The absorbant ground is made with whitening, finely ground and sifted, and size, made of parchment clippings. Should a tint of colour be wanted, it should be added at the time the ingredients are being melted and mixed together over the fire; when nearly cool it is spread over the board, or canvas, with a trowel or large palette-knife; when dry, the inequalities are rubbed smooth by a large and well-surfaced pumice-stone, or a square block of wood; -this is the first preparation. The second, to finish the surface of the ground, is effected by laying on another coat of paste and smoothing it off with the hand, dipped occasionally in water which will leave the surface even and smooth as plate glass. Plaster of Paris may be used, or incorporated with the size and whitening; it is the same coating now used by the gilders of frames. Should it be desirable to remove the absorbancy, a coat of light coloured drying oil may be laid over the ground; and, if left to dry before it is used, the ground will become an oil ground, like the canvases which are prepared at the artists' colour shops.,