does not know the difference between the old and the new, and may be taken by the appearance of the modern rug, which is very often washed with "acid" to give it the softness and mellowness of color that distinguish the old rugs; he does not know that after a short while the rug will fade and its colors will wash out, and it will become ugly to look at, like everything imitation.

How Do We Choose One?

It is very difficult, or rather impossible, for the buyer who lacks wide experience of rugs to tell the difference between rugs made with chemical colors and washed with acid, and old rugs made with vegetable colors. This knowledge comes only after viewing a great number of rugs; then the eye grows practiced, and only then does distinguishing become possible. But there are a few simple counsels the buyer may call upon, the chief of which are:

1 — If the rug is perfectly even in its edges and colors, it is most likely new; but if its edges are uneven and there is some variation in the very body of the colors of which it is made — if, for example, there is a red color in one part of the rug and the red in another part is not identical — then it is most likely old. This is because the old rugs were made on wooden looms, and the wood would often bend or lean, so that the edges of the rug came out uneven; and as to the colors, the wool of this or that color might run short, and the same colors could not be obtained as in chemical manufacture.

2 — The rug should be turned over and pressed firmly on all sides; if it has been washed with acid and damaged, it may break in your hands.

3 — Moisten the rug with spirits or with kerosene and rub it a little; if it has been washed, the smell of the acid will appear.

Cleaning Rugs:

Cleaning rugs is one of the matters of great concern to the housewife, and here are some directions that should be followed in cleaning and preserving a rug:

1 — Do not use the electric vacuum cleaner often; if it can be avoided altogether, so much the better, for frequent use of it shortens the life of the rug.

2 — Do not put the rug over a "railing" and expose it to beating, for that harms it greatly, especially in the part near the "railing."

3 — In spring, when you wish to clean the rugs, take them outside, turn the rug over on its back on the ground, use the carpet beater, and then gather the dust from under the rug, repeating this until it is clean; then leave the rug in the open air for a day or two. When putting it away, "naphthalene or D.D.T." should be placed in it, and there

is no harm in wiping it with a little kerosene; it is better to roll it rather than fold it. As for using the leaves of the "chinaberry" tree, they must be used dry.

4 — Old rugs with vegetable colors may be washed with native soap made of olive oil and set in the sun, which gives them beauty and luster; but that does not suit new rugs, for setting them in the sun exposes their colors to change.

"The information in this article was prepared by Mr. Albert Khoury, one of the proprietors of the shops of Ibrahim Esber al-Khoury and Sons."

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