eeply into the wood, especially when applied hot. They may be made
of any coloring matter that is soluble in water, and are particularly
good for hard woods and for use in large quantities. It is possible to
stain wood much darker with them than with oil stains. Moreover, the
brushes used with them are easily taken care of. Disadvantages: they
are difficult to prepare and they raise the grain of the wood. The
former disadvantage may be overcome by buying them all prepared.

The difficulty of the raising of the grain is to be obviated either by
washing the wood in water and, when dry, rubbing down with sandpaper
before applying the stain, or rubbing down after staining and
re-staining when necessary.

a. Water stains made from anilines. Aniline stains are likely to fade,
but the addition of a little vinegar is said to hinder fading. For
Mahogany, dissolve 1 oz. Bismarck brown in 3 quarts of boiling water.
Use when cool.

b. Water stains made from dyes other than anilines. The number of
these is legion; some of the simpler are given.

Reddish Brown. Dissolve extract of logwood of the size of a walnut
in 1/2 cup (4 oz.) of hot water. Apply hot to wood repeatedly until
desired color is obtained.

Black. Dissolve extract of logwood of the size of a walnut in 1/2 cup
(4 oz.) of boiling water. Add a teaspoonful of alum. Apply repeatedly
until the wood is dark brown. Prepare acetate of iron according to
directions for making dark brown, on next page. Apply this to wood
already browned with logwood. If the grain is raised, sandpaper
lightly, or rub with steel wool and then with boiled oil.

(3) _Spirit Stains._ These are expensive and hence little used. A few
illustrations are given.[12]

[Footnote 12: For detailed directions for treatment of different
woods, see Hodgson, pp. 112-153.]

Black. Aniline black, cut in alcohol, gives a bluish effect but if the
wood thus stained is rubbed with raw linseed oil, it becomes black.

Another Black. Dissolve extract of logwood in wood alcohol. Develop
the color by going over the work with tincture of muriate of iron.

Golden Oak. Dissolve asphaltum in naphtha until it is as thin as water
and makes a yellowish stain; or to equal parts of asphaltum,
varnish, and gold size japan, add enough turpentine to thin to proper
consistency.

Mahogany. Dissolve Bismarck Brown in alcohol.

Aniline stains may be cut in alcohol and mixed with equal parts of
white shellac and banana