sses in finishing. It requires a very light
and clean room, and a greater degree of heat than a general workroom. It
should, as nearly as possible, be uniform, and kept up to _summer heat_;
in no case ought the temperature to fall below fifty nor rise higher
than eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit while the varnishing process is
going on. Varnishing performed under these circumstances will be more
thorough in result, have a brighter appearance and better polish, than
if the drying is slow and under irregular temperature. For drying work,
the best kind of heat is that from a stove or furnace.

Steam heat is not so good for two reasons: (1), it is too moist and
soft, causing the work to sweat rather than to dry hard, and (2), the
temperature of a room heated by steam is liable to considerable
variation, and especially to becoming lower in the night. This _fire
heat_ is as necessary for the varnishing room in damp and cloudy weather
in summer as it is in winter. At all seasons, and by night as well as by
day, the heat should be as dry as possible, and kept uniformly up to
summer heat, by whatever means this result is secured. Varnished work,
after receiving the last coat, should be allowed to remain one day in
the varnishing room. It may then be removed into the general workroom.

A remark may be proper here, viz., that there is sometimes a failure to
secure the best and most permanent results from not allowing sufficient
time for and between the several processes. An order is perhaps to be
filled, or for some other reason the goods are "rushed through" at the
cost of thoroughness and excellence of finish.

The following suggestion is made by way of caution in reference to the
disposal of oily rags and waste made in the various processes of
finishing. These articles are regarded as very dangerous, and are
frequently the cause of much controversy between insurance companies and
parties who are insured. The best way to dispose of this waste is to put
it into the stove and burn it as fast as it is produced. If this rule
is strictly adhered to there will be no danger of fire from this source.
All liquid stock should be kept in close cans or barrels, and as far
from the fire as possible.

CHAPTER VIII.

_ENAMELLING._

The process of enamelling in oil varnishes as applied to furniture must
be understood as a smooth, glossy surface of various colours produced by
bodies of paint and varnish skilfully rubbed down, and pre