H.\MPSHIRE COUNTY FARMERS' MONTHLY 



Kitchen Floors 



Continued fi'om page 4. column 2 

 1 part raw linseed oil. 

 3 parts turpentine. 



Japan dryer. 



Other Treatment 



There are many old kitchen floors 

 where any amount of oil or paint would 

 not give a satisfactory finish. If one 

 has such a floor, one that is not level, 

 filled with large cracks and warped it 

 may be treated as follows: 



1. Fill the large cracks with strips of 

 wood or newspaper folded into strips 

 and pressed edgeways into the cracks 

 so that when walking on them the 

 folds spread and cover the cracks. 



2. Cover floor with newspaper or floor 

 paper which prevents paint soaking 

 into floor. 



S. Put down rag or ingrain carpet or 

 heavy burlap. 



4. Apply two or three coats of paint to 



thoroughly fill pores of carpet or bur- 

 lap. 



5. A coat of good spar varnish will add 



to the life of this floor covering. 



Varnished Floors 



The kind of wood used for the new 

 floor will determine the use of a filler. 

 The open grained woods should be treated 

 with a filler. The fillers may be had in 

 paste or liquid form ; some use varnish 

 thinned with turpentine or shellac in al- 

 cohol as a liquid filler. 



After the filler is thoroughly dried the 

 first coat of varnish may be applied. Al- 

 low this to dry fi-om 18-48 hours before 

 applying another coat. Each coat may 

 be rubbed with fine sand paper or steel 

 wool before the next coat of varnish is 

 applied. The final coat of varnish may 

 be followed by a thin coating of wax 

 which protects the varnish. 



Varnish may be used on an old floor, 

 and when so used, the floor is stained to 

 insure a more attractive finished surface. 



Linoleum 



As stated before we know of no per- 

 fect covering for the kitchen floor but 

 linoleum is perhaps the best all around 

 covering provided it is properly laid and 

 given the proper daily care. It is prac- 

 tical in that it combines comfort, dura- 

 bility, is sanitary and attractive and is 

 inexpensive when one considers the life 

 of a good linoleum. 



There are three kinds of linoleum, the 

 printed, the plain, and the inlaid. In the 

 printed the color is only on the surface 

 while in the plain and the inlaid the color 

 goes through to the back. 



Lay Linoleum 



Laying linoleum is not a simple task 

 if one wishes it laid to give the best ser- 

 vice. It is natural, that after having 

 invested in a linoleum floor covering, one 

 wishes to have it laid so that it will be 

 most satisfactory. 



First of all the accurate measurements 

 of the floor are taken, or better still a 

 floor plan of the room is made. If the 

 latter plan is followed then there can be 

 no mistake in cutting the linoleum. 



Some experience is necessary in cutting 

 linoleum so that there is no waste, and 

 in laying it so that it will not buckle or 

 crack. Unless one is somewhat experi- 

 enced in handling it you will do well to 

 have it laid by one who is skilled in this 

 work. 



In putting down linoleum over felt 

 papei', the paper is cut into lengths to 

 go the .short way of the room. This felt 

 is cemented to the floor and held in place 

 until it adheres firmly to the floor, 



The linoleum is then laid in position 

 the long way of the room. The entire 

 under surface is coated with the cement 

 and the linoleum is rolled with a heavy 

 roller to insure its adhering to the felt 

 paper. Heavy weights may be placed on 

 it while the cement dries. This method 

 of laying linoleum insures a good floor 

 covering one that will not buckle, will be 

 resilient and warm. 



If, however, one is buying a linoleum 

 for a temporary floor covering it may be 

 laid directly on the wood floor. 



The floor should be perfectly dry, clean 

 and smooth. Cracks should be filled, 

 nails removed or set and knots and un- 

 even edges of boards smoothed. 



Keep in mind that linoleum stretches 



so it is well to place it on the floor and 

 allow it to remain unfastened for several 

 weeks or until it shows no tendency to 

 stretch more. Do not put any brads in 

 the linoleum during this stretching period. 

 Care of Linoleum 



A thin coating of wax will protect the 

 linoleum. In places where the traflic is 

 greatest the wax will wear away so will 

 need be renewed occasionally. Wipe up 

 foot tracks with a damp cloth. 



W. H. RILEY & CO. 



PLUMBING and HEATING 



KITCHEN FURNISHINGS 



AGENTS FOR 

 (ilcenwood Ranges 



and IjO^ve llro.s. Paints 



Opp. Post Office Northampton. Mass. 



Western Electric Power and Light 



RELIABLE 



Backed by half a century's 

 reputation. 



You can have confidence in a 

 Western Electric Light and 

 Power outfit. It is the only 

 Farm Plant backed by -54 years' 

 experience. 



This means that the West= 

 ern Electric Outfit is designed 

 right and built to give you 

 years of uninterrupted service. 



If you want to know more of 

 the reasons why you should buy 

 the Western Electric, drop a 

 line to 



SURNIER & McBREEN 

 Electrical Contractors 



NOKTHANPTON, MASS. 



Dealers for Hampshire County 



Attractive proposition to first 

 customers in each community. 





