HOUSE AND GARDEN 
September, 
1912 
another wood, serving to strengthen the 
construction as well as giving an interest¬ 
ing pattern, might be used. If a conven¬ 
tional pattern of squares is desired for 
the center of a floor, a design from some 
of the modern German decorative work 
might be adapted by a home-builder who 
can draw. Or an artist might be enlisted 
to design a much conventionalized tree 
or flower pattern. 
Violent color contrasts should be avoid¬ 
ed. A subtle blending of tones is instead 
desirable. Whitewood may be used un¬ 
finished, cherry and mahogany in their 
natural colors, oak stained brown or 
green, and ash and other woods stained 
in soft tones. Ebony and teak wood are 
also occasionally used. Wood strips for 
parquetry floors may be obtained from 
lumber dealers, or from special dealers. 
If remodeling an old house, instead of 
building a new one, is the home-builder’s 
problem, the refinishing of floors is usual¬ 
ly one of the improvements involved. The 
most unpromising looking hardwood floor 
may be brought back to much of its form¬ 
er beauty. But however stained it may 
be, not a drop of water should touch the 
wood. A quantity of steel wool (or wire 
waste, as it is sometimes called) should 
be secured. A pair of heavy gloves should 
be put on by the operator, as particles of 
steel easily cut the skin. The floor is 
scrubbed with a handful of the steel wool, 
plenty of wood alcohol being used with 
it. Any except deep scars or marks are 
removed by this scouring. Oxalic acid 
is used to bleach any obstinate stain. The 
floor is then finished as a new one would 
be. This method is also good for remov¬ 
ing undesirable finish from a new floor. 
If floorings are of soft wood they are 
often not worth the labor of refinishing, 
and the best and most economical course 
is to lay new hardwood floors above them. 
In an old Colonial house with wide floor 
boards, even if they are of soft wood, it 
is advisable to refinish them with some of 
the prepared floor finishes, or to paint 
them. Wide cracks might be filled with 
colored wax. The present use of narrow 
boards for flooring is largely due to the 
growing scarcity of wide ones. The old 
boards, sometimes twelve or more inches 
wide, show that when they were laid, 
virgin forests were being cut down in the 
region. The old wide boarded floor has 
an historic interest, and accords better 
with old woodwork and furniture than 
would a modern narrow board one. 
In the selection of woods for flooring, 
in their treatment and finish there is as 
much opportunity for individuality as in 
the treatment of any other surface of the 
hollow cubes we live in. It should be re¬ 
membered. however, that the floor is 
largely a background for people and 
furniture. It represents what in a land¬ 
scape is the ground up to the horizon line. 
In large rooms it occupies much of the 
picture that we see when we look about 
us. To keep the floor unobtrusive, not 
allowing it to usurp too much attention, 
should be the chief aim in its treatment. 
Peterson’s Perfect Peonies 
(FOR FALL PLANTING) 
Are the standard by which others are judged— 
admittedly the best that money can buy. 
They have behind them an unequaled record 
of prize winning in the big shows for the best and 
most distinct varieties on exhibition. 
They’re the result of nineteen years of enthusi¬ 
astic devotion to the greatest flower of modern 
times. 
This is not a department of a general nursery, 
nor is it a business chiefly on paper, of false and 
extravagant claims, but one with an establishment 
behind it — one with Peony gardens and fields 
famous the country over. Ever since this business 
began I have DONE as well as “grow” (and sell) 
nothing else but Peonies and Roses, the year 
round. 
And to-day, among those who know, this busi¬ 
ness is the standard for quality—for absolute true¬ 
ness of stock. I know my Peonies intimately and 
— yes — I love them. 
“THE FLOWER BEAUTIFUL” 
is the title of my annual catalogue of the Peony. 
It does not offer you “The greatest Peony in culti¬ 
vation” under a false name, nor the same Peonies 
under different names. Its reliability is unques¬ 
tioned. 
And then, too, it’s the most beautiful catalogue 
of the day. It’s yours for the asking. WANT 
A COPY? 
A Particular Business I Georqe H. Peterson 
for Particular People | R ose an j p eon y Specialist Box 30, FAIR LAWN, N, J. 
The Moral of this 
Old Apple Tree and Its Preservation 
T HIS fine old tree that contributed so largely 
to the interest and charm of this place, was 
neglected so long that the top became a 
tangle of vitality sapping growth. 
The lower limbs have been indiscriminately cut 
off, until now the tree has been robbed of much of 
its characteristic beauty, and looks more like an 
animated umbrella. 
The apples are, of course, inferior in quality, 
and difficult to pick. 
Are you neglecting any of your trees this way? 
Perhaps the seriousness of specially caring for 
your trees, as well as your lawn and shrubs, has 
not occurred to you? 
To make sure of the condition of your trees, 
whether shade or fruit, send for one of our In¬ 
spectors. ITe will frankly advise you their con¬ 
dition, and suggest such work as may be necessary, 
for their restoration or preservation. 
Such inspections in no way obligate you to have 
the work done. 
Send for our 
Should Have. 
Booklet — Trees — The Care They 
Munson Whitaker Go. 
yjl I W W New York—823 Fourth Ave. Bldg. Boston—623 Tremont 
'A ■ FORESTERS W M B1 dg- Pittsburg--903 Arrott Bldg. Chicago—713 Com- 
^ mercial Bank Bldg. 
In writing to advertisers please mention House and Garden. 
