He makes a pleasant absorbent ground by the mixture of starch, oil and water, as thus: white lead, a small proportion, ground in linseed oil and mixed with a solution of starch and water. It should be laid on the cloth (say Russia sheeting) with a spatula. It will dry in a day or two, then use the pumice stone to reduce the ground and follow it with a second coat, using a small proportion of starch.