Recent Foreign Inventions. Hardening and Colouring Artificial Stone and Cements.

Scientific American 13, 10.12.1853

B. Barrett, of Ipswich, Eng., patentee.

The inventor introduces the liquid indurating substance into an exhausted chamber containing the stone to be indurated, the liquid substance being previously heated to a temperature of about 50° or 60° Fah. When the stone requires to be colored the color si laid on with a brush and allowed to dry, bedore the induating process is commenced. The mixture emloyed by the inventor for indurating stone is composed of 56 parts, by weight, of sulphur, dissolved by the aid of steam or dry heat, and 44 parts of diluted vinegar, or acetic acid, containing 17 parts of acid to 8 of water.

In preparing indurating mixtures to be applied to the exteriors and interiors of buildings, whether the surface be of brick, stone, cement, or plaster, he employs -

Mixture 1.
14 parts by weight of shellac, 14 parts of seed lac, 1 part of coarse turpentine, and 14 parts of pyroligneous spirit.

Mixture 2.
Gutta percha dissolved in coal tar, naphtha, or other suitable solvent, in the proportion of 3 parts by weight, of gutta percha, and 8 parts of the solvent.

Mixture 3.
One bushel of limestone or chalk, 12 gallons of water, 12 lbs. of alum, half a gallon of beer grounds, and half a gallon of gall, well mixed together.

These solutions, when heated, are to be laid on with a brush until the surface will absorb no more.