Important: Safety Warning
This page describes practices involving highly flammable materials in ways that create a serious risk of fire or explosion.
In addition, this page describes trade processes that use dangerously toxic materials such as cyanide solutions, mercury amalgams, or strong acids. These processes require training, equipment, and precautions far beyond what the text describes.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
Home › Miscellaneous Receipts › To Mend a Balloon or Gas-Bag
To Mend a Balloon or Gas-Bag
Paint 4 or more coats of the varnish described in the last receipt, around the hole in the bag, allowing each coat to dry before the applica- ing of the note. The paper is distinguished: tion of the next. Treat a piece of fine strong By its peculiar color, such as is neither sold muslin in the same way. The last coat on in the stores nor used for any other purpose. each should be pretty thick, and, when nearly By its thinness and transparency, qualities dry, apply the patch to the bag, and press which prevent any portion of the printing on evenly and quite firmly together. When at the note being washed or scratched out withlast the whole is dry, press with a warm iron, out a hole being made. By its characteristic and then paint the surface of the new piece feel, which consists of a singular crispness and with a coat or two of the varnish. If nicely toughness, owing to the fact that the bank done, the bag will be as strong as ever. paper is made from new linen and cotton, not Chloroform may be used in place of the bisul- from rags. By the peculiar wire-mark or phide of carbon.