Soap-making is not an easy process; sometimes the ashes are poor, or the right proportions of lye and grease are not used; at other times the soap appears to be good when put up, but changes entirely after standing a few days. The last trouble usually arises from getting the soap too strong and diluting with water. If very strong, it will be thin and dark; and by adding cold water and thoroughly stirring, the color is changed many shades lighter and the mass thickened, giving it the appearance of a No. 1 article, while in reality it is very poor. Hickory-ashes are the best for soap-making, but those from sound beach, maple, or almost any kind of hard wood except oak, will answer well. A common barrel, set upon an inclined platform, makes a very good leach; but one made of boards set in a trough in V-shape is better, for the strength of the ashes is better obtained, and it may be taken to pieces when not in use, and put away. First, in the bottom of the leach, put a few sticks; over them spread a piece of carpet or woolen cloth, which is much better than straw; put on a few inches of ashes, and then from 4 to 8 qts. lime; till with moistened ashes, and pack well down. Pack the finest in the centre. It is difficult to obtain the full strength of ashes in a barrel without removing them after a day's leaching, and mixing them up and replacing. The top should he first thrown off and new ashes added to make up the proper quantity. Use boiling water for second leaching. Take about 4 gallons lye, and boil up thoroughly with 12 lbs. clear grease, then add the lye as it is obtained, keeping a slow fire and stirring often until you have a barrel of soap. After boiling the grease and 4 gallons lye together, it may be put in a barrel and the rest of the lye added there. This will form good soap if frequently stirred; but the heating process is the best, when weather and time will permit.