Locksmiths and others, says the Home Companion, working at the forge are accustomed to blacken the articles intended for railroads by making them red-hot, and burning on them some linseed oil. This plan, which is practised to improve the appearance of the articles and to protect them from rusting; is not economical nor always successful; it fails when the combustion of the oil has been too great By the following process a varnish is made without the above disadvantages, which gives to the articles a better appearance: Dissolve, in about two pounds of tar-oil, something more than half a pound of asphaltum, and a like quantity of pounded resin; the mixing is performed hot in an iron kettle, care being taken to prevent any contact with the flame. When cold the varnish is poured into a vessel and kept for use. These varnishes are for out-door wood and iron-work, not for japanning, leather, or cloth. Oil varnishes are used for patent leather, and copal for japanning metal - Builder, in London Gardeners' Chronicle.