tion to his ordinary ability to lay on a good polish, possess
considerable knowledge of the various kinds of wood used for furniture,
as well as the most approved method of bringing out to the fullest
extent their natural tones or tints; he should also be able to improve
the inferior kinds of wood, and to stain, bleach, or match any of the
fancy materials to which his art is applied, in a manner that will
produce the greatest perfection. The following information is given to
facilitate a thorough knowledge of the above processes.

=Improving.=--Iron filings added to a decoction of gall-nuts and vinegar
will give to ebony which has been discoloured an intense black, after
brushing over once or twice. Walnut or poor-coloured rosewood can be
improved by boiling half an ounce of walnut-shell extract and the same
quantity of catechu in a quart of soft-water, and applying with a
sponge. Half a pound of walnut husks and a like quantity of oak bark
boiled in half a gallon of water will produce much the same result.
Common mahogany can be improved by rubbing it with powdered red-chalk
(ruddle) and a woollen rag, or by first wiping the surface with liquid
ammonia, and red-oiling afterwards. For a rich mild red colour,
rectified spirits of naphtha, dyed with camwood dust, or an oily
decoction of alkanet-root. Methylated spirits and a small quantity of
dragon's blood will also produce a mild red. Any yellow wood can be
improved by an alcoholic solution of Persian berries, fustic, turmeric,
or gamboge. An aqueous decoction of barberry-root will serve the same
purpose. Birch when preferred a warm tint may be sponged with oil, very
slightly tinted with rose-madder or Venetian red; the greatest care
should be used, or it will be rendered unnatural in appearance by
becoming too red. Maple which is of a dirty-brown colour, or of a cold
grey tint, and mahogany, ash, oak, or any of the light-coloured woods,
can be whitened by the bleaching fluid (see "MATCHING"). Numerous
materials may be improved by the aid of raw linseed-oil mixed with a
little spirits of turpentine. Artificial graining may be given to
various woods by means of a camel-hair pencil and raw oil; two or three
coats should be given, and after standing for some time the ground
should have one coat of oil much diluted with spirits of turpentine, and
then rubbed off.

=Matching.=--Old mahogany furniture which has been repaired may be
easily matched by wiping over the new p