After the souring it is often the custom to pile the goods on to a wooden stillage, but the goods should not be left too long so piled up for they may become dry, either entirely or in parts. In any case, as the goods dry the acid becomes concentrated and attacks them and makes them tender, which is not at all desirable. Therefore, if it is not convenient to proceed with them for some time after souring, they should be moistened with water from time to time, but it is best to wash them off at once, whereby they are made ready for the next operation. (6) =Lye Boil.=--This is, perhaps, the most important operation in the whole process of bleaching, especially if the cloths are going to be printed in the so-called madder style with alizarine colours, or otherwise stains are liable to occur in the final stage, and it is then sometimes difficult to put the blame for these upon the right shoulders. In principle the lye boil is simple, consisting in boiling the goods with a solution of soda ash, or caustic soda. The quantity of ash used varies in different works, as might naturally be expected; from 170 lb. to 200 lb. of ash to 10,000 lb. of cloth is a fair proportion to use. The length of boil averages about four hours, certainly not less than three should be given, and it is not necessary to give more than five hours in either ordinary kiers, with central puffer pipe, or in injector kiers. Care should be taken to see that the goods are well packed into the kiers, not too tightly or the lye will fail to penetrate equally all through, and this is important if a uniform bleach is desired; neither should they be too loose, or they will float about and get torn. It is not necessary to be particular about the quantity of water used, except that it must be sufficient to keep the goods well covered, and still have enough to keep the circulation energetic. When the water is not sufficient in amount the goods get somewhat dry; there is then a liability to tendering, but with plenty of water there is no fear of any damage being done during a boil with alkali. Some works use caustic soda instead of soda ash in which case less is required, from 120 lb. to 150 lb. to 10,000 lb. of cloth, otherwise no alteration is made in the mode of boiling. This lye boil clears away the fatty and waxy matter left in the goods after the lime sour, and thus prepares the way for the next boil. There is no advantage in using caustic soda in this preliminary boil, soda ash being just as effective and cheaper. (7) =Resin Boil.=--Following the lye boil is the resin boil which consists in boiling the goods in a resin soap liquor. This is made as follows: a soda ash liquor of about 15 deg. to 20 deg. Tw. is prepared, and into this is thrown resin, broken up into small pieces.