The first illustration shows how carpet or matting was put down without sewing the pieces together. Recall that in 1870 even even if carpets completely covered a floor wall to wall, they still came in separate rolls that were pieced together in the home.
The second illustration shows the edge of a carpet being secured to the floor with the new type of tacks.
The picture shows a window shade secured with the new style tacks. The tacks were also recommended as an excellent substitute for stair-rods.