varieties of shade to the dark blue, or clouded blue and
green rug, also, upon white warp. It can also be used in connection with
yellow or orange, or with copperas or walnut dye, in different shades
of green; and, in short, unless one has exceptional advantages in buying
rags from woolen mills, I can hardly imagine a profitable industry of
rag-weaving established in any farmhouse without the existence of an
indigo dyeing tub.

[Sidenote: _Red_]

[Sidenote: _Copperas_]

[Sidenote: _Dull green_]

"The next important color is red. Fortunately, red warps can be bought
which are reasonably fast, but the only way to procure red rags in
quantity is to dye them, and, although the dye is somewhat expensive,
there are two colors, turkey red and cardinal red, which are extremely
good for the purpose. Probably these could be bought at wholesale from
dealers in chemicals and dyestuffs at much cheaper rates than by the
small paper from the druggist or the country store. Copperas gives a
fast nankeen-colored dye, and this is very useful in making a dull green
by an after dip in the indigo tub.

[Sidenote: _Domestic dyes_]

[Sidenote: _Nut stains_]

[Sidenote: _Leaf stains_]

[Sidenote: _Iron rust_]

[Sidenote: _Ink stains_]

"There are some valuable domestic dyes which are within the reach of
every country dweller, the cheapest and best of which is walnut or
butternut stain. This is made by steeping the bark of the tree or the
shell of the nut until the water is dark with color, and setting it with
alum. It will give various shades of yellow, brown, dark brown, and
green brown, according to the strength of the decoction or the state of
the bark or nut when used. If the bark of the nut is used when green,
the result will be a yellow brown; and this stain is also valuable in
making a green tint when an after dip of blue is added. Leaves and
tree-bark will give a brown with a very green tint, and these different
shades used in different rags woven together give a very agreeably
clouded effect. Walnut stain will itself set or fasten some others; for
instance, pokeberry stain, which is a lovely crimson, can be made
reasonably fast by setting it with walnut juice. Iron rust is the most
indelible of all stains, besides being a most agreeable yellow, and it
is not hard to obtain, as bits of old iron left standing in water will
soon manufacture it. It would be a good use for old tin saucepans, and
various other house utensils wh