I THE EDITOR’S TALKS AND CORRESPONDENCE j 
The Editor wishes to extend a personal invitation to all readers of House and Garden to send to the 
Correspondence Department, inquiries on any matter pertaining to house finishing and furnishing. Care¬ 
ful consideration is given each inquiry, the letter and answer being published in due time as matters of 
interest to other readers. Where an early reply is desired if a stamp and self-addressed envelope are 
enclosed, the answer will be sent. No charge whatever is made for any advice given. 
[Owing to lack of space in this issue , the Editor's Talk is omitted, but will appear as usual in the November number .] 
SANDALWOOD FOR BURNING 
Will you kindly direct me as to where I can pro¬ 
cure sandalwood to burn for getting rid of flies, as 
suggested in the July issue of your Magazine. 
Mrs. T. M. M., Abington, Conn. 
Answer: 1 have referred your letter to the people 
from whom this can be obtained and you will doubt¬ 
less hear from them promptly. 
PIANO FOR A MISSION ROOM 
Would you kindly advise me in the selection of a 
piano. I want one of good make but I particularly 
desire a Mission case as it will be used in a Mission 
room which is as typically Mission in the detail of 
wood trim and finish as in the furnishing. I do not 
want to spend more than $500 or $600, as the life of 
the piano is short in this climate. I enclose you a 
diagram of the room and would ask that you suggest 
the best position for the piano. New Orleans. 
Answer: Many good manufacturers of pianos are 
putting out uprights in cases of so-called Mission de¬ 
signs. These are always a dark stained wood and 
have a dull or fiat finish. 
fDirectly under the high set amber leaded glass 
window which your diagram shows would be the 
most advantageous place for your piano. 
WAXED FLOORS 
I am particularly partial to waxed floors and do 
not in the least mind the trouble of having them re¬ 
newed. Please advise me regarding the best wax 
to use, and is it necessary to stain a floor of oak so 
as to have it look best ? I enclose a stamped envel¬ 
ope for reply. St. Louis. 
Answer: I am glad to send you the names of several 
wax finishes for your floors; any one of these will give 
you entire satisfaction. A stain is not essential by 
any means for a floor which is to be waxed. It is 
simply a matter of taste. There are brown shades 
which are effective, though many prefer a dark 
mahogany stain for floors. 
RUBBER TILING FOR KITCHEN FLOORS 
Do you like the rubber flooring for kitchens and is 
it very costly to use, and does it require to be re¬ 
newed frequently ? Mrs. R. B. 
Answer: 1 send you an address from which you 
can obtain full and reliable information in regard to 
rubber flooring. For certain floors it is an emi¬ 
nently practical and wise selection. 
PAINTING WICKER FURNITURE 
I am anxious to finish some old chairs myself with 
a paint which will dry with a gloss and go on easily 
and smoothly. Can you supply me with the name 
of the kind I should get ? I send self-addressed envel¬ 
ope. Also do you like painted wicker furniture in a 
parlor ? It has been suggested to me that I paint my 
old wicker chairs, which are somewhat soiled, a light 
straw color and put some loose red plush cushions in 
them. My walls are covered with a red striped 
paper; my curtains are net, trimmed with applique. 
The rug is red and green. I have some Mission 
furniture in the room and the woodwork is white. 
My mantel is grained oak. I need some new portieres 
too. What shall I get ? Would you say to put some 
gilding on the chairs if I paint them white or straw 
color r Wichita, Kans. 
There are colored varnishes or enamels on the 
market which will give you the effect you speak of. 
I send you the address requested. However, let me 
suggest that you use a rich crimson enamel or dark 
ivy green for the wicker chairs. Upholster the loose 
cushions with linen taffeta showing a close pattern of 
crimson hollyhocks and much green foliage on a white 
ground. This will make your cushions much more 
attractive than the plush, as well as being quite in the 
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