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To Harden Alabaster

Expose good color for busts, medallions, &c. For the unpolished articles for from 12 to 24 hours rough and architectural purposes, the colors to a heat about equal to that of a baker's are commonly added to a solution of clear oven; withdraw from the heat, and when con- size, which is then made into a paste with siderably cooled, immerse them for from 2 to 5 minutes in pure river water. The operation may be repeated a second time, and 3 or 4 days are allowed to elapse before polishing them.

A weak solution of alum in water may be substituted for the river water. 2023. To Dress Plaster of Paris with Wax in Imitation of Alabaster. Dip the cast or model, previously warmed, and suspended by a fine silken cord or wire into the purest white wax, melted in any suitable vesplaster. In this manner colored stucco of great hardness and durability is produced.

Objects formed from the solid alabaster may be stained in the same way, and with the same materials, as marble. (See Nos. 2036, &c.)