We will now leave oil-cloth and kamptulicon, and try what “Keene’s cement” will do for an “air-tight” partition of a house. At No. 16, Mark Lane, London, a partition was constructed of sound yellow deal quarters, covered externally with “Keene’s cement, on lath, both sides.” It was removed about two years after its construction, when it was found that the timber was completely _perished from dry rot_; so much so, that the timbers parted in the middle in places, and were for some time afterwards moist. It is still unfortunately the custom to keep up the old absurd fashion of disguising woods, instead of revealing their natural beauties. Instead of wasting time in perfect imitations of scarce or dear woods, it would be much better to employ the same amount of time in fully developing the natural characteristics of many of our native woods, now destined for decorative purposes because they are cheap and common; although many of our very commonest woods are very beautifully grained, but their excellences for ornamentation are lost because our decorators have not studied the best mode of developing their beauties. Who would wish that stained deal should be painted in imitation of oak? or that the other materials of a less costly and inferior order should have been painted over instead of their natural faces being exposed to view? There are beauties in all the materials used. The inferior serve to set off by comparison the more costly, and increase their effect. The red, yellow, and white veins of the pine timber are beautiful: the shavings are like silk ribbons, which only nature could vein after that fashion, and to imitate which would puzzle all the _tapissiers_ of the Rue Mouffetard, in Paris. Why should not light and dark woods be commonly used in combination with each other in our joinery? Wood may be stained of various shades, from light to dark. The dirt or dust does not show more on stained wood than it does on paint, and can be as easily cleaned and refreshed by periodical coats of varnish. Those parts subjected to constant wear and tear can be protected by more durable materials, such as finger-plates, &c. Oak can be stained dark, almost black, by means of bichromate of potash diluted with water. Wash the wood over with a solution of gallic acid of any required strength, and allow it to thoroughly dry. To complete the process, wash with a solution of iron in the form of “tincture of steel,” or a decoction of vinegar and iron filings, and a deep and good stain will be the result. If a positive black is required, wash the wood over with gallic acid and water two or three times, allowing it to dry between every coat; the staining with the iron solution may be repeated. Raw linseed oil will stay the darker process at any stage.