Paste for paper bags. Add to 3 parts of starch 24 to 30 parts of cold water. Stir together to a homogeneous mass of about the thickness of syrup. Pour over this, stirring constantly, boiling water until the paste is of the required consistency. Stir until nearly cold. Take a portion of the paste and add to it 6 to 15 per cent. liquefied Venice turpentine; rub together until a kind of emulsion is formed, then mix the whole together and work thoroughly.
Caseine mucilage for photographer’s use. Separate the caseine from milk by means of a little tartaric acid, and treat the caseine while still warm with a solution of 6 parts of borax to 100 parts water, and warm gently while stirring which will cause the caseine to be dissolved. Of the borax solution enough should be used to leave only a little undissolved caseine behind.
Paste for scrap-books. Rice starch 1 oz., gelatine 3 drachms, water ½ pint.
Heat, stirring constantly, until the milky fluid becomes thick and gluey. When the paste is nearly thick put in a bottle closely corked. It is well to add a few drops of oil of cloves to each bottle.
Paste for skins. Pour enough boiling water over 1 lb. of rye flour in a basin to make a stiff paste, almost as stiff as ordinary dough for puddings. Stir and beat up well with a stick for three or four minutes, then cover up and let it stand for two days before using, when it will be much softer and stick better. Spread thinly and evenly on the back of the skin with a stiff brush or pad. It will stick firmly and not crack.
Strong mucilage capable of fastening wood or china and glass together is made of 3½ ozs. of strong gum arabic solution, to which a solution of 30 grains of sulphate of aluminium dissolved in ⅔ oz. of water is added.
Dextrine mucilage. I. Dissolve with the assistance of heat 60 parts of borax in 420 parts of water, add 480 parts of pale yellow dextrine and 50 parts of glucose, and heat carefully, stirring constantly until solution is complete, replacing the water lost by evaporation. Strain through flannel.
The resulting mucilage is quite clear, has great adhesive power, and dries very quickly. In heating the mixture, great care should be exercised not to exceed a temperature of 194° F. and not to heat too long, otherwise the product readily becomes brown and brittle.
II. Dextrine 120 parts, powdered alum 6, sugar 30, carbolic acid 1, distilled water 300. Gradually mix the dextrine, alum and sugar with the water, effect solution by boiling and when the solution is cold, add the carbolic acid.
Paste for joining leather to pasteboard. Dissolve 50 parts of strong glue with a little water at a gentle heat, then add a small quantity of Venice turpentine, and next a thick paste made with 100 parts of starch in water. Apply quickly when cold.