The Dyer's Guide. Chapter II. On Dyeing Cotton. Solution of indigo for penciling printed muslin, &c.

The Dyer's Guide
Being a Compendium of the Art of Dyeing
Linen, Cotton, Silk, Wool, Muslin, Dresses, Furniture, &c. &c.
With The Method of
Scouring Wool, Bleaching Cotton, &c.
And
Directions for Ungumming Silk, And For Whitening And Sulphuring Silk And Wool.
And Also
An Inttroductory Epitome of The Leading Facts in Chemistry, As Connected With The Art of Dyeing.

By Thomas Packer,
Dyer and Practical Chemist.

"Cet arte est un des plus utiles et des plus merveilleux qu'on connoisse."
- Chaptal.

"There is no art which depends so much on chemistry as dyeing."
- Garnett.

Second Edition,
Corrected and Materially Improved.

London:
Printed for Sherwood, Gilbert, And Piper,
Paternoster-Row.
1830.
To twenty-five gallons of water, add sixteen pounds of indigo, and thirty pounds of carbonate of potash; when mixed, and placed over the fire, as soon as the mixture begins to boil, add quick lime, by a little at a time, to render the alkali caustic; then twelve pounds of red orpiment, and boil till it will give a yellow colour to transparent glass.

This form is from Haussman, Were the author to make this solution of indigo, he would first make the alkali caustic with lime, and then put the clear liquor to the other materials.

Mr. M'Kernan gives another form for pencil blue with indigo: the principal differences between which and the above, consist in adding equal parts of brown sugar and gum Senegal to it, which, in regard to the addition of the gum, is, we presume, a great improvement.

Dr. Ure (Notes to Berthollet, Vol. II. page 437.) gives a similar form from Vitalis, for topical or pencil blue; but he adds, it was much used formerly. Another blue, of less permanence but more brilliance, is now preferred; it is made thus: —

Into an earthen pot four ounces of finely ground and sifted Prussian blue are to be put. Over this must be slowly poured, stirring all the while, sufficient muriatic acid to bring it to the consistence of syrup. The mixture is to be stirred every hour for a day, and afterwards thickened with from four to eight pots (of two litres each; a litre French contains about two wine pints; ) of gumwater, according to the shade wanted.