CHEMICAL COMPONENTS OF THE DEVELOPER.
The solutions for developments, both by the neutral oxalate and the alkaline pyro processes, should be kept in air-tight glass-stoppered bottles; in fact, rubber stoppers are superior to glass for keeping out the air, and when they can be had should be preferred.
Glass funnels and filtering paper for filtering the various solutions should always be kept handy for use.
Glass graduates are quite indispensable in preparing and mixing the developing solutions.
A balance scale is equally necessary for the same purpose.
The chemical constituents of the developing outfit are:
- Neutral oxalate of potash,
- Protosulphate of iron, for oxalate development,
- Sulphite of soda,
- Sal-soda or carbonate of soda,
- Carbonate of potash,
- Bromide of ammonium,
- Concentrated ammonia,
- Pyrogallic acid, for alkaline pyro development, etc.,
- Alum and citric acid, for clearing solution,
- Hyposulphite of soda, for fixing solution.
THE AMATEUR DARK ROOM.
It is not necessary that the amateur should have a thoroughly appointed dark room, although such a room is a great convenience and not at all difficult to construct nor expensive to keep up.
Those desiring to construct a convenient and safe dark room should consult the article on dark room in the first part of this book. Such a room might be put up in an out-building where running water could be had, but for occasional use the bath-room or any closet in the house that contained running water and is large enough to hold a small table would answer every purpose. It would be necessary to stop every crevice that would admit white light, by covering such places with heavy red orange paper. The window, if there is one, may be covered with the same paper or a heavy shawl. The room may then be lighted comfortably with Carbutt's Dry Plate Developing Lantern, which may set upon the table with the developing tray before, as in the cut.