The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1904-11-02
INDIA INK SECRET.
Something That the West, VITA A
Its Science, Cannot FathOnM.

Something That the West VITA A1H
Its Science, Cannot FathonA. -
With all their modern improvements
and all their science none Of the ad-
vanced nations has been able to pro-
duce the equals of the Chinese and
japanese lacquers or india inks. Chem
lists, ink manufacturers and artists
have tried for generations to discover
the secret that enables the Chinese,
with primitive processes, to produce
these materials in such perfect form,
but the secrets still are secrets.
The manufacture of india ink In
particular has baffied all foreigners. 1t
In made in China today practically as
It was made four centuries ago, when
Chen Ki Sonen invented the process.
The oil is pressed out of the seeds OF
q certain plant and then set to simmer,
while the workman adds mixture of
powdered redwood, grated sandalwood
and seeds OF almonds and other pow
ders.
After the simmering is ended the re-
suit is filtered and set aside for a long
time to settle. Then it is put into tiny
earthen dishes, each Of which has a
wick made out Of a reed. A great
quantity of these little dishes are set
on bricks, and over each is placed q
funnel shaped clay cover. Then the
wicks are lit, and the SCOT produced by
the burning mass is caught on Its in
side. q
This Is SO delicate an operation that
the workmen watch the slightest
change in the weather, for small diff
ference in temperature will make a
big difference in the quality Of the
SCOT. The finest SCOT is prepared I'm
rooms that are absolutely alright. If
there are any windows In them they
are covered with paper pasted over
them SO as to close every crack in the
walls. h-4at5E f4a ~
Il Every little while the workman goes
cautiously to a dish and dusts the gath
cred SCOT off with a feather. Although
1t Is SO soft and fine that 1t will float
In the air, it still is not fine enough for
the Cinnamon. They put 1t through
sieves, and only after 1t has passed
through them is it considered fit fo-
mixing with the liquid material that
luEAS IL 4ALO 4AAUAh AAAss= 4SOOVOy VuS-
side of the Cinnamon In the secret
knows what this liquid substance is.
After it has been mixed 1t is knead-
ed for many hours and then ground
fine again in mortars, which stand In
water baths, so that there shall not be
the slightest change In the tempera-
ture. lts
Then the stuff is shaped into the
sticks that we know, anih-i la beaten
with little hammers until each stick Is
perfect. After this; the sticks are plac-
ed into wooden forms to harden. The
forms have raised letters carved on
them, and these impress themselves
{on the sticks, making the trademarks
which are familiar to all users Of In
sdia. .ipk. F.f <s* Z 2 - L. s..
Even after the sticks are. hard and
appear perfect the Chinaman 10 not
satisfied. Each stick is wrapped with
fine silk paper, and then they are Laid
into box. The spaces between them
are filed with ashes obtained from
rice straw. Every day the ashes are
taken out and new ashes put In until
every bit Of moisture has been ex-
tracted. Then the sticks are unwrap-
ped, brushed, rubbed and finally pol
1shed with a polisher made of agate.
After that the india ink 10 consid-
cred ready for the market.-Louisvillc
Courier-J Journal. @