Furniture in the Tropics

The institution of sweeping the roads, streets and compounds of public buildings in most towns is a public nuisance for which the city fathers are responsible. The dust rises in the air and falls into the houses within its reach, especially into the rooms on the first floor. All such surfaces which harbour loose dust should be watered before they are swept. The floors should be mopped with wet swabs, floor clothes or cotton waste. In Calcutta specially made jute mops, used like an Indian broom, are available. Floors should be washed regularly at least once a week with phenyle of which several kinds with not an unpleasant smell are available.