Suggestions for the Month 
also noted in the report that the typical Manhattan 
tenement under the new law has changed from the 
old twenty-five foot unit, which was a constant 
temptation to the building of long, narrow, dark, ill- 
ventilated, courtless houses, to a lot unit of thirty- 
seven and a half or fifty feet frontage, which indicates 
an improvement in general conditions. Since 1905 
only about five per cent of the houses for which plans 
have been filed in Manhattan have employed a lot 
unit of twenty-five feet or under. 
The chief difficulty in enforcing the new law is 
that of making necessary alterations in the objection¬ 
able tenements that were built before January i, 
1902. This is being done slowly and steadily, 
and meets with much opposition from landlords 
{To be continued in 
who have some show of reason in objecting to be put 
to expense for alterations not legally called for under 
tbe former law. The Tenement House Act of 1901 
is, however, mandatory, and the city department 
charged with its enforcement is faithfully carrying 
out its provisions. In 1907, for example, over 13,000 
dark interior rooms have been provided with windows 
giving admission to light and air, and nearly 6,500 
doors have been provided with glass panels to give 
light to dark hallways. Many other improvements 
have also been made. In the next article the 
progress of model tenement house construction 
will be considered, since the pioneers in this work 
have been the main promoters of the improved condi¬ 
tions brought about in 1901. 
c September issue.) 
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE MONTH 
FOR THE HOU3E AND GARDE! 
THE HOUSE 
J ULY is essentially a holiday month and if the 
householder has been expeditious he too can 
indulge in a vacation. But sometimes it is 
easier to do the little things as they come along than 
to hurry at the start and rest later. Some duties 
in fact will not be put aside and others at this partic¬ 
ular time court favor. 
It is well in midsummer to have the plumbing 
overhauled and to see that all the drains are in perfect 
order. If trees stand near the house it may be wise 
to see that the roof gutters have not been cluttered 
with blossoms and pods in such a way that the down 
spouts are obstructed. And the sanitation of the 
cellar also requires attention, dampness and heat 
often creating mischief. Whitewash is a splendid 
cleanser and borax scattered freely an excellent 
prevention of insect pests. Swinging shelves in a 
cool cellar are a great convenience, and a preserve 
closet specially constructed for the purpose where 
there is neither dampness nor excessive heat will be 
found well worth the cost. 
Now is the time to fit up and use the summer 
kitchen. To have the cooking as well as the laundry 
work done away from the house is a wonderful saving 
in heat and discomfiture. If this is not possible, 
however, use a gas range instead of the coal stove and 
send the bed and table linen to a laundry. But 
arrange to have a water-back attached either to the 
gas range or a stove so that hot water can be obtained 
at any time with the minimum delay. No matter 
how warm the weather may be this is a commodity 
which should always be on hand—one of the indis¬ 
pensable modern conveniences. 
If the city house is closed at this time care should 
be taken that the water is turned off and no risk of 
fire incurred by loose matches left lying around or 
greasy rags put in a closet. If in putting away carpets 
and rugs gasoline is used as a prevention against 
moths it should be handled with great caution. It 
is, however, excellent for this purpose and should 
one desire to leave a carpet down all summer a 
liberal sprinkling will almost insure it from damage. 
The floors in summer are a continual care but the 
experienced housekeeper does not find them a diffi¬ 
cult problem. To freshen matting wipe it up with a 
little salt in the water, and to keep the hard wood 
floors in good condition keep them well rubbed and 
polished. A flannel cloth wrapped around a broom 
makes a good floor duster and polisher, though for 
the latter purpose, a weighted brush is better. 
As some rainy days will come in July as well as in 
April it is good at this time to give some thought to 
the children’s playroom in order that there may be 
29 
