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by Joseph W. Zaehnsdorf
3rd Edition Published in London 1897
although it contributes greatly to the preservation of the
leather. Resin as used by shoemakers is preferable, and in
effect works in the same way; but oil of turpentine has a
greater effect. Anything of strong odour, like aniseed,
bergamot, mixed perfectly but in small quantities, preserves the
paste during an unlimited time.
Or, make the paste with flour, throw in a small quantity of
ground sugar and a portion of corrosive sublimate. The sugar
makes it plaint and prevents the formation of crust on the top.
The sublimate prevents insects and fermentation. This salt
does not prevent moisture, but as two or three drops of oil are
sufficient to prevent it, all causes of destruction are thus
guarded against. This paste exposed to the air hardens
without decomposition. If it is kept in an air-tight pot or jar, it
will be always ready, without any other preparation.
Books placed in a library should be thoroughly dusted tow or
three times a year, not only to keep them in all their freshness,
that care, which unfortunately is neglected very often. After having taken a book from the shelves it should not be
opened before ascertaining if the top edge be dusty. If it is a book that has had the edge cut, the dust should be
removed with a soft duster, or simply blown off. If it is a book which has uncut edges it should be brushed with rather
a hard brush. By this method in opening the volume one need not be afraid that the dirt will enter between the
leaves and soil them.
Glue-The best glue may be known by its paleness, but French glue is now manufactured of inferior quality, made pale
by the use of acid, but which on boiling turns almost black. Good glue immersed in water for a day will not dissolve,
but swell, while inferior will partly or wholly do so, according to quality.
In preparing glue, a few cakes should be broken into pieces and placed in water for twelve hours, then boiled and
turned out into a pan to get cold; when cold, pieces may be cut out and placed in the glue-pot as wanted. This
naturally refers to when large quantities are used, but small portions may be boiled in the glue-pot after soaking in
water.
Glue loses a great deal of its strength by frequent remelting. It should always be used as hot as possible.
Rice glue or paste-By mixing rice flour intimately with cold water, and then gently boiling it, a beautifully white and
strong paste is made. It dries almost transparent, and is a most useful paste for fine or delicate work.
Paste-For ordinary purposes paste consists simply of flour made into a thin cream with water and boiled. It then
forms a stiffish mass, which may be diluted with water so as to bring it to any required condition. It is sometimes of
advantage to add a little common glue to the paste. Where paste is kept for a long time, various ingredients may be
added to prevent souring and moulding. A few cloves form perhaps the best preservative for small quantities; on the
larger scale carbolic acid may be used; salicylic acid is also a good preservative, a few grains added to the freshly
prepared paste will entirely prevent souring and moulding.
Past is now made on a commercial scale by various Paste Cos., who send it out to all parts. The paste is exceedingly
good, and keeps a long time.
Photographs-A few words respecting the treatment of photographs may not be out of place here.
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