PASSING OF THE INSECT PEST 229 



were planned and constructed known only to myself in fact, the 

 dress and diamond smuggler with his false bottom trunks can be easily 

 outdone by the home builder. False backs in some dressers and 

 chiffoniers slid upward, revealing a secret space some four inches deep 

 occupied by removable plush covered shelves for jewelry and other 

 small articles of value. 



The Secret Room. 



My chef d'oeuvre was a secret room five by eight with nine foot 

 ceiling, entered by a concealed door whose location has so far defied 

 the most observing. 



Developing Room. 



Magazine pokeholes were under the stairway and eaves. In the 

 third story a developing room well ventilated by an up-chimney 

 electric fan was fitted with porcelain sink, hot and cold water, and 

 other conveniences. Its side walls and door were inset with colored 

 glass. A porch room closet taken from a jog siding the parlor chim- 

 ney conveniently held, under lock and key, wraps, toys, books, and 

 sewing. 

 Toggery Closet. 



Profiting by the experience of a friend whose plates and films, 

 valued at thousands of dollars, stored in a closet under a bathroom, 

 were ruined by the thawing of a frozen water pipe, we kept toggery 

 such as fishing tackle, guns, camera plates, etc., in a Yale locked attic 

 closet, building over the plate and film shelf as extra protection a 

 water-proof metal hood. Our rarest plates and films however were 

 pigeon-holed in the fire and damp-proof vault. Exposed rafters in 

 the closet were fitted with hooks, nails, and shelves. 



Passing of the Insect Pest. 



Windows wherever possible were in all closets, and electric ceil- 

 ing lights operated by switch just inside the closet door. Cord hung 

 bulbs were conveniently placed for peering into any especially dark 

 corners. Closet walls and ceilings had three coats of paint and a 

 finish of spar varnish enabled them to stand occasional washing. 

 Instead of baseboards, cement walls extended to the floor, with a 

 sanitary curve in place of the usual right angle. Floors of patent 

 cement that does not crumble and can be kept clean made closets 

 insect proof and easily hosed. Back halls and all servants' rooms were 

 treated in like manner. 



Metal Clothes Chute. 



The clothes chute of non-rusting aluminum connected with the 

 laundry closet with snap lock and was thoroughly ventilated by wire 

 screens extending two feet downward from the ceiling following the 

 closet wall line, with a wired opening at the base. Doors opened to 

 the chute from each floor. 



