191.  Directions for using tortoise-shell japan

Having thus prepared the varnish or japan, clean well the substance which is to be japanned; then lay vermillion, tempered with shell-lac varnish, or with drying oil, very thinly diluted with oil of turpentine, on the places intended to imitate the more transparent parts of the tortoise-shell; when the vermillion is dry, brush the whole over with black varnish, tempered to a due consistence with the oil of turpentine.  When set and firm, put the work into a stove, where it may undergo a very strong heat, which must be continued a considerable time; if even three weeks or a month it will be the better.  This tortoise-shell ground it not less valuable for its great hardness, and enduring to be made hotter than boiling water without damage, than for the superior beauty and brilliancy of its appearance.

192.  To make cloth, silk &c., Water-proof

Mix equal quantities of alum and acetate of lead, and dissolve the mixture in 1-1/2 gallons of boiling water.  When the solution has cooled, remove the supernatent liquid from the sediment, which consists of sulphate of lead, and is ready for use.  Any article of dress, when well saturated in this liquid, and allowed to dry slowly, bears the action of boiling water, and does not permit it to pass through, although steam and air penetrate if freely.

193.  Crockery cement

Dissolve 1 oz. of common salt in 1 quart of water, bring to a boil, and put in 1-1/4 lbs. gum shell-lac; when it shall have dissolved, pour into cold water, and work like wax; make into small sticks.  This will make crockery as firm as a rock.  Directions:  Warm the stick, apply it to the broken edges, then heat the edges, place them together and hold for a minute, and they are firm.

194.  A cement for china, glass-ware, &c.

Take a thick mucilage of gum arabic, and stir into it plaster of Paris to form a thick paste, apply to the edges with a brush, and press firmly together and confine them two or three days, and you will be astonished at their firmness.

195.  ANGLER’S secret

The juice of loveage or smellage mixed with any kind of bait, or a few drops of the oil of rhodium; India cockle, also, is sometimes mixed with flour dough, and sprinkled on the surface of still water.  This intoxicates the fish, and makes him turn up on the top of the water, when he is taken and put in a tub of fresh water until he revives, when all is right; he may be eaten without fear; but this will destroy many fish.

196.  Morella wine

Take the juice of morella or tame cherries, and to each quart put 3 quarts of water, and 4 lbs. of coarse brown sugar; let them ferment, and skim until worked clear; then draw off, avoiding the sediment at the bottom, bung up, or bottle, which is best for all wines, letting the bottles lie always on the side, either for wines or beers.