We have here a nickel-plated instrument which we call our plate-picker. This you see is about six inches long, one-quarter inch in diameter, with a broad, sharp edge at one end, while the other end is made narrow and pointed ; the broad end we use only in the developer, and the pointed end is used only in the fixer, the ends being made of different shapes so that no mistake can ever be made. We take this tool and very carefully proceed to raise one end of the plate by sliding the edge of the tool down wards at the end of the tray and then along the bottom until we are sure that it is underneath the plate. We are careful to do this in this way as otherwise we might accidentally shove the tool against the film side of the plate and scratch off part of the film and picture. Raising then the end of the plate, we grasp it with the thumb and middle finger of the left hand and raise it out of the tray, the film side being towards that hand; then take the plate with the thumb and middle finger of the right hand, and with the film side down carry it to the tap which is over the sink. With the left hand we then turn on the water and wash first the side uppermost, which is the glass side. Having done this we turn the plate so that we can again take it in the left hand, with the film side up ; then we transfer it to the right hand, the film side still being up, and in this position we let the water from the tap flow over that side of the plate. The reason why we manip ulate the plate in this vvay, and wash the back side of it first, is that because when we first hold the plate to the tap, as it is in the dark, we are not sure exactly where the end of the tap is, and if the film side were up we might accidentally scratch that against the end of the tap; but, as the back of the plate is held upper most first, in washing that side we learn just where the end of the tap is, and so when we come to wash the film side there is little danger of hitting that or scratching it. It is well also for another reason to get in the habit of removing the plate from the tray and washing it in this particular way, because we shall always know then just where the film side of the plate is and make no mistakes when we come to place it either in the fixei or the washing-box.
After this little washing under the tap we lay the plate directly in the fixer with the film side up. After this is done that tray can be covered with a sheet of pasteboard and white light be used in the dark-room. Indeed, after the plate is in the fixer there is little danger of its being injured by the gaslight.
After the plate has been in the fixer for five or six minutes, on raising one end of it, the white coating will be found to have nearly disappeared. After it has entirely disappeared, the plate should be left another minute in the fixing bath, and then re moved and washed under the tap in the same manner as when taken from the developer; then after swabbing it carefully and gently under the tap, with a wad of soft, fine cotton wool, it should be placed either in a washing-box or on a washing-board to re ceive a thorough washing. The washing-board made after our
plan (chapter V) will give a plate a thorough washing in twenty minutes, after which it should be swabbed again as above, and then it can be set in the negative rack to dry. Before we place the plate in the rack to dry we will carefully wash the glass side. Sometimes there is a little emulsion on this side, and it is easier to wash it clean now than when we get ready to print. Care must be taken during all these operations, and especially during the drying of the plates, that there shall be no circulation of dust in the dark-room, as it might settle on the plate during the drying and injure it. The plate will take from 4 to 6 hours to dry, according to its size, and no one should ever attempt to hurry up the drying by any artificial means, as the result would very likely be disastrous. It is possible to dry a plate quickly after the washing, by flowing over it alcohol, and swinging the plate in the air until dry. We do not, however, recommend this plan, as, unless very carefully managed, the film is liable to pucker.
It will frequently be the case that we have two small plates in the fixing tray at the same time, and caution should be observed in removing them. The fixing tray is usually black, so that we may not see exactly where the plates are when we have to take them out, and we therefore tilt the tray a little to show the loca tion of the plates and thus avoid injuring the film with our knife. Some of these directions may seem trivial, yet it is in just such little points that we must always exercise care.
Again, the next time we use the old developing solution (which can be used over and over again as long as it remains clear), and for that purpose pour it from its bottle into the tray, we must not return it until the bottle has had a thorough rinsing. A little of the old solution, if left in the bottle, would tend to rapidly discolor the solution poured into it.
After taking the plate from the fixer and washing it, the fingers which have touched the plate must be thoroughly washed. Our other two plates can be developed in the same solution as the first. After we are through with the developments we filter the developing solution through fine cotton wool into a clean bottle, which we set aside for future use. The fixing bath, when we are through with it, should be thrown away if it is discolored. The bisulphite of soda will keep it clear for some time, but not indefinitely.