resting but which wouldn't be of
much real use to the homemaker, because they aren't so.

Leaving the everlastingly pestiferous question of cost aside, what is
the best all-around flooring? Well, so far no one has been able to
suggest anything that seems so appropriate as a good quality of hard
wood--which means oak or maple, or both--properly treated and, above
all, laid down as it should be. The flooring is a permanent part of
the house, or, if it isn't, we'll certainly wish it had been. As it is
subject to harder and more constant usage than any other part of the
structure, it must be strong, and it must have a surface that will
resist wear, or we shall simply store up trouble for the future. It is
also a part of the decorative scheme, and as such must help to furnish
the keynote of our plans. All these requirements are met by hard wood.

It is possible, we may admit, to have a happy and comfortable home with
cheaper flooring; but the price that is not paid in money will be
afterwards collected with interest in effort and sacrifice of
satisfaction. Doubtless it is not wise, as some one suggests, to put
so much money into our floors that we cannot afford to buy anything to
put on them; but in many instances the appearance of our house
interiors would be much more pleasing if fewer pieces of superfluous
furniture were brought in to cover the floors. At any rate, the
longed-for furniture may be "saved up for" and bought later; a mistake
in floors to start with is hard to rectify.

MATERIAL AND COST OF LAYING

Oak flooring comes in narrow, thin strips of plain- or quarter-sawed.
At this writing the plain-sawed costs, laid, usually 16 cents per
square foot. It will never be cheaper. Where quarter-sawed is
desired, a cent per foot must be added. Borders, which are by no means
essential, cost from 20 to 45 cents per lineal foot (laid). In a
country house, where local artisans do the laying, the expense may be
somewhat less for labor. But it must be remembered that fine floor
laying is a trade of itself, and that the time to make sure of the work
being properly done is when the wood is put in. If the building is
properly constructed, a bulging or cracked floor is unnecessary. At
all events, if we are in doubt as to the village carpenter's skill, we
would do well to pay the few dollars extra for the expert from the
city. Careful measurements are also important, especially with borders
and parquetry.