32 FABM HOMES, LS-DOOBS AlfD OUT-DOOBS. 



CHAPTER IL 

 FINISHING. 



There is a good deal of light, but effective, work in 

 the finish of a house which women might interest them- 

 selves in, and, with a little study and practice, perform 

 with their own hands the labor tnat is either left undone 

 or given over to high-priced workmen. 



I am confident a happy change would come over our 

 farm-houses if the wives and daughters, dwelling in them, 

 would take upon themselves the business of studying 

 tasteful yet inexpensive ways for improving and embel- 

 lishing their surroundings. 



The work of painting, panelling, calcimining, staining, 

 varnishing, etc., is not nearly as laborious as ironing 

 shirts, molding bread, or scrubbing floors ; and besides, 

 when it is finished it remains finished, and, if well done, 

 is a "joy forever." 



Suppose the new house cleared of carpenters and ma- 

 sons, the floors and wood- work cleaned, and all the debris 

 of building collected and carried away ; the work that 

 now remains to be done should be an attractive task for 

 woman-hands, and it should be left to these hands, with 

 confidence in their ability to make the very best of even 

 the humblest materials. 



The ceilings and walls are first to be considered. The 

 mason may have left them smooth and white with the 

 pride of his art, " hard-iinish," but even this can be im- 

 proved. In best rooms it is cold and glaring to the eye, 

 while in every-' lay apartments, in spite of watchful cure, 

 it soon becomes unsightly from its ability to show every 

 plight speck and spot. There are various soft and cheer- 

 ful tints far more pleasing to look upon, and which will 



