In using this plain paper we print several shades deeper than in using ready sensitized paper: the prints are toned and fixed in. the same manner as the other prints and washed in the same way. They will not need to be passed through any salt water bath after the fixing, as they do not blister. The borax bath is altogether the best that can be used for toning these prints. It is very essential that the washing before toning should be thorough. We usually soak them in a tray for an hour, changing the water at least eight times.
An excellent way of using this plain paper is to sensitize an extra heavy paper, and then make the prints in the center so as to leave a broad margin of white outside; that is to say, suppose kve have our sensitized paper 8x10, then we cut some sheets of thick, black paper 8x10 inches outside and cut' in the center of these square openings which shall take in all of the 5x8 negative that we wish to use. A good size for these openings for 5x8 prints would be 6i or 7 inches long and 41 inches wide. Care must be taken, of course, to have the sides of the openings par allel to the outside of the paper. Others, with the same outside, might be cut to make prints from 4x5 or quarter size plates. In using these masks the negative is laid face up on the large plate of glass in one of the 8x10 printing-frames, then the mask is laid over the negative, care being taken to see that it covers the edges of the negative completely, and then the sensitized paper is placed upoa this. When printing, care must be taken in set ting the frame in the window or elsewhere, to handle it gently, as' a jar might slightly move the negative and blur the print.
If one is so situated that he has the use of a copying press, he can very materially add to the elegance of these prints by pressing a plate mark upon them. To do this cut
several sheets of thin mounting card so that they shall be about half an inch longer and wider than the prints, taking pains to have the edges smooth, straight and sharp. For instance, if the picture is 4-1x6i inches, the card should be. cut 5x7 inches, and the corners very slightly rounded. When the print, after the final washing, is almost dry, lay it upon two sheets of dean blotting paper, and, upon the picture, lay the prepared card so that it shall extend beyond the picture just a quarter of an inch each way, which can be done accurately by marking its position with a pencil; over this lay a sheet of dean paper, and cover this with another sheet of blotting paper. This is then laid carefully in the press, and given a moderate pressure, allowing it to remain in the press for five or ten minutes, till the print has become dry. If all this is neatly done, the result will be a beautiful picture, in finish equal to fine engravings or etchings which are so much admired.
All prints, especially of landscapes, whether in albumen, plain salted, or blue paper, can be trimmed fearlessly. It is seldom necessary to print the full size of the negative. Frequently there is something at each side or top or bottom that may be omitted, which will add to the finish of the picture. Therefore, make opaque masks of different sizes and shapes, oblong, oval, round, and shave down the paper around the inside to make it very thin at the edge, and cover the mask with white tissue paper. This should then be laid in the printing frame under the negative, and the printing done in sunlight. Try this and see what beautiful pictures it will make.