On painting Linen Cloth in Oil Colours , 1)7 
tliod, marked No. 2; another piece painted according to 
my process, marked No. 3; and, lastly, a piece finished en- 
tirely with a new composition, marked No. 4; each sam- 
ple having received three coats of paint. Upon examining 
No. 2, you will find it becoming from time to time more 
stubborn, in consequence of the paint hardening; and 
when a small ridge is formed in it, by pressing it between 
the finger and thumb, it will soon discover that it is sub- 
ject to crack, and by this means, permitting the wet to en- 
ter it, will soon rot the canvass. 
The space of time proper between laying on the new 
preparation and the second coat, ought to be one entire 
day; but if saving time is an object, the second coat may 
be put on the day following the first; for, if the canvass 
is placed in an advantageous situation for drying, the 
composition will dry or harden so as not to rub ofif. 
Canvass finished entirely with the composition, leaving 
it to dry one day between each coat, will not stick toge- 
ther if laid in quantities, as you will find by making 
experiments on the sample No. 4. 
Since the Navy Board have given directions for ship’s 
canvass to be painted according to my method, I find, 
upon calculation, that I have painted upwards of twenty 
thousand yards since November last, a great part of which 
has not been hung up for painting and drying more than 
one week, as no more time could be allowed me, in con- 
sequence of ships sailing. My plan was therefore to lay 
on the composition the first day, to coat it the second day, 
and, leaving one intermediate day, to finish it on the 
fourth. Three days were then allowed it to dry and har- 
den ; and when afterwards taken down and folded toge- 
ther in cloths, containing sixty or seventy yards, they did 
not stick together. 
Having no means of giving information to persons con- 
cerned in grinding colours, so well as through the me- 
VOL. II. M 
