More recently, Honey has been employed by Mr. Shadbolt.[52] This substance can scarcely be termed deliquescent, but it possesses, like other uncrystallizable sugars, the property of remaining moist and sticky for a long time. Honey is, according to the Author's views, superior to inorganic deliquescent salts as a preservative agent, from its possessing an affinity for Oxides of Silver, and thus acting chemically in communicating organic intensity to the image.--Collodion plates when kept long in a moist and sensitive state often give a pale and blue image, even although the Nitrate of Silver be left upon the film; and neither Nitrate of Magnesia nor Glycerine appears capable of supplying the deficient element, both being nearly or quite indifferent to the Salts of Silver. [52] A claim has lately been advanced by Mr. Maxwell Lyte to be considered as the discoverer of the Honey Process. This gentleman appears to have worked simultaneously with Mr. Shadbolt, and to have anticipated him in publishing; but the object of Mr. Lyte's process was rather to increase the sensibility of the plates than to confer upon them keeping qualities. THE HONEY AND OXYMEL KEEPING PROCESSES. When the weather is cool, Collodion plates may be preserved with tolerable certainty for a few hours, by simply applying Honey to them in the state in which they are taken from the Nitrate of Silver Bath. The best pure Virgin Honey should be obtained by dripping it immediately from the comb. This point is of importance, since if the sample of honey be of inferior quality, or adulterated, the process may not succeed. The quantity of water to be added will vary with the consistence of the honey, from about an equal bulk to two parts: it should be sufficient to make the preservative solution pass slowly through filtering-paper. After the plate is removed from the Nitrate Bath, it is to be drained and wiped on the back in the usual way. The Honey is then poured along the edge in such a manner as to form a broad wave which forces the Nitrate of Silver solution before it and covers the film. Next drain the plate into a measure and pour on a second portion of Honey as before. This second dose may be used again for the first application to the succeeding plate. Lastly, stand the glass on blotting-paper in a dark place for about a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes, and wipe the lower edge before putting it into the plate box. The exposure required will probably be about four or five times as long as that for new and sensitive Collodion, or twice as long as the exposure required for old and brown Collodion. Before applying the developer, immerse the plate in a Bath of rain-water for five minutes, moving it about occasionally to soften the honey. This will probably be sufficient for plates which have not been kept longer than four hours, and beyond that time the process is not considered certain, since the Honey exercises a slow reducing action upon the Nitrate of Silver.