I. The lightest shade of this delicate color can be produced upon
naturally gray ostrich feathers by simply bleaching them; this color,
however, is extremely sensitive, probably because the action of peroxyd
of hydrogen continues under the influence of the oxygen of the air.
Bleached grays require, therefore, dying as well as naturally white
feathers. The feathers being well scoured and rinsed, prepare in a
white basin (preferable to the copper pans, because the coloring of the
dyebath is easier and more correctly discerned over the white bottom) a
bath of pretty hot water, to which add a pinch of tartaric acid, and a
little decoction of turmeric or solution of fast aniline yellow or of
azo yellow, but only enough to give the water a light tint; work the
feathers in it for four to six minutes. Then sample and correct, if
necessary, by adding more dyestuff solution. The shade being obtained,
pass through cold water, starch and dry us usual.
II. Prepare in a white basin a handwarm bath with three or four drops
of sulphuric acid and a few drops of the filtered solutions of picric
acid, fast aniline yellow, quinoline yellow, or mandaric yellow extra,
but preferably turmeric which dyes up more evenly than the other
dyestuffs. Enter the feathers and agitate them for fifteen or twenty
minutes; then lay them down in the bath for one-half hour longer to
insure a level dye; lift, draw through lukewarm water, starch and dry.