Having selected his machine, and got the rollers and the cylinder into proper order, the printer is ready to begin the actual working of it. The first thing to be attended to is—

8. The Preparation of the Stone.—The stone-grinder should remember, when preparing a stone for the machine, that the printer cannot adapt his cylinder to its surface, as is frequently done at hand-press, by means of a scraper. Every care, therefore, must be taken to have the stone true (back as well as front), more especially in the direction of the stone's length, because that is the way in which the cylinder is applied to it. Its two longer edges must also be not only well rounded, but stand fairly the test of the straight-edge along the rounded part. If this be not attended to, the paper will be liable to crease. We know that the paper will sometimes crease from other causes, but this is one that is sometimes overlooked. The stone is easily tested by a straight-edge, which should hold a piece of ordinary post paper when applied at any part between it and the stone. Besides the general evenness of surface, the stone should be well polished, for it then not only receives the drawing or transfer more perfectly, but is less liable ha printing to catch the ink in those places which are intended to receive none.