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Carpet Stretcher

First of all, the carpet must be cut into suitable lengths for the room, allowing for the proper matching of the breadths. It is then sewn together, breadth upon breadth, until the proper width is obtained. Then tack it down upon two sides, one way with the length and the other across the breadth, being careful to stretch all equally. It must be cut and fitted to inequalities, when necessary, and if a bay window is to be carpeted, this must be allowed for in cutting. The other two sides are then tacked down, the stretching always being carefully attended to, so that when finished, it will lie perfectly flat and without wrinkles. XI. Painting and Kalsomining.

It is always better, if you can afford it, to hire both painting and kalsomining done by competent mechanics. If you do this, a perfect understanding must be had that the material shall be of the best, and that it shall not be dropped about the floors and over the furniture. There is no reason whatever why a person who understands his business should mess up a house with either paint or kalsomine. No person who takes little enough on the brush at a time of properly mixed material, need make a slop. If a dirty wall is to be kalsomined, never allow the size or first coat to be put on until the wall has been washed. This is done with a large sponge dipped in warm water, and pressed until nearly dry. This will wash off the dirt without dripping. With good brushes any one can soon learn to kalsomine, and to do common painting. A mistake, too often made, is not mixing at first enough material of the required color to do the whole work. If you keep mixing a little at a time you never have