The third factor, the degree of affinity of the dye for the cotton fibre, has some influence on the depth of shade which can be dyed from any given strength of the dye-bath. There is a very considerable difference among the direct dyes in this respect. There are some which have a fair degree of affinity, while there are others which have but little affinity, and while in the former case there is little dye left in the bath, in the latter case there is a good deal. When dyeing plain shades with single dye-stuffs this is not of much moment, because if the bath be kept for further use, as will be spoken of presently, the bath may be brought up to its original strength by adding a proportionate amount of dye-stuff, but when compound shades are being dyed, using two or more dyes, then this feature has some influence, for they will not be absorbed by the fibre in the same proportion as they were put in the bath, and so when making up the dye-bath for the second lot, and adding the same proportion of dyes, the shade which is produced will not be quite the same, for the first lot of cotton in taking up the dyes in varying quantities has altered their relative proportions, and so the bath for the second lot of cotton will actually contain more of one dye than did the first bath, and the influence of this excess of the one constituent will show itself in the shade ultimately dyed. The more lots of cotton there are dyed in the bath the greater will this influence be. The dyer must by practical experience find out for himself in what direction this feature of the direct dyes exerts its influence on the particular dyes he is working with and make due allowance. It is found in practice that from one-fourth to one-half of the original weight of dye-stuff is left in the bath, and in order to be as economical as possible a custom has arisen of keeping the bath and using it again for dyeing further lots of cotton. In thus making a continuous use of dye-baths it is important in preparing the baths for the next lot of cotton to add first the requisite quantities of dye-stuffs, how much will depend upon the factors and conditions already detailed, but from one-half to three-fourths of the original quantities are added. Practical experience alone is the guide to be followed.