Page:Cyclopedia of Painting-Armstrong, George D (1908).djvu/299

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PAPER HANGING
291

then carefully draw the strip over and paste the other end, folding again so as to meet the end already folded. In this condition the paper will not leave any of the pasted surface outward, and as there are at least two thicknesses, it will not be very difficult to lift it from the table. With a little care the lower portion of the paper may be folded again for convenience in carrying. Commence at a projecting corner of a. door or window, or at any other position where a mis-match will show the least. Climb the step ladder, which must, of course, be provided, unfold the upper end of the paper, place it carefully beneath the cornice and down the marked line, press it against the wall with a brush, taking care that there are no air bubbles left. Then unfold another portion, and press this down also, and proceed in the same way until the bottom of the length is reached, when it will be found that a portion of the length which was cut too long projects over the skirting board. Draw the point of the scissors lightly along this edge, which will mark the paper, pull the lower end of the strip away from the wall, and cut off this superfluous portion of the paper, and press the whole back in position; one length of paper will thus have been hung. Before pasting the second length, see that you have it cut correctly at the top to watch when placing it in position. Paperhangers frequently manage this on the wall itself, using the lower member of the cornice as a guide to mark the upper edge of the length, and they cut this superfluous top edge while standing on the ladder. The paperhanger will do much better to get the upper portion right before he pastes the paper. A paperhanger's brush should be used to press the paper to the wall. These brushes are usually used where speed is required; they require a little practice before one becomes expert with them. Where a border or frieze is to be hung, the proceeding is precisely similar to that already described, except that the width of the paper is much less, and it is, of course, hung horizontally instead of vertically. If the