New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-16
81 A#l&!
CARING FOR HOUSES THAT RAVE BEu1sr
CLOSED DURING WINTER

There are thousands OF cottages and
homes opened for the first time during the month
OF roses. when sunshine and fragrance I'LL the
air and seem to Danish all spectres of miasma and
dampness But In spite of the attractive appear
ance Of things no house that has been shut up for
the space Of six months or for half that time,
Is Mt to be used dwelling place without thor
cugh airing and drying Not less than twenty-four
hours should be spent In this way II the house has
been closed for six months. There always
hotels and boarding places ever in the most distant
country settlements. where some one, who goes on
In advance, stay that the country house
Is properly prepared for the rest of the family. Il
certainly pays to that this is done thoroughly.
Many a mysterious Of virulent throat
other severe Illness may be traced TO moving into .
house full Of the dampness which gathers In all UNI
aired buildings. and TO the gases OF sewers and
other impurities which develop in some of the most
Clearly dwellings when they remain shut up for
long period.
1t does not take much labor prepare house
fol occupancy II 1t is carefully cleaned before being
shut up To close house without first cleaning
thoroughly is to run the risk Of finding an un-
healthy condition when It Is opened Such a house
must be thoroughly cleaned and fumigated to
render II wholesome residence That every
season people into houses without taking
these precautions and escape does alter the
fact. The most important thing TO do In opening q
house the first time for the Is to all tho
windows and doors. especially the ones TO cup
boards and closets and all other shut-in places
where foul air find Judgement. The next thing
Is to turn on the water and let every water faucet
for two hours more. until the waste pipes
and sewer fully flushed out. 1t is good plan
to pour about FIVE cents worth OF copperas. dis
solved in pail OF boiling water down the kitchen
sink and all other places which need dsinfectins.
Kinde fire In all the repaces Of the house. to as
slst in airing and drying out the rooms. Let the
rooms be swept and busted thoroughly and the
windows washed. The beds Of the house, which
should have been left lifted out OF the bedstead.
should now be put In place. after first examining
the bedstead and busting the springs Unforsu-
nately that noxious and unceany insect. the oona-
bedbug. sometimes finds a lodging In the
cleanest houses and is especially partial 10 vacant
There many sources, Including public
conveyances OF all kinds from which these insects
may come. and II undisturbed in the spring they
will increase rapidly. There are great many
preventives. The best is fresh pure Persian In
sect powder purchased from a thoroughly trust
worthy druggist This Is harmless vegetable
powder OF pulverized flowers OF the pyrethrum
roseum, variety OF the common feverfew OF our
gardens. which grows in the Caucasian mountaine.
Keep fresh powder In the bedsteads and In all
places about the bedrooms OF a vacant house where
Insects lodge. When put in fresh It Is more
fatal to these insects than any of the dangerous
poisons sold for the purpose. II once these pests
begin to increase rapidly, nothing but thorough
fumgation with sulphur will exterminate them.