But remember that all'heavy-weight papers in solid colors, as ingrain, du plex, or cartridge papers, and most cloth or fabric wall coverings, must be " butted " rather than overlapped. That is, the edges must be placed close enough together to cover the wall, but without overlapping each other.
To fit around doors, window cas ings, and other jogs, cut and paste a full strip, apply it to the wall at the ceiling, and press with a cloth down to the top of the door or window frame and along the side of the ad jacent wall. Press carefully up to the frame and cut along the edge with a sharp knife to take out the section of paper which comes over the door or window. It will assist to clip diagonally with shears toward the corner of the opening, taking care not to clip too far, although the di agonal clipping, if it extends into the paper on the wall, may be concealed by carefully bringing the edges to gether.
To Paper a Rough Wa11.—To paper old walls of boards, planks, or wains coting without plaster, or sanded walls that have not been " skimmed " with plaster or lime, or other rough sur faces, it may be necessary to first hang a layer of cotton cloth to furnish a smooth surface on which to hang paper. The difficulty of hanging paper on a rough surface is that the paper, being stiff, does not yield to the de pressions in the wall. Hence air spaces are left that cause the paper to blister and peel off. The advan tages of using cloth are that it is flexible, that it takes up more paste than paper does, and hence that it adheres more closely to the wall. It affords a smooth and suitable surface on which to hang paper, and gives the final result a good appearance. First go over rough surfaces with sand paper. Tack this to a large block of wood, into which, to avoid using a stepladder, insert an old broom han dle.
Next apply liberally to the walls hot boiled flour or other suitable paste containing a tablespoonful of borax to each gallon of water. Cover with paste one strip at a time, and immedi ately hang on the wet wall any suit able cotton stuff. Unbleached cotton sheeting or cheese cloth answers this purpose; or old sheets, pillowcases, and the like may be utilized. After hanging the cloth, brush it down with a whitewash brush dipped in the hot paste, and allow it to dry. Then hang the wall paper in the usual manner.
To Paint Rough Walls.—To obtain a suitable surface for painting or tint ing in colors on rough boards, sanded walls, stucco, or other rough surfaces, first apply a layer of cotton cloth as above and hang a cheap, light-colored wall paper. When dry, pare- off with a potato knife the seams in the paper caused by overlapping the edges, run ning the sharp edge down the seam from top to bottom, or use carefully an old razor for this purpose. Apply two or three coats of paint and white varnish alternately, allowing one to dry before putting on the next. The varnish will prevent the paint from becoming soiled, and the surface will last a lifetime.
To Paint a Whitewashed Wall.— Scrape off the loose lime with any blunt-edged tool. A hoe is convenient. Go over the wall with sandpaper tacked to a large block of wood and fastened to a handle. Wash with a sponge to remove the lime and let dry. Fill cracks and breaks with plaster of Paris. They will be concealed by the paint. Do not use putty for this pur pose, as that when dry would have a different-looking surface. Apply one or two coats of shellac or glue size, 3 or 4 ounces of either to a gallon of boiling water. Cover with any suit able paint and varnish.