The runners of some rockers are too short and consequently stop the motion too abruptly to be comfortable. The back, arms, cushions, etc., should all be the correct shape and height. It is very difficult to judge a rocker by looking at it. Some rockers are comfortable for some persons and not for others. Chairs may vary somewhat in the tilting position; for that reason it is best to sit in a chair before purchasing it, an advantage that can not be had when buying from a picture. If a rocker has a spring seat, notice the number of springs, whether five or seven or more. Turn up the rocker and look under the seat.

Notice the way they are fastened together and into the rocker seat.

The quality of upholstery should have careful consideration. Leather of first quality (see chapter on leather) is fine grained and very pliable; if second grade it will be coarser grained and not as pliable, and if of still lower grade it will be stiffer and very harsh to the touch. The last grade is not good at any price, and one should be very cautious in buying even the second grade.

Notice whether the runners are securely glued into the chair posts or whether they are fastened with nails or screws from the bottom. As strength is a vital consideration, see that the rear posts of a rocker run from the runners up through the seat and form a part of the back, and that the front posts run from the runners up through the seat and fasten into the arms in the front. Spindle back rockers are not as comfortable as are those with panel backs. Notice whether the arms of the rockers are fastened on with a screw through the back post and a couple of spindles running to the seat, or whether they are more substantially built by being jointed to the front post which runs from the rocker runner up to the arm, and see also that the arm is run into and flush with the back post. Large, high backed chairs and rockers make good living room furniture, and many Morris chairs are used in the living rooms, as well as the adjustable back kind, or the kind with the seat and back which work automatically The disappearing foot rest, which slides out and provides a perfect rest for the feet and then slides back out of sight when not in use, is attached to many of these chairs. A newspaper basket which is sometimes used for sewing or smoking materials is often concealed in these foot rests. Many of the patent Morris chairs are very satisfactory and comfortable. In buying chairs of any kind the plain upholstered ones will save much labor for the housekeeper.

The large Turkish rockers which were so popular until recently are being displaced with the more attractive English styles with smaller loose cushion seats and hacks.