Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-04-19

cry IN the hrst place, and at the time
the house is butt. To put plumbing
into an old house that was not designed
to receive it is very expensive and
troublesome work. The great saving
OF woman's strength and patience when
the house is provided with running
water, stationary wash tubs, bath, ETC.,
is only appreciated by those who have
had the care of house not provided
with them.
By running the water pipes on in
side walls and taking care to protect
them by packing where they are neces-
sarily exposed, the danger Of freezing
and bursting will be done away with.
Neglect of these precautions is the
origin of three-quarters of the repair
bills. The supply to the hot water
boiler must be so arranged that it can
not fail, else the water-back in the
range will be burnt out. This can be
done by hanging an indicator in the
kitchen connected with the tank, to
show how much water is in the tank.
SO that, should the supply fail, the
stop-cocks at the top and bottom of the
boiler can be turned, keeping the water
from entering or leaving the boiler, and
thus keeping the water-back full. The
indicator is simply wire attached to
the copper float in the tank, which, as
the float lowers, rises correspondingly,
it being attached to the opposite end OF
the rod to which the float is attached.
1t is carried down over pulleys to the
kitchen, and the end is fixed against a
board marked off properly. A plum
met weighing little less than the float
should be attached to the end of the
wire to lower it again when the float
rises. Stationary washtubs should be
of earthenware, galvanized or enam.
eled iron, slate or soapstone. The
wooden tubs, while much cheaper
originally, get foul, and will have to be
replaced after few years service.
The sink should be of galvanized OF
enameled iron or earthenware, for the
reason that iron rusts and never looks
clean. A few dollars more spent in
this way is true economy. The water.
closet should be of porcelain or earth
enware, and of the "wash-out" pattern,
with an overhead flushing cistern sup
piled from the main tank. These are
manufactured under many different
names, but are the same thing and
equally good. No other pattern Of
closet is so simple, efficient and safe.
The cost of good porcelain closet with
trap (made in one piece and cistern is
about s25. The old-style pan closet,
with its weak, dribbling flush and foul
metal bowl is an abomination, and a
continual danger to the health OF
the householder. The wash-basin
should be oval, Of size not less than
15x19 inches; the cocks supplying the
same should not be less than J inch.
AS the system of wastage is where
the danger lies, it should receive the
greatest study and care. The main
drain from the house to the street OF
cess-pool must be trapped outside o.
the house and fresh air inlet provid
ed. The soil pipe must run up to an6
through the roof, SO that a draft of ali
through the pipes will be insured. All
fixtures must be separately trapped
and the traps ventilated to prevent
espionage. A competent architect o.
sanitary engineer should draw up tn
plumbing specifications and max
drawings if the work is at all compli
Gated. Wash-basins in bedrooms ar
dangerous, as sewer gas is subtle ane
will sometimes circumvent all plan
and precautions against it. If the,
are much desired there can be small
catch basin built to receive their vast.
alone. They should not be connected
with the main drain, sewer or cess
pool. The cost of fitting out a new
house with tank, boiler. range, two
earthenware tubs, galvanized sink, ons
water-closet, bath tub and basin-al1
work done in best manners about
1915.