To make a gallon of knotting, as used for painting knots in new woodwork, 1/4 lb. of powdered shellac is dissolved in 1 1/2 gal. of methylated spirit; to do this, place it in a warm place, and frequently agitate it. Made this way, it will require shaking up before being used. This is the patent knotting of commerce, to which, however, something is added to keep the shellac in solution. It will not pay to make it, patent knotting being much superior. Where patent knotting is not available, French polish will answer the purpose of stopping-out the knots.