on, such as tea-trays,
tea-canisters, cash-boxes, coal-boxes, and similar goods, are japanned
at Birmingham, and it is to such that the preceding instructions
apply.

ENAMELLING OLD WORK.

In all cases of re-enamelling old work, it is absolutely necessary to
remove all traces of the first enamelling, and if this has been well
done in the first instance, it will prove no mean job. The best way to
clean the work is to soak it in a strong "lye" of hot potash, when the
softened enamel can be wiped or brushed off--this latter method being
pursued in the more intricate and ungetatable portions of the work.
New work, which has not been enamelled, can be treated in the same way
for the removal of all grease, stains, finger-marks, etc., and too
much attention cannot be paid to the initial preparation of the
surface of the metal, to have it thoroughly even and smooth, as it
adds so much to the ultimate finish and appearance of the work. Plenty
of labour must be bestowed before the final coat, as any blemish will
show through this finishing, and so mar what would otherwise be a
highly satisfactory bit of work. In all kinds of bicycle work, whether
new or old, the most satisfactory results are obtained by the
application of at least two, and sometimes four or five, successive
coats of good but thin enamel, as this will impart the necessary
perfect coat, combined with durability, a high finish, and a good
colour. A good enamel should be sufficiently hard, so as not to be
scratched on the merest touch or rubbing. It will, of course, be
understood that no solder-work must be put into the stove, or the
pieces will separate. Should any of this work be discovered, the
pieces must be taken apart, and then brazed together before being
enamelled, and put in the stove.

SECTION IV.

THE ENAMELLING AND JAPANNING STOVE--PIGMENTS SUITABLE FOR JAPANNING
WITH NATURAL LACQUER--MODERN METHODS OF JAPANNING WITH NATURAL
JAPANESE LACQUER.

APPLIANCES AND APPARATUS USED IN JAPANNING AND ENAMELLING.

Besides the various enamels or japans and varnishes of various
colourings and the stove, which will be found described and
illustrated, together with the trough, in other pages, the worker will
need some iron pots or cauldrons in which to boil the potash "lye" for
the cleansing, more particularly, of old work, some iron ladles both
for this work and for pouring the japan on the articles to be covered
therewith, a few badger tools and brus