BLACKLEAD, a name for graphite (q.v.) or plumbago. Preparations of graphite are commonly sold as "blacklead," and were at one time largely used for the cleaning and brightening of iron firegrates and iron fenders. Many homes were at one time, and some still are, fitted with iron stoves made upon the supposi tion that their users would regularly coat them with blacklead. This dirty and unnecessary work has been rendered obsolete by the introduction of better-finished appliances. In moulding with wax, blacklead is used as a coating for the mould in order to keep it from sticking.