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To prepare wood for dyeing

The wood mostly used to dye black, is pear-tree, holly, and beach, all of which take a beautiful black colour. Do not use wood that has been long cut, or aged, but let it be as fresh as possible. After the veneers have had one hour's boiling, and then taken out to cool, the colour is always much stronger. When dyed, they should be dried in the air, and not by the fire, nor in a kiln of any kind, as artificial heat tends to destroy the colour. In order to dye blue, green, red or other colours, take clear holly. Put the veneers into a box or trough, with clear water, and let them remain four or five days, changing the water once or twice as occasion may require, the water will clear the wood of slime, &c. Let them dry about twelve hours before they are put into the dye; the colour will strike quicker, and be of a brighter hue.