_Stained Leather._—In staining leather, on the other hand, the color solution is applied directly to the surface of the damp—not wet—goods by means of a brush or soft sponge, or a little pad of cloth. Accordingly, no matter how carefully the leather has been softened and moistened beforehand, the color does not penetrate far, and is found only on the particular surface where it has been applied. For flat, even shades, the dyeing process is usually preferable, but by staining, it is possible for the craftsman to work on the surface of the leather, as an artist does on paper with water colors, and beautiful effects can be produced. Oil paint is often used for decorating leather, and when applied skilfully in thin layers, the effects are good. But staining with dyestuffs is usually preferable, as showing more of the grain of the leather, and being more transparent. The staining of leather may either be done free-hand, or else by the filling in of set designs, marked out previously by tooling or some other method; or, as will be discussed later, by the use of stencils. In any case success chiefly depends upon the condition of the surface that is to receive the dye. The surface of the leather should be dampened, thoroughly and evenly, so that the dye will adhere, and even penetrate a little; but it must not be so wet that the colors will run. To get this exactly right requires considerable practice. As a rule, the leather is, first, carefully and evenly soaked in water or, if it is at all greasy, in water with a little ammonia in it. When this has been thoroughly done, the leather is taken out and dried off, first on one side and then on the other, with pieces of cloth and then later with blotting paper. After this it is exposed to the air for a little time until the exact point of dryness has been reached. The color solution should be applied with a camel’s hair brush or a small, soft pad of cotton, and any excess of liquid wiped off, or soaked up with blotting paper, and the color rubbed in with the fingers or pad, as soon as possible. =Acid Dyes for Leather.=—As above mentioned, certain shades are hard to obtain without the use of Acid colors. This is particularly true in the case of blue. For the lighter and brighter shades it is necessary to use one of the Acid blues such as Cyanole FF. (_Cassella_), or Patent Blue (_Metz_). These are applied in exactly the same way as the Basic colors. Some of the Acid reds, too, will be found valuable for certain shades of scarlet, etc., that can hardly be reached with Safranine. Among the best of the fast Acid colors for leather may be mentioned: _Red._—Fast Scarlet, BXG, _Badische_; Biebrich Acid Red, 2B, _Kalle_, and Fast Acid Red, M, _Metz_. _Yellow._—Tartrazine, _Badische_; Wool Yellow, 1A, _Kalle_, and Fast Acid Yellow, 3G, _Metz_. _Blue._—Wool Fast Blue, BL, _Badische_; Nerocyannic Blue, B, _Kalle_, and Fast Acid Blue, BB, _Metz_.