To make out the Dottom of a boot, the sole should be buffed or scraped with the buff knife, that has been well sharpened till it has a keen, regular edge. Only the first layer of grain is taken off the sole • when this has been carefully done and the sole has been well sandpapered, it should have a fine velvet-like surface. It is, however, very hard to produce in this way a white bottom upon bad leather, or upon good leather improperly worked. With a soft brush remove all the dust of leather made by this process, and scrape some buff ball all over the bottom, and with a fine piece of sandpaper work it evenly all over the sole, and then smooth it down with the back of the paper. With a clean soft piece of flannel, lightly damp down the whole of the sole, doing it evenly all over, so that the leather just changes its colour; then scrape some buff ball all over the sole while it is damp. Hold the boot firmly between the knees, and with a, hare's foot or piece of soft flannel dab the buff ball down to cover the sole.

Finish by brushing off any loose dust with the hare's foot.