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Dickson's Cochineal Coloring

Mix together 2 ounces spirit of wine and 6 ounces water. In 3 ounces of this mixture infuse 1 ounce powdered cochineal for 15 minutes, in a flask heated to nearly boiling point. Pour the infusion into another vessel, and repeat the process with 3 ounces more of the mixed spirit and water; and a third time, with the remaining 2 ounces. Let the liquid stand till cold, when some fatty matter will rise to the surface; filter, adding spirit and water, up to eight fluid ounces. Lastly, add sufficient strong water of ammonia to change the infusion to the desired tint. The coloring is thus prepared without carbonate of potash, alum, etc., and is free from the objections that attach to the coloring obtained by the aid of those substances. (Scc last receipt.) These objections are:-1st, the coloring matter is thrown down as a lake, and after some time forms a layer at the bottom of the containing vessel, requiring the addition of ammonia to re-dissolve and keep it in solution; and-2d, it does not keep well. On the other hand, the advantages of Dickson's preparation are:-1st, the coloring-matter remains in solution, and -2d, it keeps well, and has no unpleasant odor. ensues, and the mixture soon assumes the consistence of a thin paste. Leave it for 24 hours, and then dilute with 8 or 9 ounces water, and bottle it. The whole may be further diluted with a quart of water and still retain a sufficiently dark color for washing muslins, etc. The common blue writing fluid is thus prepared.