Suggestions regarding the finish for natural woods in interior work are always interesting, and our readers are likely to obtain a hint or two regarding this matter from the reply presented in a recent issue of the Painter's Magazine to a correspondent of 'that journal, who stated that he desired to give a dull finish to the wood work of three rooms, one of which was to be in birch, another in oak and the third in Georgia pine. He wanted to know the best method of producing the desired result, stating that he had had poor success in filling oak, and raised the question if he should apply two coats of paste filler. In conclusion he inquired what was best for rubbing, pumice stone and water or pumice stone and oil ?

In reply to these questions the journal named offered the following: Birch belong3 to the close grained woods and does not necessarily require filling, yet where it has been stained, many finishers are of the opinion that paste filler colored to suit the stain brings out some pretty effects not otherwise obtained. Whether filled or not, at least one coat of white shellac •should be applied before the rubbing varnish is put on, and the latter need not be extra pale for this wood. Two coats of interior or cabinet rubbing varnish at least are required for a good finish, and three coats are none too many. Each coat of varnish should be permitted to stand 48 hours, and then be lightly rubbed with steel wool or curled hair before applying the next coat. The final coat should be allowed to stand at least three days, and then be rubbed to a dull finish with pumice stone and water. The work must be cleaned up well, and if the finish is too dull, go over it with a little rotten stone and rubbing oil. The pumice stone must be free from grit in order to avoid scratches.

White oak, as well as dark oak, belongs to the coarse, open grained variety of woods, and is difficult to fill properly. However, we do not believe in two applications of paste filler, and if one application is insufficient the fault is with the quality of the filler, though it may be in a measure due to inferiority of the wood.

Color the paste filler, if necessary, to suit the wood, apply one full coat, allow to set from 15 to 30 minutes, remove the surplus with waste or excelsior shavings, and after 24 hours sandpaper lightly and dust off. Then apply a thin coat of white shellac varnish, and when dry, again sandpaper lightly and you will find the wood well filled. Now apply the interior rubbing varnish, treating each coat as described for birch. Georgia pine is a sappy, close grained wood and requires no paste filler, but it is best to give a thin coat of white shellac varnish, which, when dry should be sandpapered lightly. Over this coat of shellac as many coats of interior rubbing varnish as your contract will permit should be applied, each coat to be rubbed as above. A light colored varnish is recommended, because varnish of dark color does not make a good appearance over this wood.