If all the work is to be left dull, give the frame or bracket, &c., a
coat of OAK SPIRIT STAIN, which dries in dull if put upon new wood, not
prepared in any manner. To prepare wooden frames, &c., so that the OAK
SPIRIT STAIN shall assume a polished surface, it is necessary to size
the frame well and leave it to dry; when dry, give it one or more coats
of OAK SPIRIT STAIN.
Those who prefer making the OAK SPIRIT STAIN, can do so by referring to
the receipt in this book; it is made with little trouble, and is
composed principally of Australian Red Gum; a new article to most of our
readers; and, although many druggists, &c., have procured it when they
have received orders for it, we are sorry to say, in several instances,
they have said there was no article of that description; or else have
substituted a different kind of gum, perfectly _worthless for this
purpose_; consequently, disappointment has ensued; and in order to
protect the public from being imposed upon, and ourselves the disgrace
of publishing anything not practicable, we are obliged, in self-defence,
to state how we came to use it.
In the month of January, 1852, the publisher was applied to for a
varnish stain that would dry quickly, and at the same time be the colour
required: he was making experiments for this purpose, when, taking up
the TIMES newspaper of Friday, January 23rd, he found, under the heading
of SOCIETY OF ARTS, an epitome of Professor EDWARD SOLLY’s lecture, at
the above Society on the previous Wednesday, on vegetable substances
used in the Arts, &c. Allusions were made to a fine red gum from New
South Wales: he procured the lecture, and then, after a little trouble,
obtained samples; they were tested, and one was found to answer, and he
has now in stock several tons of the proper kind for making the stain,
and can supply it in any quantity.
We will now conclude by directing the student to an attentive observance
of nature: we have avoided, as far as possible, technical terms; where
they are used the illustrations will, in most cases, explain them. The
study of this mode of decoration has often led those who had not before
observed the varied beauties of the floral world to do so with the
greatest pleasure and the happiest results.
[Decoration]