Illustrations of MAPLE include Plates 32-34.

This, though a very beautiful wood, is not as commonly used in graining as some others, though a fine effect can be produced by graining panels, etc., in rooms where the principal graining may be black walnut, oak, or rosewood, forming thus a contrast, which, when well executed, presents an extremely fine appearance, and as maple is never used for an outside finish (therefore not being exposed to the weather), it can be grained more successfully in distemper than in oil, and also much more readily, the consequence of which is, we shall speak of it as being grained only in distemper color, though the same colors, used by a skilful hand, in oil, will produce the same beautiful effect.

The ground-work for maple is made from white, tinted with chrome yellow, making the very lightest cream, and the same rules as to mixing, laying on, etc., etc., are applicable to the graining of maple as to the other woods hereinbefore mentioned, viz., walnut, oak, and rosewood.

The graining color is made from raw Sienna and a little raw umber, not far from equal parts, and ground fine in ale, etc., as before laid down for distemper colors. By rubbing the ground-work upon which all distemper colors are laid, with a damp sponge, it will be found to take the color much more readily than when not so rubbed.

The tools necessary for the graining of maple are a badger-hair blender, two or three top, or over-grainers, varying in width; and in running of heart-pieces, pencils must be used. For making the curls in curly maple, there can be nothing better than a raw potato, cut, say two or three inches wide, with a thin, straight edge, although the work can be performed by using a piece of rubber, or belting, with a similar straight edge. A flat camel's-hair brush, used wet, will accomplish the same, and for this purpose it is employed quite successfully.

In forming the bird's-eyes, a potato cut in two, near the centre, with various inequalities made upon the smooth surface, and carelessly pounced over the surface of the work, will prove successful; but we know of nothing better adapted for this purpose than the ends of the fingers, touching the surface therewith at intervals. (See samples.)

After a thin coating of the distemper is laid on, for the production of curly maple, take a potato, or some one of the other things spoken of, and form the curls by running it crosswise, making them as irregular and careless as possible, then blend them down to a perfect harmony, after which pounce the same with the end of the blender as softly and finely as possible, as the pores in maple are nearly indistinct. After allowing this to dry thoroughly, if a heart or growth is desired, run the same with a pencil as before mentioned, or form the grains by taking the over-grainer, touching it in the color (having combed the grainer before being touched in the color); then run it down over the work, holding the hand near the work; then blend those also carefully, and, especially in maple, avoid anything harsh or stiff in the color, or the running of the grains, as maple, when completed, is a very light and transparent wood. Where bird's-eye-maple is desired (after the thin distemper color has been used), take the damp sponge and roll it carelessly over the surface, which will remove a portion; then blend softly as in forming the curls, after which, and before it is allowed to dry, form the bird's-eye with a potato or fingers, as before mentioned, in those parts where the color has not been removed; then, when entirely dry, form the grains either with a pencil or a grainer, as set forth in directions on curly maple. Care should be taken to have the bird's-eyes shaded (as per illustration), thereby making them natural and complete. After complying with the foregoing instructions, the work is ready for the varnish, and in most cases will be found satisfactorily finished, though it can be materially improved by first giving it a very thin coat of varnish, then a very thin glazing coat of the same colors, though principally of Sienna, forming curls, shades, etc., where they may have been omitted, or will be found to improve the work. You will observe in our illustrations that the grains of maple, both bird's-eye and curly, are entirely different from those of any other kind of wood, both in course and formation. In all cases the illustrations herein given must be followed as closely as possible, which, if properly complied with, will, in all cases, produce the desired result. If desired to be grained in oil, combs should be used instead of top, or over-grainers.

In connection with maple, we would here say that there is such a wood as satin-wood, but it is rarely used in any manner.

If, however, it should be desirable to grain it, it will be found that the colors used in graining maple (raw Sienna being the chief material) are the same as those used in the graining of satin-wood, and the process varies in no essential manner, only that the colors and graining should be more indistinct with satin-wood, it being an extremely pale and transparent wood. Care must be observed to preserve in the imitation the purity and character of the original.