332 HOW TO MAKE A COUNTRY PLACE 



blankets which, when saturated with water, make rare life savers 

 and kerosene fire-quenchers, supplemented with a few buckets filled 

 with sand. Fire axes, fire hooks, crowbars and wire rope ladders 

 should be fastened against the walls and placed on upper balconies. 

 Ladders of different lengths, one long enough to reach the roof at 

 gable end, should hang from hooks under the sheltering veranda floor 

 and be kept for this one purpose. In carpenter shop and horse 

 barns, especially should be installed the overhead automatic sprinkler, 

 also a perforated water connected galvanized and painted pipe the 

 ridge length of all buildings. A thorough roof-drenching will fre- 

 quently give fire protection. 



First Aids to the Fire-Fighter. 



First aid instructions to the amateur fire fighter are essential ; 

 plain simple directions as to location of apparatus, what to do and 

 what not to do, tacked up where he who runs may read a sort of 

 fire catechism and it wouldn't be a half bad idea to have an occasional 

 fire drill and test out those stand pipes, gain speed in ladder raising, 

 inspect fire extinguishers, etc., etc. 



This first aid list of things requiring prompt action should include 

 closing of windows and doors, especially those of stairways, shutting off 

 all draughts the moment a fire is discovered. A full pail of water is 

 difficult to handle, and only through practice can one get the free 

 circular and effective sweep throw. A water-saturated broom will 

 do great execution. If it is a curtain or bed on fire, get it on the 

 floor where no under draft can fan the flames. If it's soot in a chim- 

 ney, a couple of pounds of salt thrown down the flue forms gases 

 which explode, detach the soot, and keep the flames from entering 

 any crevices between the bricks, and water dashed on the hearth will 

 finish the job. Animal and vegetable oils are often responsible for 

 spontaneous combustion and it goes without saying that dirt and 

 rubbish, especially about stairways and in cellars, are fire inducers. 

 This scheme of fire fighting would include say, a half dozen adja- 

 cent neighbors and a large signal gong high under the eaves, while 

 an extra number of chemical tanks on wheels to rally round the 

 flames would greatly decrease fire hazard and under some conditions 

 lessen insurance premiums. 



Mottoes. 



Mottoes pivot and concentrate thought and help to individualize 

 estate, house, and room. From the following gleaned through a 

 score of years were selected several to arch fireplace, and centre hall, 

 library, festive-board-room and boudoir. 



"Abide now at home." 



"A good book is the precious life blood of a master mind." 



"A hundred thousand welcomes." 



"A poor thing, but mine own." 



