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               hOMESTEAD ARCIILTECTIJRE.
 etc. is made of the English encaustic tiles; from the
 plate, upon which we exhibit six different patterns,
 an idea may be formed of the extent to which these
 combinations of forms     and colors may be carried.
 The prices per superficial foot   for furnishing and
 laying are attached to each combination represented,
 applying, however, to surfaces exceeding one square, or
 100 superficial feet; below this quantity the charges
 are necessarily a trifle  higher. The superiority of
 these tiles for vestibules, halls, conservatories, etc.
 consists mainly in the fact that their beauty suffers
little by abrasion of the colors in a long course of
years; they are easily cleansed, and when properly
selected with regard to harmony of color, are produc-
tive of a gay and lively effect.
  On the subject of wooden floors, it is needless to
make extended remark.        It is well understood by
most carpenters; indeed, the principal mystery con-
nected with flooring, viz , the best mode of making
and retaining tight joints, owing to the present fashion
of covering all floors with carpets and oil-cloths, is
considered  by many as      scarcely worth attention.
Yet it must be evident, upon a moment's thought,
that a well-laid, close-jointed floor is very desirable
under any circumstances.     How annoying it is to
hear the creaking of a loose board as the arm-chair
rocks to and fro, or even as you step carefully across
the room!    Milled boards, i.e.  boards planed and
matched by machinery, being, when properly wrought,
of uniform   thickness, are to be greatly preferred
where an eye is had to economy as well as to solidity.
Secret nailing may be resorted to where the floor 15
not to be covered, in which case the width of the