Boot and Shoe Blacking. The manipulations required for paste and liquid blacking are the same, the difference in the two being the quantity of liquid added. Thus, by diluting paste blacking with water or beer bottoms, it may be converted into liquid blacking of a similar quality, and, by using less fluid matter, the ingredients of liquid blacking will produce paste blacking. One thing must, however, be observed, and that is, that the ivory-black used for liquid blacking must be reduced to a much finer powder than for paste blacking, as, if this be not attended too, it will settle to the bottom, and be with difficulty diffused again through the liquid. For those persons who do not like the use of blacking containing oil of vitriol, the first of the forms given below, either for paste or liquid, may be adopted. The vitriol, however, greatly contributes to promote the shining properties of the blacking, and in small quantities is not so injurious to the leather as has been falsely represented, as it wholly unites itself to the lime of the phosphate contained in the ivory-black, and is thus partly neutralized. This is the reason why lampblack should never be employed for blacking, as it has no earthy base to absorb or neutralize the acid, which would then prove very hurtful to the leather. Oil of vitriol is now employed in the manufacture of all the most celebrated shining blackings. The addition of white of eggs, isinglass, gum-arabic, and similar articles to blacking, always proves injurious, as they tend to stiffen the leather and to make it crack.

3087. Liquid Blacking

3087.    Liquid Blacking. Ivory-black, in fine powder, 1 pound ; molasses, 3/4 pound; sweet oil, 2 ounces; beer and vinegar, of each 1 pint. Rub together the first three until the oil be perfectly killed, then add the beer and vinegar.

3088. Fine Liquid Blacking

3088.    Fine Liquid Blacking. Ivory-black and molasses, of each 1 pound; sweet oil and oil of vitriol, of each 1/4 pound. Mix the first three as before, then gradually add the vitriol, diluted with thrice its weight of water; mix well, and let it stand for 3 hours, when it may be reduced to a proper consistence with water or sour beer.

3089. Liquid Jet Blacking

3089.    Liquid Jet Blacking. Ivory-black and molasses, of each 1/4 pound ; oil of vitriol, 1 ounce; sweet oil, 2 ounces; sour beer, 1 pint; finish as last receipt.

3090. Good Liquid Blacking

3090.    Good Liquid Blacking. Ivory-black, 7 pounds; molasses, 6 pounds; sweet oil, 1 pound; oil of vitriol, 1/2 pound; sufficient water; finish as in No. 3088.

3091. Liquid Blacking

3091.    Liquid Blacking. Ivory-black, 3 cwt.; crude molasses, 2 cwt. ; linseed oil, 3 gallons; oil of vitriol, 20 pounds; sufficient water to finish as in No. 3088.

3092. Bryant and James' Patent Liquid Blacking

3092. Bryant and James' Patent Liquid Blacking. 18 ounces caoutchouc-are to be dissolved in about 9 pounds hot rape oil. To this solution 60 pounds of fine ivory-black and 45 pounds molasses are to be added, along with 1 pound finely ground gum-arabic, previously dissolved in 20 gallons vinegar. These mixed ingredients are to be finely triturated in a paint-mill till the mixture becomes perfectly smooth. To this varnish 12 pounds sulphuric acid are to be now added in small successive quantities, with powerful stirring for half an hour; at the end of which time 3 pounds of finely-ground gum-arabic are added; after which the stirring is repeated half an hour every day for 14 days longer, when the liquid blacking is ready for use.