Staining wood is altogether a different process from dying it, and requires no preparation before the stain be applied: it is peculiarly useful to bedstead and chair makers. In preparing the stain, but little trouble is required; and, generally speaking, its application differs very little from that of painting. When carefully done, and properly varnished, staining has a very beautiful appearance, and is much less likely to meet with injury than japanning.

To Make Imitation Rosewood

Brush the wood over with a strong decoction of logwood, while hot; repeat this process three or four times; put a quantity of iron-filings amongst vinegar; then, with a fiat, open brush, made with a piece of cane, bruised at the end, or split with a knife, apply the solution of iron-filings and vinegar to the wood in such a manner as to produce the fibres of the wood required. After it is dry, the wood must be polished with turpentine and bees'-wax,

Brown Veined Stain, Or Imitation Of Rosewood

For the ground, make a stain by boiling 16 parts of logwood in 64 parts of water, till the liquor acquires a deep red colour. Then add one part of carbonate of potash, and apply the stain hot, letting the work become nearly dry between each coat, till a good rosewood ground be formed; after which let it become quite dry.

To form the veins, heat the black stain above described, as used for the last coat, and with a graining brush, such as is used by painters, make the dark veins on the work. The veins should be disposed to represent the dark parts of the natural wood with as much taste and skill as possible.