New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-09
HOMES ON THE WATER
Popularity of HOUSEKEEPING
GROWING in This Country.

The househoat season is now open. THOSE
who are blessed BY living near q large
body of water o. a river that IS used TOT
boating can enjoy the summer on house
boat This way OF living was started SOW
eral wears ago by persons Who grew tired
Of the cities during the hot summer
months. and Il, has proved such \ pleasure
and success that thousands OK families
have taken II w.
The houscbost home can he made just as
snug and comfortable as any home IN the
CITY. and the occupants can Thoroughly en-
ioy themselves without the heat OF the
cities Here Is the way one ideal house
boat was made: II vas 0-foot craft
with A width of 10 feet The interior was
A study OF domestic Arrangement. There
was sitting room and bedroom conf
bined I'm the bow of the boat. Back OF this
was the dining room, and just back or this
the tiny kitchen The kitchen was calcu-
lated 10 make the heart of the average nat
dwcller hutter with delight. II was
dream of I.liputian arrangement But the
crowninG glory Of the boat was the roof
garden. on the upper deck all manner az
clinging vines and plants were swung. An
awning covered that portion Of the boat.
and IL was there that the voyagers loved 10
gather when the boat was moving.
The housetoat dweler has all the river
or lake for his playground during the sum-
mer and until late In the autumn. He can
range wherever he likes. wherever the Ash
ing is To his liking or the winds are cool
est lie can tie up and stay in one place
as lorg as his fancy dictates.
Thus the summer on houseboat is one
of the most enjoyable ways OF spending
the summer months. Many of the owners
of houseboats living I'm cities close up their
homes IN the summer and move to the
rivers or lakes. They take their families
with them, and the children find their
amusement in fishing and other aquatic
sports The wife has plenty of things 10
take up her time and grows TO love the
life Other houseboat owners only use
them tor the weekend. On Saturday
afternoon they In company with their
families, repair To the water home. Ii the
boat has no engine IL is towed to the rest
ing place. where II is anchored for over
sunday Then on SUNDAY evening or Mon
day morning it is towod back 10 tho city
and left until the following Saturday. In
this way the Weekend is spent in fishing
and having a general good time
Tho arrangement OF the average house
boat depends great deal upon its size
and the incinatiors Of the owners There
should always be large berths, for here IS
where much OF the comfort of the night
spent on the water IS derived These
berths can he arranged in such a manner
that they Will fold up during the day. and
Will not be In the way The kitchen is an
other important feature. 1t can be fur
nlshed with small table. articles that are
absolutely necessary in cooking and a
small oil OF gasolcne stove. Where there
Is scarcity Of room the berths can be ar
ranged against the walls when not in use
and that room can I've used for the dining
room. This saves much space and does
not cause so ipuch work for the house
wife.
Physicians have oeen asked to give their
opinion Of the life on "A houseboat. and
nearly all OF them have said that this
method of passing the summer should be
beneficial. There Is nc dust on the water,
as there is on the city streets. and to dust
have been blamed many OF the summer
illnesses TO the housewife there are no
terrors in housekeeping on a houseboat.
The work j. very easy.
IIouseboatlng, while practically new In
this country. originated on the Thames
River, IN England. On that stream the
water Is almost crowded with family boats
during the hot weather kIeh and poor
alike use the river for their pleasure.
Beautiful boats and snug little homelike
vessels search for space TO anchor They
are placed in the stream early in the
spring and summer, and there they stay
until cold weather comes. The houseboats
on the English river are made in various
styles. but they are all arranged FOR con-
for,