off; this is called crossing. After crossing it should be laid off softly and carefully in a direction contrary to the crossings, but with the grain of the wood, taking care that none of the cross brush marks be left visible. The criterion of good workmanship is, that the paint be laid evenly and the brush marks be not observed. In laying off, the brush should be laid into that portion of the work already done, that the joining may not be perceived. Every coat should be perfectly dry, and all dust carefully removed before the succeeding one is laid over it.
In the third painting some approach is made to the finishing color. Thus, if the finishing color is to be lavender, the third coat should consist of white, slightly tinted with that color. In some cases it is desirable that the coat preceding the finishing should be darker than that which is to be laid over it.
In the third painting, the oil and turpentine should be used in equal proportions.
The fourth may be considered as the finishing coat, although a fifth is often given, and always with great advantage. The finishing coat must not by any means be applied unless the third coat proves perfectly satisfactory; that is, unless the surface has dried absolutely uniform, as regards surface, for if one part is glossy and the other dull it will be clear that the absorbent quality is not stopped and the third painting must be repeated.
In commencing to repaint old work, the surface should, in the first case, be gone over with the stopping knife, removing all excrescences, and it is then to be rubbed with pumice stone and water, the greasy parts being well rubbed with turpentine.
Parts from which the paint has been entirely removed and decayed patches must then be gone over with a coat of priming color, and cracks and holes are to be made good with stopping. The first coat is then to be given and this is to be mixed with turpentine. The quality of the next
