Sinks are made of wood, of wood lined with lead, or with copper, of cast iron, which may be galvanized or enameled, of copper, soap stone, slate or earthenware.

For pantry sinks tinned and planished copper is generally used, being preferable to porcelain or soap stone sinks, as glass and crockery is not as liable to breakage in them.

For kitchen and laundry sinks soap stone or iron is much used. Galvanizing or enameling the iron much improves the appearance of the sinks, but even these protective coatings wear off in time, and then the iron rusts rapidly. Of late earthenware sinks have been manufac tured up to large sizes and are undoubtedly the cleanest and neatest of all kinds.

Housemaids' sinks, used only to draw water, may be of small size and look most cleanly when manufactured in earthenware, although other materials are often employed.

Sinks should be provided with strong, metallic strainers, either open or plug strainers. In both cases the strainer should be securely fastened to the sink so as not to be removable by servants, in order to prevent obstructions of the waste pipe and trap. With plug strainers it is important that the sink should have an overflow pipe of sufficient capacity to carry off the full supply, in case the supply cock should be accidentally left open.

In most houses kitchen sinks are encased in tight woodwork, and consequently a close, damp as often noticeable in the compartment under a sink. This method of fitting up sinks is decidedly objectionable, and the common practice of using such unven-tilated closed spaces under a kitchen sink for the storage of kitchen utensils, or what is worse, cleaning rags, etc., should be strongly condemned. The space underneath a kitchen sink should be free to light and ventilation, and readily accessible for frequent cleansing. The sink may be supported by brackets, properly fastened to the walls, or it may rest on legs. The floor under the sink and the rear wall may be finished with white Minton tiles, which makes a neat and most cleanly arrangement.

The remarks just made as to the desirability of keeping the spaces under sinks entirely open apply also to pantry sinks and housemaid's sinks.