FARM STRUCTURES 459 



bottom of the casing to doors is called the plinth. The fol- 

 lowing are some additional suggestions: 



1. Ample head room should be provided over stairs. 



2. The sum of the rise and tread of steps should be about 

 17)4 inches. 



3. "Winders, " or triangular steps, should be avoided. 



4. A half post should be placed where the banister rail 

 joins the wall. 



5. Dimensions of windows are given by the number and 

 size of lights. 



6. All sash should be carefully balanced. A good grade 

 of cotton cord is satisfactory. 



7. The stop bead should be fastened with screws to per- 

 mit of adjustment and the removal of sash. 



8. Doors are made in three grades, A, B, and C. Those 

 of standard size and dimensions are known as stock doors. 

 Veneered doors are usually more satisfactory than solid ones. 



The Hardware. The butts, locks, knobs, and escutcheon 

 plates should be of good quality. The usual grades of hard- 

 ware are japanned iron, bronze plated, and solid bronze. 

 Much can be added to the appearance of a room by using 

 artistic, high-grade hardware. Loose pin, wrought-iron butts 

 should be used, as they are stronger than cast-metal butts. 

 Mortise locks are to be preferred over rim locks. Hinges 

 should be of ample size and should permit the door to swing 

 back against a stop on the wall. 



The Finishing Woodwork. All woodwork should be 

 sandpapered with the grain before the application of any 

 finishing material. Nails should be well set and the holes 

 well filled with putty. 



Two coats of hard oil or varnish make the cheapest but 

 the least desirable finish. The best finish is five or six coats 

 of shellac rubbed down. A wood filler may be used before 



