Some graduated measures for making up solutions and bolding developers must be procured. One of 8 oz., two of 4 oz., and one of 1 drain capacity should be chosen.
A wooden plate-draining rack (fig. 11), for stacking the plates upon after they have been washed, and while they are dry ing, will be required.
Some printing frames, of half-plate size, for holding tbe negative and paper during printing, must also be obtained. The pine frames are the neatest, and cost about ls. each. Three will be sufficient at first.
A pair of scales and weights with glass pans, and a set of grain and drachm weights, will nearly complete the list of requisites.
I have, as yet, said nothing about chemicals, but I shall proceed to give a complete list of those that will be required. All chemical substances, when in the form of either crystals or powder, should be preserved from the effects of the atmosphere by being kept in either wide-mouthed glass bottles or jars. These can be purchased at very small cost, or even ordinary pickle jars, which have been thoroughly cleaned and dried, may be employed, provided they are fitted with a sound bung, which may be made to fit tighter, and at the same time will be more easily removable, if a circular piece of clean wash leather, slightly larger than the bung itself, be first of all wrapped round it. Some sub stances, from their volatile or corrosive nature, require to be kept in stoppered bottles, and these will be denoted by an asterisk. It is, presumably, unnecessary to add that all chemicals and solutions should be stored out of the reach of children, and by preference kept under lock and key. The amateur who has no chemical knowledge should be informed that many of the substances which he will have occasion to employ are exceedingly active poisons, therefore the necessity for caution will be apparent. It is unnecessary to add that all bottles should be properly labelled—books of labels can be purchased for about 6d.
The following chemicals will be required,— Pyrogallic acid (1 oz.), price about ls. ld. This substance is of a very poisonous nature, although the fact is not generally known among photographers. There are, however, few cases on record where it has been taken internally. Its effects on the human system
are slow, and there are no certain antidotes. I only mention the matter here because pyro., as it is usually called, is so very generally and often care lessly used in entire ignorance of its poisonous properties.
Sulphite of soda (1 lb.), cost about ls. This chemical is added to the developer to prevent the pyrogallic acid from becoming discoloured, which it rapidly does without this addition.
Bromide of potassium (2 oz.), about 4d.
Hyposulphite of soda (6 lb.), ls.
*Liquid ammonia (•880) (4 oz.), 4d. This is exceed ingly volatile, and must be kept in a stoppered bottle. The fumes are very pungent and injurious to inhale; therefore, in opening the bottle care should be taken to hold it well away from the face.
Oxalate of potash (1 lb.), 10d.
Sulphate of iron (1 lb.), 3d.
Acetate of soda (I lb.), 4d.
Chloride of gold (Johnson's) (15 gr. tube), Is. 9d. Alum (1 lb.), 2d.
Citric acid (i lb.), Gd.
*Glacial acetic acid (2 oz.), 6d.
Bichloride of mercury (1 oz.), 4d.
*Perchloride of iron (1 oz.), 4d.
*Sulphuric acid, 1 oz.
Hydroquinone, 1 oz.
The cost of the foregoing chemicals, with the necessary bottles to contain them, will be about ten shillings, and, although a smaller quantity might be sufficient for the beginner's immediate needs, yet it will be found more economical to purchase in quantity, the rate per ounce being, in most cases, considerably higher than that per pound. The chemicals should always be the best obtainable. Cheap chemicals are worse than useless, therefore always go to a respectable dealer for them.
In addition to the apparatus already referred to, two camel's-hair brushes should be obtained, one a flat one abort lZ in. broad, and the other an ordinary round mop, such as is used for water-colour painting. The former is to be kept for the special purpose of dusting each plate, both before it is placed in the dark slide, and afterwards when it is re moved from the slide and placed in the developer. The smaller brush is to be used to remove any air bubbles from the plate, which sometimes form when it is in the developer. This must be washed after use, or the solution will quickly cause its destruction.