A hair sieve. This is not absolutely necessary, as a fine piece of linen will answer as well.
Size:—
| (1). | 1 quart of water. |
| ½ ounce of powdered alum. | |
| 1 ounce of isinglass. | |
| 1 scruple of soap. |
Simmer the whole for about one hour, then pass through a fine hair sieve or piece of linen. Use this whilst warm.
| (2.) | 1 gallon of water. |
| ½ lb. of best glue. | |
| 2 ounces of powdered alum. |
Simmer and use as above.
| (3). | 1 quart of water. |
| 2½ ounces of isinglass. | |
| 2 drachms of alum. |
Simmer the whole for about one hour, strain as above.
It must be remembered that a size too strong in glue or isinglass is liable to make the paper too brittle; again, some papers require a stronger size than others.
(4). A size that may be used cold, and is recommended in France, to keep at hand and to use when only a single leaf requires sizing, such as when a name has been erased from a title-page, is as follows:—Boil about a quart of water in a saucepan. Whilst boiling, add about two oz. of shellac and ½ oz. of borax; the borax will dissolve the shellac, which will be held in suspension; the whole must then be passed through a fine hair sieve, or piece of linen, to rid it of all pieces or impurities. This will keep a very long time, and may be used over and over again.
Great care must be exercised that not too much shellac is used, or the paper will be rendered transparent.
