Construction and Superstructure 331 



and the most durable, and if well laid and com- 

 posed of the best materials, are entirely satisfactory. 

 But wooden floors, tightly laid upon a well -drained 

 foundation, are fairly durable, and when out of re- 

 pair may be easily replaced at comparatively small 

 cost. Whatever the floors, they must be thor- 

 oughly sewered. The floor should slant rapidly 

 to the gutter, so that all water will quickly run 

 off through a thoroughly trapped iron pipe until the 

 outside of the building is reached, after which 

 well -glazed sewer pipe may be used. An abundant 

 supply of pure water is indispensable. This, under 

 ordinary conditions, will be obtained from a well. 

 A bored or driven well is less liable to contami- 

 nation than an open dug well, but in any event 

 the site of the well should be chosen with due 

 regard to possible sources 'of contamination. If 

 the water is very abundant and at a temperature 

 below 48, a supply of ice is not indispensable, 

 except for cold storage purposes, but it will be 

 found in most cases to be of great advantage. 

 In any event, the means of readily securing and 

 maintaining in the cream a temperature of 50 F. 

 or below is indispensable. Water and steam pipes 

 should be carried to all parts of the building where 

 their presence may be of advantage for cleaning 

 purposes. 



The superstructure may be as elaborate or as 

 simple as desired. At the least, it should offer as 

 good protection from the elements as a well-built 

 house does. In fact, the construction need not 



