How to Prepare a Smear for Staining
Step 1: Sterilize inoculating loop
Step 2:
Broth cultures: Agitate culture to re-suspend bacteria. Obtain a loopful of broth culture and place on slide. Agar plates: Obtain a small amount of bacteria on the sterile loop and place in a drop of water on the slide.
"Smear" liquid around with loop to make a thin, uniform film on the slide.
Step 3: Air dry completely.