The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-08-27
A Few Words on Cellars.

Those who failed to purify their cell
lars thoroughly in the spring cannot ex-
pect wholly to escape, through this hot
weather; the consequences Of their neg
lect. The vitiated air therein becomes
more and more vitiated as the heat
increases, and since much of it finds its
way continually into living and sleeping
rooms, it must prove more or less dele
FERROUS according to the nature and
amount of the impurities that faint it.
If decaying vegetables and other refuse
be carried out in the spring, and the
floor be mopped or scrubbed off some-
what, this is generally considered sufi-
cient for the cellar, which is out of sight,
and too frequently therefore scout of
mind" The question of dry or damp,
clean or unclean cellars is more i'm
portant one than many seem to think.
Unless this apartment is kept with at
least tolerable neatness, no matter how
perfect the parlor, kitchen and other
rooms may be, pure air-the first and
primary element of good housekeeping,
as also of good health-cannot be OBJ
tanned.
Too frequently barrels of pork and
brine, perhaps old and tainted, and
emitting most disagreeable and un-
wholesome smell, along with soap-kegs,
jars of half-spoiled soap-grease, and the
like, are allowed in the cellar, and in
close proximity to butter and milk,
which, as is well known, readily absorbs
impurities and strong odors. These
should never be allowed in a room used
for milk, butter, fruit, and the like, but
should be stored in separate apartment,
or what is better still, in some building
or outside cellar entirely apart from the
house. Often decaying timbers and
floors, Shiny and wet, are to be found in
cellars; walls dripping with moisture
and covered with mold; along with sour
and musty milk-shelves and cup-boards;
all lending their noxious exhalations to
the air.
The less there is which is made of
wood in a cellar the better, as the air is
necessarily more damp than in rooms
above ground, and consequently more
favorable for molds. All necessary ia
bles and shelves should be smooth and
plain, so that they may be easily cleaned
while the floors should never be of wood,
but of stone. brick or cement; the latter
being probably best, or as good, with
less expense. These, if nicely laid, are
nearly as smooth as plastered walls, and
if not brought into service till dry and
well hardened, and then used with rea-
sonable care, will remain smooth and
unbroken for years, and may be scrub
bed or mopped off nearly as easily as a
floor. The wall from the ground to the
ceiling, as also overhead, should be
lathed and plastered. This renders the
cellar warmer in winter and cooler in
summer, while it also gives better
chance to apply whitewash. This is a
great sweetener and purifier, and
rough coat of it should be laid over the
entire side walls and ceiling every spring.
Windows should be of good size, and
hung on hinges that they may be opened
and shut at pleasure. Wire screens
should be put up on the outside to keep
out insects and other troublesome in
truders; then by judicious and liberal
ventilation, closing through the heat OF
the day, but opening freely on cool
nights and mornings and breezy after
moons, a cellar may be made cool and
pleasant apartment, as sweet and whole
some almost as the dining-room or par.
lor.-C0r. Country Gentleman.