Practical Hints 32! 



It is not best that this bed should be in a hollow so as to hold water; if it be on a 

 slightly convex surface the result is better as moisture retards the action of the air. 

 Details, Exterior. There is one point that may well be considered in con- 

 nection with exterior details. Such projecting mouldings and deep carving as may 

 offer a foothold or receptacle for the litter "of birds is often annoying in the 

 extreme. In some localities the English sparrow is so abundant as to become a 

 positive nuisance in this respect. We have often seen the Corinthian capital enclosed 

 vith an ugly mass of netting to prevent the birds from building their nests in its 

 crevices. ^ It is probably hard to admit that we must limit ourselves to a certain 

 extent in pur architectural details, yet many times such considerations would seem 

 to be a wise proceeding. 



Disinfectants. A powerful destroyer of animal organism bacteria may be 

 made in a solution of one part carbolic acid to from 40 to 100 parts water. It can 

 be used on garbage, drains, etc., with good results. 



Charcoal is an absorbent of foul gases and general impurities. It is said to 

 possess the power not only of absorbing gases but of destroying them when 

 absorbed. Being very porous, its capacity for holding condensed gases is eight 

 times its bulk. It is therefore a valuable agent about the country house, particu- 

 larly in the cellar. 



Driveway. The most practical form of driveway or walk construction is 

 made by excavating a shallow trench, say from 8" to 12" deep, and in laying in as 

 an under course a layer of fairly coarse 

 stones. Upon this place a layer of smaller 

 stones, with a finishing layer of crushed 

 stone or gravel. The gutters may be made 



in the form of a blind drain, and the medium stones used in connection with a 

 porous horseshoe tile (see Fig. 59). The discharge should naturally be cared for. 



Echo. It is readily noticed that a bare room will give forth an echo. 

 Sometimes, too, the furnished room may be guilty of the same indiscretion. A 

 remedy that has been tried with success, and which is based on the same prin- 

 ciple that governs the correction of the echo by the furnishings of the room, is 

 to introduce projecting motives or loose hangings at the point where the echo 

 seems to exist, which is calculated to rectify this annoying condition. 



Faucet. The whistling in compression cocks is more apt to be due to 

 vibration than to air. Running water coming in contact with such parts of the 

 faucet as are not absolutely rigid cause a vibration of these parts. Should this be 

 excessive the faucet will probably have to be tightened. 



Fire. As a safeguard to protect the roof against fire, a ij" pipe may be 

 attached to the ridge and a series of perforations made in each side of it, so that 

 a stream of water turned into it from two or more connections would play at once 

 on each side of the roof. This is an easy and effective method of wetting down 

 the roof in case of flying sparks, and might well be adopted in localities of wooded 

 growth. It is possible to apply the same scheme to the walls of the house itself. 



In case the house be not fitted with regular standpipe for fire purposes, it is 

 well to have on each floor, including the attic if possible, one hose bib-cock or 

 faucet, with a coil of hose handy in cases of emergency. 



