The ferrotype and how to make it - The Grian Press

122 THE FERROTYPE.
appear on the plate when the holder or slide ia
dirty.
In view of the many defects that arise from
dust and dirt in the dark-room, in the plate-holder
and in the other vessels and receptacles, it can
not but strike the attention of the reader that
the best way is to keep every thing perfectly clean,
and the camera-box and plate-holder in thorough
repair and good working order. The number of
" take overs '^ which are rendered necessary in a
good many establishments, every week, by dust
from the dark-room, stains, etc., from the plate-
holder, and by diffused light in the camera-box,
holder and dark-room, cost a great deal more than
would suffice to keep these things in first-rate order
and scrupulously clean.
Another source of failures and annoyance, is
finger-marks on the surface of the plate. If the
operator himself cuts the plates, these can only
be entirely avoided by wearing gloves while so
engaged. But when the plates are purchased cut
to the regular sizes, there is no excuse for such
marks and stains, as the plates should always be
handled in the most dainty manner imaginable, by
the two edges, unless when " flowing ^^ with Collo-
dion, or during the process of development, and
then the' smallest portion of the corner, only suf-
ficient to afford a safe hold, should be taken be-
tween the thumb and finger, as stains and streaks
very frequently result from contact of the de-
veloper with the thumb during development.