The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-04-08
Paper Hanging.

From the Scientific American. H
Again the season has arrived for the
renovation Of dwellings, in which process
the operation Of paper hanging is one oil
the most prominent. In cities, this Is
either trade by itself, or is carried on as
IN adjunct TO tho painters trade. In ru-
raj districts, however, there. are many
housekeepers who are obliged u do THIS
work for themselves. We shall therefore
not attempt to adapt the present article to
the wants Of the professional paper hang
er, butte those of the general reader.
The first thing 10 DO thought Of Is the
selection CT paper hangings In purchas-
ing, every one, Of course, tries 10 select
that which is most in accordance with
good taste andWith the means OF the
buyer, No specific directions can be
given on this head, but 1t Is doubtful
economy 10 let n difference in price, OF q
few cents roll, lead to the purchase of a
very inferior article, that will not only
give great trouble in hanging, but will be
an eyesore so long as Il disfgurcs the
walls upon which 1t Is hung.
The paper being purchased, the walls
should next 10 looked 10, in order 10 DO
sure that they arc in proper condition 10
hold the paper. A new unwhitCwashed
wall will absorb tho paste so rapidly that,
before drying, there will he LEFT too little
body Of paste on the surface 10 hold the
paper. Acoating Of good glue size, made
by dlssOlvingR half pound Of glue in a
gallon Of water, or a coating Of good
paste, put on and allowed to dry before
tho paper Is hung, will provide for this
difficulty.
II the wall be witewashed, IL should be
scratched with stiff brush, TO remove
every particle Of loose lime from tho sur.
face; after which IL should he thoroughly
swept down with o broom, and coated
with the glucsiEe or thin paste.
Along table ofthln boards cheated to-
gether and placed on wooden horses,
such as are used by carpenters, a pair Of
sharp slicars-with long blades ifposSible
"a Whitewash brush, u pail for paste, and
II yard OfcOtton cloth, arc tho implements
required. The table or board platform
should be level on It's upper surface 10 fA-
cilitate the distribution Of the paste. The
latter should be free from Jumps, and
should be laid on aS evenly as possible.
1t should DO made of good sweet rye OF
wheat flour, beaten smooth In cold water
before boiling, and should not DO allowed
TO boil more than minute or two, but
should be raised to tho boiling point slow.
ly, being continually stirred til it Is taken
from the fire.
Inexpert hands often find difficulty In
making the patterns match In tho juxta.
posed pieces. No general directions can
be given for this, but u little study at the
outset will often save cutting to waste
and other difficulties. In this matter, as
in Others, 1t is wise to first be sure you
are right, then 60 ahead" As soon as
the proper way to cut paper Is decided
upon, o whole roll, or more, may be cut
ut once, and the pieces laid printed side
downwards, upon the table, weights be-
ing placed upon the ends to prevent curl.
Ing. The paste should then be applied
10 the back Of the uppermost 'piece, as
expediCiously as possible, as tho longer
the time employed in this part Of the
UpGLuIluut luz LuOLG ISuACL Will tLlo phpeL
get, and the more difficult 1t will DO to
lay 1t properly. La
The upper end Of the piece should then
be taken by the corners, and the operator
stepping upon n bench or Btep.laddet
should barely stick the piece at the top
\ and in such u manner that the edge shall
coincide with the piece previously hung;
this can be done by sighting down tic
trimmed edge Of the piece, while it Is held
in the hands. Tho cloth should now be
held in a loose bunch, and the paper
smoothed with It from top to bottom,
care being taken to work out all air from
under the paper, which, il not thoroughly
done, viii giyGita vary unslghtly blister
ed appearance.
If the wall be unevenor crooked, es Is
oElen the case in old houses, 1t will DO difH
kcultto avoid wrinkles, but they can ,bI
mostly RotFids Of, by cutting The paper
and allowing the cut edges 10 lap ovel
each other, 10 places where there would
otherwise be wrinkle.
By following these directions the most
inexperienced will be able to do areason
ably tidy piece Of work, but Of courst
much skill is only secured by practice.
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