at a price which will always insure the owner getting his money back
if at any time he wishes to dispose of them. But the purchaser should
be certain that the bargains offered are real ones, for rug-stores,
like trunk-stores, always seem to be selling out "at a sacrifice."
All Oriental rugs are well made, and, with proper usage, will last for
generations, even enhancing in value. Therefore, they are always safe
investments. Oriental rug-dealers repair rugs at a fair price for the
time spent in doing so.

Since the floor space of a room with rugs in it is about two-thirds
bare, the rugs will often not exceed the cost of a good carpet.

Hard woods take best a finish in brown or green, that gives an impress
of natural texture impossible to secure by paint. Hardwood floors should
be polished at least once a week with floor-wax, a simple compound of
beeswax and turpentine, which can be made at home, or bought at the
stores. This is useful for polishing any floor or woodwork. When the
floor is not of hardwood, it may be stained. All varieties of stains
are sold, the most durable, though the most expensive being the
old-fashioned oil oak-stain. For the parlor and other floors, and
corridors, stairways, etc., that do not get much wear, as well as for
hardwood work in general, varnishing saves time and labor in cleaning.

For proper staining, the wood should be thoroughly scrubbed with soap
and water; then, when dry, brushed over with hot size. Use concentrated
size, a dry powder, rather than that in jelly form, as it is more
convenient. It is dissolved and should be applied with a broad
paint-brush. The application should be very rapid to prevent congealing
and setting in lumps on the boards; accordingly the bowl containing
the size should be set in boiling water until it is thoroughly liquid,