Madder is difficult to dye as it easily rubs off and the following points should be noted.
(1). The baths should be quite clean. Rusty baths must not be used.
(2). Before dyeing, the wool must be thoroughly washed so as to get rid of all superfluous mordant.
(3). A handful of bran to the pound of wool, helps to brighten the colour.
(4). The wool should be entered into a tepid dye bath and raised to boiling in 1 hour and boiled for 10 minutes or less.
(1) RED
Mordant with 1/4 lb. Alum to the pound of wool. Boil for 1 hour, let cool in mordant, wring out and put away in bag for 3 or 4 days. Wash very thoroughly. Then dye with 5 to 8 ozs. madder according to depth of colour required, and a handful of bran for every pound of wool. Enter in cool bath and bring slowly to the boil in an hour or more. Boil for a few minutes.
(2) ROSE RED
Mordant with Alum. Dye with 4 to 4-1/2 ozs. madder to lb. wool and a very small quantity of logwood (1/2 oz. to 1 oz. to 3 or 4 lbs. of wool).