Page 7 Advertisements Column 2

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 205, 22 April 1932, Page 7

DYES FROM LICHENS A series of experiments in extracting dyes from the native lichens on Mount Egmont has recently been carried out at the Dawson Falls Hostel. Sixteen different kinds were tried, all yielding colours which included black, green, orarige, iiigger brown, several shades of brownish yellow, several of buff, and a reddish brown. The lichens were colleeted, soaked in so^t water, qver night, and boiled with white wool for two to three hours: The weight of lichen used had to be about twice that of the wool unless pale shades were desired. The depth of colour varied according to the amount of lichen used and the length of time of boiling. In some cases the dyes had previously been proved to be fast to light arid soap, arid it is believed, Says the "Taranaki Daily News," that all the colours are permanent. They are t substantive dyes, arid require rio mordant to fix them, as is also the case with the d$e from berberis bark and , wood. They dye wool readily, silk not so easily, and cotton riot at "all. After -the boiling the wool was rinsed well, hnng oUt to dry, and required no further treatment.