BOOT-TOP LIQ′UID

Syn. Boot′-top compos i′′tion. There are numerous articles of this cla extant, but, with few exceptions, they are most unchemical mixtures, not infrequently containing ingredients which are either unnece ary, or opposed to the action of the rest. The following are examples:— Prep. a. White-top :—1. Oxalic acid and white vitriol, of each 1 oz. ; water, 1 1 ⁄ 2 pint; di olve. It is applied with a sponge, the leather having been previously washed with water; after a short time it is washed off with water, when the boot-tops are either dried in a current of air or by a gentle heat; they are lastly either polished with a brush, so as to appear like new leather, or they are left rough, as the case may require. 2. Sour milk, 1 quart; butter of antimony, cream of tartar, tartaric acid, and burnt alum, of each 2 oz.; mix. 3. Sour milk (skimmed), 3 pints; cream of tartar, 2 oz. ; alum and oxalic acid, of each 1 oz. 4. Alum, cream of tartar, magnesia, and oxalic acid, of each 1 oz. ; salt of sorrel and sugar lead, of each 1 ⁄ 4 oz. ; water, 1 quart. The preceding are for white tops. b. Brown-top :—Alum, annatto, and oxalic acid, of each 1 oz. ; isingla and sugar of lead, of each 1 ⁄ 2 oz. ; salt of sorrel, 1 ⁄ 4 oz. ; water, 1 quart; boil for 10 minutes. c. Saffron, 15 grains; boiling water, 2 oz. ; infuse and strain. Add tincture of rhubarb 1 1 ⁄ 2 oz. ; concentrated infusion of rhubarb, to make up to 4 oz.