Finally, the traditional batch dyeing method, of salting of the dye and only then adding alkali, should have taken care of the hydrolysis of dye in solution, Eq. 9. Certainly the dye in solution could be reduced to very little before the alkali addition if substantive direct dye struc- tures were used. But the problems of wash-off would be a serious drawback. Alternatively, increasing the substantivity of existing dyes by increasing the recom- mended salt additions or lowering the recommended temperature might be ef- fective were it not for the adverse possibili- ties. Salt addition may decrease the rate of dye diffusion and increase the possibility of dye aggregation, even induce precipita- tion, while adding to the effluent problem. Lowering the temperature would slow the rate of dyeing. There are some benefits from lowering the liquor ratios, which would increase substantivity, although the salt may have to be reduced to avoid aggregation or solubility problems. Surely lowering the liquor ratio is not the only possibility? This question will be addressed in the section on Dyestuff Re- search.