HOW TO DO IT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4393, 22 March 1922, Page 1

HOW TO DO IT.

TO KEEP OYSTERS FRESH FOR SALE. If neceived in a barrel or tub, allow to remain therein as flaking care that the vessel is opened £& the proper end, that is;, with the flat shells lying uppermost., Take out layers as, required. If not kept in the tup lay them in a crock dish, deep shell downwards, cover with a damp cloth, and stand in a cool place. TO MAKE COURT PLASTER. This plaster is merely a kind of varnished silk, and its manufacture is very easy. Bruise a sufficient quantity of isinglass, and let i'tj soak in a little warm water for 24 hours ; expose it to heat over the fire till the greater part of the water is dissipated, and supply its place by proof spirits of wine, which will combine with the isinglass. Strain the whole through a piece of open linen, taking care that the consistency pf the mixture shall be such that/, when cool, :t may form a trembling jelly. Extend a piece of 1 black or fleshncol oured silk on a wooden fiame, and fix it in that position by means of tacks or twine. They apply the isinglass (after it has been rendered liquid by a gentle heat) to the silk with a brush of fine hair (badger's is the best). As soon as the first coating is dry, which it will soon be, apply a second, and if the article is to be- very superior, a third coating may be given. When the whole is dry, cover it with two or three coatings of balsam of Peru. This is the genuine court plaster. It' is pliable, and never breaks-, which is far from being the case with spurious articles sold under- that name.

TO PRODUCE TRANSFER PICTURES IN' WOOD. (1.) Take a piece of wood, such as lime, pine, or fir, and get a good smooth surface on it by planing, glass papering, etc., being very careful not to leave any scratches on its surface after using the sandpaper. The next thing I|d do is to polish the surface well with ordinary white French polish, but do not finish oil with spirits, and'he sure to have a good coat of polish on. Now take the picture and lay it on the wood, with the picture side to the polish ; then take a piece of sponge or cotton wool and dip it into methylated spirits', brush the back of the paper over with this, being sure it is well saturated., and that there are no air bubbles left under it. Now put it aside for a time, until all the spirit has evaporated and the paper is. quite dry, when it will be .found to be securely fastened to the wood. Now, to get rid of the paper, it must be gradually rubbed -away with water, using the tips of tlie fingers or a piece of soft indiarubber until the picture appears equally distinct over the whole surface, when the rubbing down is to be discontinued. Now put it aside again for four or five hours, until all the water has evaporated, and then polish with the French polish in the usual way, as if you were polishing a piece of wood. The white French polish is made from white shellac and methylated spirit. (2) Cover the picture with the following solution: Gelatine, 2oz ; glycerine, %oz ; water, one pint. The woodwork must be made smooth arid Soaked in water before the picture is placed on it. The picture must be well pressed on the wood by a piece of woollen rag dipped in pure benzine. An edge of the picture is then slightly raised with the point of a blunt knife. The raised edge is then taken hold of, and pulled gently off the wood. Instead of removing the picture with an upward motion it is better to turn it backwards, as there is less danger of it being torn;

STAINING WHITE. WOOD ARTICLES. (1) Dissolve some glue in water, and let it be tolerably strong. Mix with this whiting until it is as firm as dough. With this dp all stopping. Then put 4%0z of dragon’sblood and an ounce off soda, both well bruised, to three pints of spirits of wine ; let. it stand in a warm place, shake frequently, strain, and lay oh with a soft brush. To stain arid polish at same time mix varnish with the stain, and apply with a soft, brush. (2) White wood articles could be stained and polished at the same time., but it would not be a correct way of doing theml, simply because the colour wpuld have to be mixel with, the polish, and’ would only be on the surface of the wood, so that in case of damage at any time the white would show through the bruise. Stain with a stain made from 2oz of vandyke brown, 2oz of common soda, two tablespoonfuls of ammonia, half a pint of boiling water. Make in a large vessel, as the ammonia causes it to boil for a short, time. Stir with a piece of stick until mixed), then add another half-pint of cold water. You will have a good pint of walnut stain. Apply with a very wet cloth, as if washing; rub any way. then dry finally with rubbing straight with grain of wood.. When dry it is ready for polishing.