Ornamenting New Homes 25 



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 a 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 flues for the inlet 

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

 in the flues by heat produced by a lamp, 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 qf window around 

 which so much fresh air would enter we pover 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 

 draft is made by the flue being heated with a fire, gas-jet, 

 or hand-lamp in the grate or open fireplace, or a coil or 

 other heating appliance in a separate flue, pure air will be 

 constantly supplied; but if the cold-air box is kept closed 

 and no adequate escape is provided, the closely built house 

 becomes a place for the generation of disease and ill health. 

 The most approved method of arranging the heat-supply 

 and foul-air escape is to have the fprmer enter the room 



