328 



The Country House 



Fif. 65. The application of the queen post truss 



what to expect of a tree before you rely too much upon it as a feature of your 

 estate. If it is not reasonably sure of lasting it is not worth the trouble. 



Trees, Dead. A very picturesque motive may sometimes be made by utilising 

 the roots of a dead tree which it has been necessary to remove. Cut off the trunk 

 at the usual height from the ground, and the roots in a circular form about the 

 trunk; the whole may then be tipped on edge, in the manner of the old stump 



fence. This, being somewhat trimmed 

 and cleaned, may be used as a staddle for 

 climbine plants with considerable effect. 



Trusses. Trusses for heavy par- 

 titions, otherwise unsupported, and for 

 roofs may be constructed in the queen post 

 form, as shown in cut. (Fig. 65.) 



Vents. Ceiling vent ducts can often 

 be concealed by means of the cornice, and 

 the vents themselves be pierced registers 

 in one or more of the ornamental panels 

 occurring at intervals in the frieze, or by continuous perforations in the ornamental 

 crown member of the cornice. Sometimes the centrepiece is thus used. 



There are cases where the pilaster can be used as a vent duct. The floor vent is 

 then pierced in the ornamental panel of the base, and the ceiling vent in the 

 deep cuttings of the cap. The natural piercings of Byzantine ornament can thus 

 be readily utilised. 



Walls. It is noticeable, oftentimes, that a white coating will often come on 

 the outside of a brick wall after it has been laid. This may be removed by an 

 application of dilute muriatic acid and water, applied with a scrubbing brush. 



It is not a custom nor is it the right principle to make the first story of an 

 outer wall of brick and the second of stone. These two materials in combination 

 should be used in the reverse. In any combination the material having the effect of 

 greater heaviness should be at the bottom of the wall. 



Well. The conditions of the sides and bottom of an open well may be 

 determined, on a bright day, by the use of a mirror; by this means sunlight can be 

 reflected into its darkest corners. 



Often when sinking the driven well the pipe is apt to become clogged by 

 the penetration of soil through the perforations in the shoe. To remove this 

 obstruction a series of small pipes are put together in lengths, lowered into the 

 well pipe, and a pump attached to the top. The whole is then lifted slightly, so 

 as to be free of the bottom, and water poured in between the two pipes. Pump- 

 ing will remove part of the obstruction; a repetition of the process will thoroughly 

 clean the pipe. 



Windows. Should a window stick, the best way to start it is in the following 

 manner: Take a piece of \ n soft pine, about 8" long and 4." wide, and pad one 

 end of it with several thicknesses of cloth. Then, with the cloth end against the 

 sash at the point of sticking, pound moderately with a mallet or hammer. It 

 may be necessary to go all around the then engaged side of the sash, but care 

 should be taken to keep the pine stick close to the stop bead or stool, as the case 



