Returning now to the left side of the room, underneath a por tion of the shelf on which the dark-lantern stands, a cupboard should be made containing a shelf, and having a door, to hold developers, solutions which should be kept in the dark, and some chemicals. Also eighteen inches above the main shelf there should be another shelf on which could be kept chemicals, kits, bottles and various other articles.
A very essential item in the dark-room is a towel. Hands need washing every time they come in contact with hyposulphite soda, while developing or toning. A drop of hypo. in either of the other solutions would interfere with their action. Glasses, trays and bottles which have contained hypo. should be used for nothing else.
Everything in this room should be kept in its regular place and handy to be reached, so that one can at any time find what he wants in the dark.
If it is possible, and it would add immensely to the con venience of the room, there should be a gas-burner over the shelf on the right, to give light when not developing, and for use in making lantern slides, toning, etc.; from which also gas could be conveyed by a small iron pipe or rubber tube to the dark-lantern.
It is not by any means necessary that the amateur should make his own dark-lantern, as they can be obtained ready-made from any dealer in photographic supplies. As many, however, may prefer a home-made lantern which will answer for every purpose, we describe the manner of its construction.
It can be made of half-inch stuff, eighteen inches high, ten or twelve inches wide and deep, The lower front (B) is cut off across the corner, and the opening covered with two thicknesses of yellow post-office paper, through which the light comes for the developing. A door should be
made in the side, with hinges, and cracks covered to keep light from coming through. A number of small holes should be bored in the back, just above the bottom, to let in air for the lamp. For light, a candle, or small lamp or gas can be used. In the top, over the lamp, there should be a hole cut, at least two inches in diameter, and a metal pipe inserted for a ventilator. This pipe should have an elbow in it to cut off light. The top of the box inside should be lined with asbestos paper to prevent any danger of fire. The upper front (A) should be covered with two thicknesses of orange paper. A sheet of pasteboard in front of A, held in place by pins, will keep the light from the eyes while developing.
In the writer's own lantern, in place of covering the beveled opening with orange paper, he uses one sheet of orange glass, one of ruby glass, and one of ground glass. The two thicknesses of orange paper are, however, quite as good.
If a small kerosene lamp is used in this lantern, a wire rod can be attached to the arrangement for raising and lowering the wick, so that the light can be turned up or down from the outside.
To be certain that the dark-lantern gives a safe light, it should be tested by exposing half of a plate (the other half being covered) before the lantern for a minute. If on developing, the exposed portion is as clear as the unexposed part, the light is safe. The dark-room itself should be tested in the same way by exposing half of a quick plate live minutes. This is very necessary, and may save the fogging of innumerable plates, the cause of which is unsuspected.