If anyone be
skeptical on this point, let him test, by means of a step-ladder, the
condition of the air near the ceiling of his common sitting-room on a
Winter evening, when the gas is burning freely. The heat is simply
insufferable.

HOW TO PREVENT MILDEW ON BOOKS.

To prevent mildew on books, lightly wash over the backs and covers with
spirits of wine, using as a brush the feather of a goose quill.

A CHEAP LYE.

Boil six gallons of water and add while boiling one pound of unslacked
lime and four pounds of common soda. When cold, it should be carefully
dipped out, leaving the dregs of the lime at the bottom of the vessel, and
it is then fit for immediate application. Cost, about two cents per
gallon.

A GOOD DRYER.

A good dryer for printers' use is made by taking a small quantity of
perfectly dry acetate of lead or borate of manganese in impalpable powder
will hasten the drying of the ink. It is essential that it should be
thoroughly incorporated with the ink by trituration in a mortar.

A STRONG LYE.

A very strong printers' lye may be made as follows:--Take of table salt, 2
oz.; unslacked lime, 2 lb., and bruised Scotch washing soda, 2 lb. Mix
together in three gallons of water, stirring frequently until the
ingredients are dissolved, when the lye will be ready for use. This is a
powerful mixture, and will wash off almost any color.

EFFECT OF PETROLEUM OIL ON WOOD TYPE.

Although petroleum oil is a highly useful fluid for cleansing wood letter
or wood-cuts, the printer should be cautioned that it is highly
detrimental to type and stereoplate. While it has no effect in opening the
pores of the wood, but on the contrary, hardens the surface, rendering the
face peculiarly smooth, it corrodes or rots the metal, and leaves a white
powder on the face, which, although it may be removed with a brush, shows
that the type has been injured. Besides this, petroleum is highly
dangerous on account of its inflammability. It cannot be extinguished by
water.

A BRONZE OR CHANGEABLE HUE.

A bronze or changeable hue may be given to inks with the following
mixture:--Gum shellac, 1-1/2 lb., dissolved in one gallon of 95 per cent
alcohol or Cologne spirits for 24 hours. Then add fourteen ounces aniline
red. Let it stand for a few hours longer, when it will be ready for use.
When added to a good blue, black, or other dark inks, it gives them a rich
hue. The quantity used must be very carefully apportioned.