presenting the same in a clear and concise manner, so that any one,
by following the various manipulations given, will be enabled to succeed.
If there is any one part of the process in Daguerreotype in which operators
fail more than all others, it is in not properly preparing the plate.
It has truly been said that it would take a volume to describe all the methods
that have been suggested for polishing the plate.

I shall confine myself to the following description, which has been
successfully practised, also most generally adopted by our operators,
and I believe equal, if not superior to any other method, yet at the same
time it is not of so much importance what particular method is employed,
so that it be thoroughly and skillfully carried out.

There is a general tendency with beginners to slight this operation; hence the
necessity of adopting a system which precludes the possibility of doing so.
During many years' study and practice in the art, I have tried numerous
methods and substances for the better accomplishment of the end in view,
and have finally settled upon the following, as being (so far as experience
allows me to Judge) the modus operandi, best suited to all circumstances;
under no condition would I approve of a method less rigorous or precise.

The operator being provided with a bottle of finely prepared rotten stone,
cover the mouth of the bottle with a piece of thick paper, this perforated
with a pin so that the rotten stone can be dusted on the plate.
Fasten the plate on the holder, take the rotten stone (Becker's can always
be depended upon), and dust on lightly until the surface is freely covered;
now drop on the plate's surface a few drops of an alcoholic solution.*

*This solution is composed of equal parts of alcohol and water,
for the summer, and in winter three parts alcohol to one of water;