Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-03-05

Staine-l Floors.

The practice of staining boarded
floors darker shade than the original
color of the wood, or to initiate some
more costly timber than deal or pine, is
now so universal that it may seem an
insult to common sense and ordinary
intelligence to offer any suggestions up
on the subject. The mistake of sending
Goals to Newcastle, of gliding lilies,
and performing works of Supererogatlon
generally, IS frequently alluded to in
polite society; but with respect to floor
staining there are several modes, some
good, some bad, some Indifferent, and
they all vary considerably in cost. So
long as oak stain was the only one which
society desired to see upon its boards,
there was little choice of materials.
Manufacturers advertised certain mix
lures at SO much per quart, and the
householder purchased, only so far di-
luting the stain with water as to impart
a lighter or darker shade to the wood.
Advancing on these lines, the next
stage was the production of stains al
ready graduated in tone, and selection
could be made of either No. l, 2, 4,
according to taste. But as the high art
drawing-room became the great object
of so many women's lives and labOrs,
and the search after knowledge sent
them running to and fro upon the earth,
trade secrets leaked out, and as new
fashions developed themselves in dwell
ing-hOuSeS, new resources were diScOy-
cred to compass the ends desired.
The dark oak floor is no longer de
rigueur, for light polished floors are very
much more preferred just at present.
Much depends upon the condition of the
bOardS-if they are smooth, close III
grain, and affOrding fine surface to
receive the future polish. If the floor
be an old one which cannot be planed
smooth, time, temper and trouble are
wasted in trying to give a satin wood
or pitch pine look TO it. 1t is better to
accept the inevitable, and 90 i'll for dark
oak or dark mahogany.
Some stains can be rubbed IN with a
sponge or cloth; others, in which hurt
ful cOmponents are introduced, must be
applied with brush. Pour the STAIN
ing liquid into saucer, dip into it the
brush or cloth, saturate thoroughly rub
evenly over the wood and instantly dry
OFF the stained surface with handful
of rags or other soft waste. To insure
succ IS this work must be done quickly,
and, it is almost needless to add, even
iy,
Taking the fashionable floor of the
present day first, which is of a pale shade
of oak, sized and vanished, it can beprO-
duced with Sienna. powder bought at
the paint shops, and mixed with water.
The first experience of a raw-Sienna
stain is calculated to strike horror
to the breast of the mistress of the
house, the result is SO bright and so
painfully, starin ,ly yellow. But sizing
tones down the strong color surprising
ly, and the polish briggs il TO ultimate
perfection.
Should mahogany staining be desired
a mixture is requisite. The following
isa cheap and simple one: Half a pound
of madder, two ounces of lOgwOod chips
boiled in a gallon of water, brush over
the wood while hot. When dry go over
the whole with peIrlaSh sOlution-twO
drachmS to quart of water. Size the
polish. If a redder shade is required it
can be produced by smearing the surface
with a strong solution of permanganate
of potash, which is left on for a longer
or shorter time, according to the shade
required; in most cases five minutes
will be enough. The wood is then care
fully washed, dried and polished in the
ordinary way.