The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-11-27
SCIENTIFIC,

EO0nised Observation-Disclosures furni-
ture made of obonized wood, in imita-
tlon of the rich ebony and gold more
common In the Eastern Hemisphere, is
quite popular, and there are few fine
furniture stores in tho ciry in which
more or less Of 1t is not displayed. Some
superb specimens are to be seen at tho
dealers, where they attract much at
!ehtion. The process Of febonizing wood
Is comparatively simple, and has been
described as follows: The wood Is first
stained with decoction Of logwood,
which may DO purchased from any
druggist or dealer in dye stutts. 1t IL
dissolved IN warm water until all has
been taken up that the water will hold.
Application to the wood is made ready
with large, soft bristle brush, and tho
surface Is rubbed with q cloth to pre-.
vent the formation of gumlny coat
thereon. After the article has been left
to dry for a few hours the second app,i-
cation, which consists of vinegar in
which quantity of nails or clean ILL
ings have been soaked for several days,
Is also freely laid on with q brush
The moment tho vinegar touches the
wood 1T combines with the logWOod So
luton in the pores, making an ink
which is 4 permanent jot black stair.
The influence OF the iron IN the vinegar
is all Important, and it is really that
which docs the work. If any tendency
TO grayncss is noticed a second troat-
mcnt with the logwood and vinegar is
necessary, but this seldom happens if
the materials have been properly used
in tho first instance. When perfocCly
dry, the article is varnishcd and rubbed
down, or finished with furniture oil
we'll rubbed in. a dead black surface
is what is sought after Cherry Is con-
sidercd the best wood for eboniz,ng,
and the furniture to which we have re-
ferrcd is most generally known t. the
trade as ebonized cherry. White wood,
maple and beech are, however, used
with good effect. Any close grained,
dense wood will answer. Ash, chest
nut and oak are NOT suitable.
Fire. Proof CompoStionS.--Na com
b!natiO0S OF ammonia and bOraX have
been suggested in Paris for rendering
textile fabrics inilulnmablc. uere is
one applicable to all kiuds of goods
Sulp)ate of Ammonia (pure), s kilos;
carbonate of ammonia, 20 kilos; borac-
1c acid, kllos; boraX (pure), II kilOs;
starch, kllOS; water 100 kll0s. 1t is
simply necessary to steep the fabrics in
n hot solution composed rs above until
they have become thoroughly impreg-
mated, after which they arc drained and
dried sufficiently to enable them tu be
irOned or pressed like ordinary starvh~
cd goods. a second composition to be
used for theatrical scenery or the
mounted but unpainted canvas to be
used for this purpose and alse for
woodwork, furniture, door and window
frames, ETC., is to be applied hot with
brush like ordinary paint. It, is COM
posed OF boracic acid, kilos; hydro
chloratc of ammonia or sal ammoniac,
Is kilos; potassic felhspar, ) kilos gel
atine, l.5 kil0S; sizo, 90 kiloS; water,
l0o kilos; 10 which is added sufficient
quantity Of Il suitable calcarcOus sub
stance to give the composition sufficient
body or consistency. Another compo-
sition, applicable TO all kinds OF paper,
whether printed or not. including seen.
rites, books, "tc., is formed OF sulphato
Of ammonia (pure), kilos; Loracic
acid, 3 kilos; boraX l.7 kilos; water,
100 kilos. The solution is heated TO
122 deg. Fahrenheit. If the paper be
in sheets or printed it is simply i'm
mcrscd IN the solution, spread ont to
dry, and attcrward pressed to restore
The glaze destroyed by The moisture.
The above compositions insure high
degree OF incOmbustibility The pro-
portions Of tho several ingredients are
given rs examples only, and may be
varied MS found necessary IN practice.
4 Biuc Dye that XOidS FuSt t.--Rcich-
enDacl's wood-tar-color, pittacal, has
been rcsuscitated by A. Grnlzcl, and it
Is now ali article OF commerce aJ the
price of i per kilo, under the f0rmi-
uablc name f"German-lm -lmperiul-F Flow
cr-Bluc,' with reference probably TO
the blue corn flower, whicl, is said to
be the favoritc Of the German emperor.
The purchase Is inSolublc in water, but
dissolros in every acid, and the s0lu-
tons can be diluted to any extent.
The acetate is generally used for dye
ing, dissolved in u little acetic acid ui-
luted with water, and almost neutral
lzed with ammonia. In this bath, six
and wool take fine reddish blue with
out the aid OF any mordant. Cotton
and other vegetable iibcrs are prepared
with solution OF tannin, followed by
solution Of tartar emetic. The colors
produced arc perfectly fast.
Scientific Fucts. s.-Waterpr0uf glue NAV
be made by boiling two ounces Of isin-
glass In pint OF skim-milk. uaiI the
consistonCc Is obtained.