After doing this a few moments, put the brush back in the same position in the gluepot, and revolve it in the same manner. Presently, a slight foam or froth should appear on the top of the glue, which should increase till the pot becomes well-nigh filled with glue froth. It is now in good order for spreading on the cloth, and should look white and frothy when applied. Some binders believe in mixing tallow, &c.; but all that is really necessary is to cause the brush to revolve briskly upon a rough surface for a short time, which initiates the tendency to froth.

When the end papers are dry, they are pasted to the sewed book, one at the beginning and one at the end. The end papers are laid over each other, leaving about tin. of the back on the side where the single leaf is, and the exposed part pasted with thick paste. The pasted end-paper is then placed at the beginning or end of the book, with its pasted portion next to the book, and level with the back and head, and carefully rubbed down.

Take the books that you have sewn, one by one, and, holding in the right hand, beat the back against the laying press, so as to bring up the backs of all the sections perfectly level. If they will not come up readily, lay the book down flat and work them up level with the fingers and thumb. Next, take the book in the left hand, head towards you, and smooth down the cords in the last section; place a backing board level with the back, at about 1/2 in. there from (Fig. 58). Then turn the book, tail to you, and place another board similarly on the other side (but leaving the cords free here). Holding the boards and book tightly in the left hand, lower it carefully into the laying press and screw it up with the hand. Take a pair of backing-boards (or cutting boards), one in each hand, and strike each side of the back simultaneously (see Fig. 59), until the sections are driven close together, and the swell of the back is lessened.

Some binders simply place the book on the laying press, and beat it up the back with the backing hammer until the back becomes thinner. Others flatten the book in the laying press, leaving the back out. The press is then screwed up tightly, a knocking down iron held against the projecting portion of the back at the left side, and the back hammered on the right.

It is usual to paste the first and last sections to those next them. Place the book on the Laying press, turn the top section back; lay a slip of paper along the section at about tin (more for large books) from back of section to waste paper, paste along it take waste paper away, and replace section, rubbing down with the finger; serve last section at other side of book similarly. The middle finger of right hand is best for pasting with.

< Affixing End Papers, Rounding and Backing Part 3