Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-09-14
A FEW WORDS on CELLARS.

Those who failed to purify their
cellars thoroughly in the Spring can.
not expect wholly to escape, through
this hot weather, the consequences of
their neglect. The vitiated air therein
becomes more and more vitiated as the
heat increases, and since much Of il
finds its way continually into living
and sleeping rooms, ii must prove
more or less deleterious according TO
the nature and amount of impurities
that taint it. If dccaying Vegetables
and other refuse be carried out in the
Spring, and the floor be mopped or
scrubbed Off somewhat, that is gener.
ally considered sufficient for the cellar,
which is out of sight, and too fire.
quently therefore out of mind" The
question of dry or damp, clean or un-
clean cellars is more important one
than many seem to think. Unless this
apartment is kept with at least tolera-
bic 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 obtained.
Too frequently barrels of pork and
brine, perhaps old and tainted, and
emitting most disagreeable and I'M
wholesome smell, along with soap
kegs, jars of hali-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
absorb impurities and strong odors.
These should never be allowed in
room used for milk, butter, fruit, and
the like, but should be stored in a sepa.
rate apartment, or what is better still,
in some building or outside cellar en-.
tirely apart from the house. Often
decaylng 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
milkshelves and cupboards; all lend |
ing their noxious exhalations to the
air.
The less there is which is made of |
wood in q cellar the better, as the air
is necessarily more damp than in rooms
above ground, and consequently more
favorable for molds. All necessary
tables 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 bost
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 reasonable care, will
remain smooth and unbroken for years,
and may be scrubbed or mopped off
nearly as easily as a floor. The wall
from the ground TO the ceiling, as also
overhead, should be lathed and plaster.
ed. This renders the cellar warmer
in Winter and cooler in Summer, while
it also gives q better chance to apply
whitewash. This is a great sweetner
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 on the out
side to keep out insects and other
troublesome intruders then by judi
cious and liberal ventilation, closing
through the heat Of the day, but
opening freely on cool nights and
mornings and breezy afternoons, a
cellar may be made cool and pleasant
apartment, as sweet and wholesome
almost as a dining.room or parlor.