda must be in the form of a thick syrup of 

 a known degree of concentration, and is diluted with water when 

 required for use according to the prescriptions given below. 



The lime-wash should be made by slaking some good fat lime, 

 rubbing it down with water until perfectly smooth, and diluting it 

 to the consistency of thick cream. 



Treatment or the Wood. 



The protective coating is prduced by painting the wood, firstly 

 with a dilute solution of Silicate of Soda ; secondly with the lime- 

 wash ; and lastly, with a somewhat stronger solution of the Silicate. 



The Surface cf the wood should be moderately smooth, and any 

 covering of paper, paint or other material, should be first removed 

 entirely, by planing or scraping. 



A solution of the Silicate, in the proportion of one part by mea- 

 sure of the syrup to four parts of water, is prepared in a tub, pail 

 or earthen vessel by stirring the measured proportion of the Silicate 



