THE NECESSITY OF GOOD FLOORS

Happily, when we come to floors we find that those which may be
depended upon to endure and to give their share of home comfort are
also the best to look upon. It would be agreeable to say, further,
that they cost least, but that would be misleading. This book fails to
say not a few things that would be interesting 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