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water must be put in. If they do not run, or any appearance of them, continue boiling for a short while longer, and then add a pail of salt and water pretty strong, mixed together; about one-third salt, and two-thirds water. This will have the effect to cut up the pan, or separate the soap and water completely from one another. When this is apparent, draw the fire; let it stand for half an hour, when the water will pump off, bringing therewith most of the remaining alkaline leys of the former boil.
This I call the first washing; and if kelp-ley has been used in the operation, the propriety of this must be conspicuous, for the water pumped off will be of an exceeding dark bottle green colour. The finishing of white soap without this precaution, is the sole cause of that blueness so frequently observed in that article when made and brought to market.
