Encyclopedia of Practical Receipts and Processes

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To Harden Tallow Candles

The following mixtures for hardening tallow candles are patented in England. The candles are successively and rapidly dipped, first in Mixture I., which consists of stearic acid, stearic acid, 50 parts; tallow, 44 parts; camphor, 3 parts; TANNING. white resin, 2 parts; and gum damar, 1 part. about 3 weeks; thick hides, suitable for sole- When cool and hard they are dipped into Mix- leather, take from 12 to 18 months. Various ture II., which consists of stearic acid, 70 modifications have been introduced into the parts; tallow, 24 parts; camphor, 3 parts; process , for the purpose of reducing the time white wax, 2 parts; gum damar, 1 part; and required for tanning, but so far with only modfinally into Mixture III., which is composed erate success, as the leather so produced is 1 of stearic acid, 90 parts; tallow, 5 parts; camphor, 3 parts; white wax, 2 parts. spongy and inferior in quality. goat or sheep skins; which, after the action of 643. Morocco Leather is prepared from lime water and a dung bath, are slightly tanned in a bath of sumach, and subsequently grained and dressed. 638. To Harden Tallow by Capaccioni's Process. Melt 1000 parts tallow, and Process.

Melt 1000 parts tallow, and gradually stir into it 7 parts sugar of lead previously dissolved in water, being careful to keep the mass constantly agitated during the process.

In a few minutes diminish the heat, and add 15 parts incense (powdered) with 1 part turpentine , keeping the mass constantly stirred as before.

Then allow the mixture to remain warm until the insoluble parts of the incense settle to the bottom, usually several hours. By this process the sugar of lead so hardens the tallow that it yields a material very similar to stearine (stearic acid), while having cut off the useless parts, and softened the incense improves its odor. It is said that the skin by soaking, remove the fatty matter tallow treated in this way, when made into from the inside and soak it in warm water for candles, will not gutter or run. tanned with a decoction of willow bark, after 644. Russia Leather is generally which it is dyed, and curried with the empyreumatic oil of the birch tree. It is this oil which imparts to Russia leather its peculiar odor, and power of resisting mould and damp.

This will be found an excellent plan for tan- 645.

To Tan any kind of Fur Skins. ning any kind of skin with the fur on.

After 639. To Harden and Whiten Tallow saltpetre, and glauber salts (sulphate of soda), an hour. Next, mix equal parts of borax, for Summer Use. Gently boil the tallow in the proportion of about 1/2 ounce of each for Summer Use. Gently boil the tallow in the proportion of about ounce of each for with the addition of a little beeswax, 1 or 2 each skin , with sufficient water to make a hours a day for 2 days, in a suitable kettle, thin paste ; spread this with a brush over the adding weak lye and skimming often; cut it inside of the skin, applying more on the thickout of the pot when cold, and scrape off the er parts than on the thinner: double the skin underneath soft portion, adding fresh but together , flesh side inwards, and place it in a weak lye before the second boiling. The cool place.

After standing 24 hours, wash the third day simmer, and skim it, in water con- skin clean , and apply, in the same manner as taining 1 pound of alum and 1 pound saltpe- before, a mixture of 1 ounce sal soda,+ ounce tre for each 30 pounds of tallow. When cold borax, and 2 ounces hard white soap, melted it can be taken off the water for use. thus treated will make good hard white can- fold together again and put away in a warm Tallow slowly together without being allowed to boil; dles for summer purposes. ounces alum, 8 ounces salt, and 2 ounces salplace for 24 hours. After this, 4 eratus, in sufficient hot rain water to saturate the skin; when cool enough not to scald the hands, soak the skin in it for 12 hours; then wring out and hang it up to dry. When dry repeat this soaking and drying 2 or 3 times, till the inside with fine sand paper and pumice the skin is sufficiently soft. Lastly, smooth smooth stone. 640. To Harden Tallow for Making Candles. Use 1 pound of alum for each 5 .

Use 1 pound of alum for each 5 pounds of tallow. Dissolve the alum in wapounds of tallow. Dissolve the alum in water, then put in the tallow and stir until both are melted together, then run in moulds.

Candles made in this way will be as hard and white as wax.

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