Sorgho Red

: ON THE PRIMARY, RED.

Some nine years back there was found to be a carmine colouring matter in

most parts of the Chinese sorgho, chiefly in the unpressed stem. The

red, which is extracted in an impure state, is dissolved in weak

potash-ley, thrown down by sulphuric acid, and washed with water. This

purified product, soluble in alcohol, caustic alkalies, and dilute

acids, has been employed in Austria, Baden, &c., for the dyeing of silks

and woollens with the common tin mordants. The colours produced from it

are unchanged, they say, by warm soapsuds or light. We do not know

whether the red found its way to England, but it has certainly not

appeared here as a pigment.



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