The process of colouring ivory billiard balls by immersion in water stains requires close attention that the balls may be withdrawn directly the required tone is obtained, and therefore only two or three balls can be dyed to precisely the same colour at one operation. They are prepared for dyeing, first by polishing with whiting and water, washing off the whiting, and immersing for from three to five minutes in a mixture of 1 part of commercial muriatic acid or nitric acid and 50 parts of water; this dilute acid extracts the gelatine from the surface of the ivory, and this is essential to the production of a uniform colour; the surface of the ivory is injuriously affected if the acid is not sufficiently dilute. The utmost cleanliness is necessary, and all touching with the hands must be avoided; lift the balls by means of a pair of wooden tongs. Before transferring to the stain, immerse for some minutes in clean cold water that has been boiled. The water stain should be at a temperature of 103° F. The higher the temperature, the more rapidly is the stain taken, but results obtained at the temperature mentioned are certain, and much greater heats are liable to injure the surface of the ivory balls, which then would have to be re-turned in the lathe.

The ivory is removed from the stain from time to time until the required tint is obtained; times of immersion cannot be stated with exactness, as some ivories take the stain more readily than others. On removal from the stain, well rinse in clean cold water, even though the ball has yet to pass through a bath of a different colour. Always transfer balls from the stain to clean water. When dry, polish the balls by rubbing with a clean soft rag on which have been sprinkled a few drops of oil; finish with a dry clean rag, removing all the oil. Filter or strain all the stains given below before use. The stains may be made as follows.

Black

(1) Make a strong solution of silver nitrate. After an immersion of several hours, the balls are removed and exposed to a strong light.

(2) Boil a handful of logwood chips in I 1/2 pt. of water until the liquid is reduced to 3/4 pt. Allow to cool to 100° F., and after staining, place the balls for five minutes in a solution of loz. of sulphate of iron in 1 qt. of water.

(3) Make a decoction with water and 1 lb. of galls and 2 lb. of logwood. The balls require a long immersion in this, and afterwards an immersion of a few hours in acetate of iron.

Blue

(1) Make a dilute solution of indigo sulphate containing potash or tartaric acid.

(2) Dissolve verdigris and sal-ammoniac in dilute nitric acid; afterwards dip in a strong solution of pearlash and water.

Brown

Five minutes in logwood water stain gives warm brown; half an hour, a deep chocolate brown; a ten minutes' immersion, washing, dipping in pearlash solution for one or two seconds, and again washing, a deep red brown; by substituting a minute immersion in an alum solution for the pearlash a deep purple brown is obtained.

Green

Saffron or fustic stain, followed by an indigo one; fustic is more permanent than saffron.

Red

(1) Infuse cochineal in liquor ammonia.

(2) A solution of nitro-muriate of tin, followed by a hot decoction of 1 oz. of logwood in 1 pt. of water.

(3) A decoction of brazil for fifteen minutes, followed by a solution of nitro-muriate of tin, or by a solution of pearlash for a few minutes.

(1) Boil a piece of shredded red cloth about lft. square together with 10 gr. of pearlash in 1/2 pt. of water for five or six hours. The pearlash may be left out, and afterwards 1 part of sulphuric acid may be added for every 6.3 parts of stain. An immersion of three to five minutes gives a pink colour; an immersion of two or three hours a crimson red colour.

Yellow

(1) Boil 60gr. of saffron for some hours in 1/2pt. of water; this is a fugitive stain.

(2) A more permanent one is made by boiling 4oz. of fustic dust and chips in 1 qt. of water. The yellow colour can be given an orange tint by immersing the stained balls in a brazil water stain, and the orange colour may be deepened to a redder tone by passing the balls through a solution of nitro-muriate of tin.