over them. In cleaning the tops, let the covering fall down over the boot; wash the tops clean with soap and flannel, and rub out any spots with pumice-stone. If the tops are to be whiter, dissolve an oz. of oxalic acid, ½ an oz. of muriatic acid, ½ an oz. of alum, ½ an oz. of gum-arabic, and ½ an oz. of spirit of lavender, in 1½ pints of skimmed milk "turned." Apply these mixtures by means of a sponge, and, when dry, polish with a rubber made of soft flannel.
BOOT POLISH
Take 4 ozs. of ivory-black, 4 ozs. of treacle, 1 oz. of sulphuric acid, 2 spoonfuls of best olive oil, 1½ pints of best white-wine vinegar: mix the ivory-black and treacle well in an earthen jar; then add the sulphuric acid, and stir; next pour in the oil; and, lastly, add the vinegar, stirring it in by degrees, until thoroughly incorporated.
JAPAN BLACKING FOR BOOTS AND SHOES
Take 8 parts of treacle, 1 part lamp-black, 1 part sweet oil, 1 part gum-arabic, 1 part isinglass, 32 parts water, 1 oz. of spirits of wine, and a little ox-gall. Mix the treacle, lamp-black, sweet oil, gum and isinglass in the water; set the pipkin over the fire to heat, stirring it well; add the spirits of wine and ox-gall, and as soon as possible bottle it. Warm the bottle before using the blacking, which must be put on with a sponge.
BLACKING (Five Methods)
- Mix 12 ozs. of ivory-black, 1 oz. of olive oil, 8 ozs. of treacle and ½ an oz. of powdered gum-arabic into a paste, then gradually add 2 quarts of vinegar and stir well. Next add 1½ ozs. of sulphuric acid.
- Rub of a ¼ lb. of ivory-black, ¼ of a lb. of treacle, and 1 oz. of sweet oil together until the oil is quite "killed," then gradually add 1 oz. of vitriol, diluted with three or four times its weight of water. Mix well and let stand for 3 or 4 hours, when it may be reduced to its proper consistence with water or sour beer.
- Mix 2 ozs. of ivory-black, 2 ozs. of brown sugar-candy, and 1 tablespoonful of sweet oil; add gradually 1 pint of cold vinegar and stir the whole gently until incorporated.
- Dissolve 8 ozs. of gum-arabic and 2 ozs. of treacle in a pint of ink and 2 ozs. of vinegar; then strain and add the spirits.
- Rub 1 lb. of ivory-black in fine powder, ¾ of a lb. of molasses and 2 ozs. of sweet oil together until the oil is quite "killed"; then add 1 pint of beer, and 1 pint of vinegar.
TO POLISH BROWN BOOTS
Remove stains with lemon juice, and polish with beeswax dissolved in turpentine.
