HOW TO OBTAIN AN ACID-PROOF, WATER-PROOF FINISH ON TABLES

Occasionally we have inquiries on how to obtain an acid and water-proof finish on laboratory tables, from painters who are doing finishing or refinishing in colleges, high schools or drug stores and like places and in addition to other finishing are asked to finish the laboratory tables. So while you may not use the following formula every day, it is a good thing to paste in your scrap book, as you can't tell when you'll be called upon to use it..

Make the following mixtures:
Solution "A"

One part aniline chloro hydrate.
One part sal ammoniac.

Six parts water.

Solution "B"

Two parts blue vitriol.

One part potassium chlorate.

Twelve parts water.

The surface should be freshly dressed and sanded, and free from grease. Then three coats of each solution should be applied alternately, that is, first apply a coat of solution "A," then when this is thoroughly dry, a coat of solution "B." When solution "B" is thoroughly dry, a coat of solution "A" again, etc., making six coats in all. When the last or sixth coat is quite dry, greenish yellow crystals will appear, when the surface should be scrubbed thoroughly with soap and water; then when dry, raw linseed oil should be rubbed well into the surface. This will give a high gloss, black, water-proof, acid-proof finish.-Pratt & Lambert's Varnish Talks.

HOW TO FINISH SCHOOL
BLACKBOARDS.

Often in refinishing a schoolhouse, the painter is asked to renew the blackboards. So in case you are ever placed in this position, it might be well to bear in mind the following method.

A velvety surface that will not look gray as is the case with boards painted with lampblack, is made from four ounces finely powdered ivory black and two ounces of finely powdered, chemically pure, very dark chrome green. Mix this with one pint of grain alcohol and let stand over night. Dissolve eight ounces of gum shellac in three pints of alcohol and mix with the black and green mixture after which add three ounces of very finely powdered pumice stone. Apply quickly with a wall brush, giving as many coats as are needed, allowing sufficient time for drying between coats. Rub the fina' coat smooth with pumice stone and water.

GLUE.

Glue is practically the only material used to hold the pigment to the surface in water color painting. Glues are derived from fish, clippings of hides, cartilagenous parts of animals, and from the boiling of bones. Glues made exclusively from fish bladders and intestines are the strongest and clearest. Those made from animal skins are but little inferior. The thin calcimine grades of a light ivory or cream color are best to use for color binding, but if they have an opaque white color you can be reasonably sure that they have been adulterated and weakened with some weight-making material.

Glue made from bones are not as strong as the others and while cheaper in price are dearer in the long run. Glue should absorb about eighteen times its weight of water. By weighing out say an ounce of glue and letting it soak for a day, then draining off the water and reweighing, you can judge its strength, for if it falls much below the required weight, it will not be as strong as it should be. This test will also enable you to detect the addition of any weight-making adulterant as it will settle to the bottom.

Glue to be mixed with colors should be of about the consistency of a trembling jelly when cold. It should, however, be melted and mixed hot or at least warm enough so as not to "jell." If glue is much stronger than that of a trembling jelly, there is danger of the colors showing up shiny when dry. If made too weak there is the danger of it not binding the colors sufficiently well. About a half pint of good glue to a gallon of calcimine color will us ually be found sufficient, both materials being previously prepared before combining.

Mixed glue takes on an unpleasant odor if kept any length of time. It is therefore, advisable to mix it day by day. A few drops of carbolic acid or oil of cloves will retard fermentation.-Pratt & Lambert's Varnish Talks.

MIGHTY LITTLE RESTIN'

By Frank L. Stanton.

Feel a sort o' kinship with the blossoms an' the trees, But-mighty little time in life for takin' of yer ease!

It's all the time a run From risin' sun to sun; They'se mighty little restin' for a mighty weary one!

The green looks so invitin' where the meadow lands are spread,

An' the winds are callin', callin' over roses white an' red;

But, with the race begun, It's all the time a run; They'se mightly little restin' for a mighty weary one!

ONE OF OUR VETERANS. Brother M. R. Dalby, an honorary member of L. U. 271 of Los Gatos, Cal., was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 5th, 1836, consequently he is 79 years young, hale and hearty as his picture indicates. He started to work at the trade when he was fifteen, has worked at it 64 years and is still working every day. Most of his time he is engaged in garage work but he does housework too. Local 271 believes Brother Dalby is the oldest working painter in America. If there is any older we would like to hear from him.

L. U. 271, Los Gatos, Cal. E. J. HATCH, R. S.

BROTHER M. R. DALBY

A SPLENDID VICTORY. Sioux City, la., Lockout Broken. At the last regular meeting of Local Union No. 214, a vote of thanks was tendered the men who have been doing such effective work during the difficulty of our union with a number of the master painters which commenced three months ago. One of the larger firms has signed up with the union, and we have every reason to believe, now that the backbone of the "open shop" has been broken, that most

of the other master painters who have held out will soon sign up with Local No. 214.

Credit for the splendid manner in which the strike, or lock-out, has been handled, is due to the strike committee of our local, to the organizer sent here on sev eral occasions by the International, and to the president of the Iowa State Federation of Labor. These men have had the adjustment plans in charge, and through their ef forts we can at last claim a partial victory, which we hope will become a complete one. These men are Organizer Frank Heenan, of Chicago; Fred Cunningham and F. S. Bow ker, of the local strike committee, and President J. H. Strief, of the State Federation, whose home is in Sioux City.

This local believes it is, due to these men to thus acknowledge their splendid work, and to so inform the officers of the Brotherhood.

THE PAINTER AND DECORATOR.

I am the Decorators' Journal.

I am inspired by need. I feed on material things, but bear fruit in information and knowledge.

My motive is to help and my slogan is service.

I increase efficiency and destroy prejudice.

I am economic and democratic; friend of every brother alike; easy to understand by the unlettered and a delightful treat for the educated.

I am grown in the forests and dug from the depths of the earth; refined by the ele'ments and expertly shaped by the hands of master craftsmen.

Knowledge of chemistry, mathematics, and mechanics is instilled into my form. My efficiency makes me practical, while my ease makes me popular.

I am forceful, powerful and aggressive, though yet deliberate, gentle and tactful.

I help every decorator to be devoted to his duties without deprivation because of

me.

I erase the dull expression from his face and induce ambition to gleam from his eyes.

I exempt his brain from worry, for I unlock the shackles of trade ignorance.

F. S., Floyd Weeks. Meets Tuesdays, Weeks' shop. Joliet 33-B. A., Major Le Voy, 314 Miss ave. Pana 872-F. S., Albert Kenney, 307 Kitchell ave. Peoria 157-R. S., James N. Steele, 220 B. Hancock. F. S. Fred Sandoval 355-R. S., Ed. B. Purnell. Plotts. Meets second and fourth Fridays. West Frankfort 1004-R. S. and F. S., Sam M. Tolbertt, P. O. Box 747.

Irving 245-R. S., Arthur R. Coffey.

MINNESOTA.

Albert Lea 350-R. S., J. Ed. Johnson, 709 Jefferson st. F. S., J. P. Sullivan, 521 Euclid st. Twin City 1086-F. S., John Sigmond, 1210 Jefferson st., N. E., Minneapolis, Minn.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Dover 603-R. S., James F. Cullen, 102 Portland st.

NEW YORK.

Binghamton 103-R. S., J. A. Temby, 12 Willard st. Middletown 207-R. S., Floyd C. Gray, 31 Linden

ave.

Peekskill 148-R. S., Geo. Keon, Verplauch, N. Y. F. S., Stanley Dvorak, 1006 Brown st.

New York 803-F. S., Chas. Wagner, 430 E 9th st. Syracuse 31-F. S., Chas. Higgins, 612 N. Lowell

ave.

Tarrytown 531-F. S., Geo. F. Kessler, 47 Depeyster st., N. Tarrytown, N. Y.

OHIO.

Cincinnati 387-F. S., Chas. Lotz, 32 West 6th st., Covington, Ky.

Coshocton 621-R. S.. B. D. Bassett.

East Liverpool 165-F. S., W. F. Hutton, 411 Broadway.

OKLAHOMA.

New Kensington 936-R. S., John J. Ossler, 5th ave. between 8th and 9th sts. F. S., Phillip M. Myers, 843 4th ave.

Oil City 887-F. S., Clarence B. Jackson, 10121⁄2 West 2nd st.

Pottstown 354-R. S., F. Van Horn, R. F. D. No. 1. F. S., C. F. Seashotz, 361 N. Evans.

York 332-R. S., Oscar A. Briggs, 411 N. George st.

RHODE ISLAND.

Pawtucket 15-Meets second and fourth Tuesdays, Cotterall Blk., Main st.

SOUTH CAROLINA. Spartanburg 1032-R. S.. Norman H. Johnson, 276 S. Liberty st. F. S., Elmer High, 231 Oakland

Waco 673-R. S., L. E. Brockman, 1015 Barron st.

WEST VIRGINIA.

Huntington 888-R. S., M. G. McCoy, 513 3rd ave.