The Dyer's Guide / Being a compendium of the art of dyeing linen, cotton, silk, wool, muslin, dresses, furniture, &c. &c.; with the method of scouring wool, bleaching cotton, &c., and directions for ungumming silk, and for whitening and sulphuring silk and wool; and also an introductory epitome of the leading facts in chemistry, as connected with the art of dyeing

by Thomas Packer

Observations on CRIMSON and SCARLET upon silk.

Crimson upon silk is produced at Norwich, London, and many other places, by using a much larger quantity of cochineal than that which is directed by Macquer: for in some cases, as much as a guinea a pound, has, it is said, been paid for dyeing silk crimson at Norwich. Archil has been used, likewise, in crimson, and the time of boiling is not so long. In some shades a little of the composition and tartar may be admitted, but in a small degree. It should be stated, however, that scarlet upon silk, is often done by annatto and safflower.

Observe, that although we have given the preceding processes for crimson and scarlet, yet many others might be mentioned. What has been said in regard to dyeing scarlet on woollen, (page 85.) should also be carefully attended to, particularly relative to the conversion of scarlet into crimson by alum, soap, and the alkalies. And though we have given directions for the preparation of a nitro-muriate of tin, yet pure