New Dye from Poplar Wood.

Manufacturer and builder 7, 1880

Under the name of "Ericine," a fine golden-yellow dye is now prepared from the young wood of various poplars, as well as from the woody portions of heather, the botanical name of the latter (Erica vulg.) having apparently suggested that of the dye. Young branches and shoots of poplar are cut off, crushed, and brayed, and are then boiled in alum-water, the proportions allowed being 10 pounds of wood and 1 pound of powdered alum to each 3 gallons of water. The liquor is boiled from about twenty minutes to half an hour, and then filtered. In cooling it thickens and clears, throwing down a greenish-yellow deposit of resinous matter. When sufficiently clear, the liquor is again filtered, and then left exposed to the air for three or four days or more, according to the weather and the state of the atmosphere. It quickly oxidizes under the action of the light and air, and assumes a rich golden tint. In this state it can be used for dipping fabrics of all descriptions. For yellow and orange-yellow shades, it is used alone; mixed with Prussian blue, it gives green; with oak bark, brown and tan; with cochineal, etc., orange and scarlet shades. Or the coloring matter can be precipitated, and then makes a fine and perfectly innocuous yellow body-color for wall-hangings and such like purpose.