ORNAMENTING NEW HOMES. 23 



outside is naturally wet or springy, a line of tile should be 

 placed at such distance and depth as to make this perfectly 

 dry. With a cellar bottom thus drained outside and in, and 

 carefully concreted with cement and sand, the most health- 

 ful condition possible will be provided. 



Perfect Ventilation. 



This is a very large subject to even touch upon in a work 

 of this character and limit, but is one of so much impor- 

 tance that no one who intends to build a home, however 

 simple, should ignore it. 



The first condition to be provided is sufficiently large 

 space for taking in pure and forcing out the impure air in 

 sufficient quantities for healthy respiration of the inmates. 

 This is best provided by having open fireplaces in each of 

 the principal rooms, or by means of separate fines for the 

 inlet of fresh air and egress of the foul air, a draft being 

 created in the flues by heat produced by a gas-jet, a coil 

 from steam- or hot-water pipes of the boiler, or from a 

 separate stack heater. 



Economy of fuel demands a close construction of the 

 building by lining the walls with some non-conducting 

 material like paper, building-felt, etc., and in very cold 

 weather it is a matter requiring serious consideration how 

 to heat the necessary amount of cold fresh air that we must 

 have for health. The single thickness of window around 

 which so much fresh air would enter we cover with storm- 

 sash, our doors we make close with weather-strips, and the 

 only source of fresh-air supply must be through the cold- 

 air box that leads into the furnace or ventilating flues. If 

 this is sufficiently large and properly regulated, and a quick 



