August 1934

Across the Editor's Desk

COMMENTING upon our June frontispiece, "The Challenge," a North Carolina reader tells us a most touching story of a series of misfortunes. But bravely she goes on to say that the dogwood was beautiful this year, and she has her heart still open to the fascination and solace of her garden and the birds.

The Log Jam is Broken!

AS I write this in Washington, the President has just signed the National Housing Act, breaking, to my way of thinking in view of the facts I have unearthed here, the home-loan log jam that has kept thousands and thousands of people from remodeling and modernizing their homes to make them more comfortable and to bring them up to the standards of the times.

The Diary of a Plain Dirt Gardener

Aug. 1 Out betimes, which means about 6 BB, did grasp my Mussolini hoe-- to wit, the Italian grape hoe-- and set to work at the bed of new peonies at the back and kept at it until they had all been dug over. (You know, BB means before breakfast.)

IT'S News TO ME!

What's new at the Fair this year? So many, many things. We like it fine, had a great time! The 1934 Century of Progress is magnificent, dignified, eye-opening. Grounds make a symphony of color with remarkable night-lighting.

Singing Insects

THE Japanese have odd ways of enjoying many simple things. They tie whistles to the wings of their pigeons. They get a great deal of fun, grown-ups as well as youngsters, out of flying kites. They grow bizarre dwarf trees that seem suitable for trolls and elves.

Garden Highlights

IN THE hot days of July and August white is a crying necessity in the garden. When the moon is at the full, fairy fingers transform the obvious daytime effect into something subtly spiritual. On such a night "the cares of the day fold their tents like the Arabs."

How to Select Pictures For Your Home

MOST of us like pictures. That this liking is very real has been repeatedly brought to my attention thru questions asked me following art-appreciation talks.

Madonnas of the Garden How to Grow Them

A GROUP of pure white Madonna Lilies backed by the tall towers of the blue and purple delphiniums-- no garden picture is of greater beauty. Add a background of evergreens or a vine-covered arbor and the trumpets of the lilies will proclaim that you have planned well, for here they will receive some protection from strong winds and there will be less necessity for staking.

Make a Sampler of Your Home

WOULDN'T you like to know how to make a sampler of your home, something that would not only be a sentimental and decorative piece for your home so long as you yourself live, but would become a gift to posterity? Samplers cross-stitched neatly are fun to make and cross-stitching the design of one's own home is a needlework undertaking really worth while.

Good Spices Make Good Pickles

DID you ever feel like making .a big crusade about a little thing? Like mounting a soapbox and haranguing passers-by out of a common passivity concerning some small error of mankind.

Anne RUNS UP THE Red Flag

CAN parents take their job too seriously? Can they try too hard to give their children the right training, the right start in life?

Let the Architect Be Your Skipper

I'M SORRY, but I don't intend to bid on building your home," Chips, the old ship's carpenter, declared firmly.

The Question Before the House

OUR window and door trim was painted with enamel paint recently. I now notice that the wood is in ripples as if it were not perfect. Is the builder to blame?

The Rogue's Gallery

"ALL aboard for the rogue's gallery!" call the Pipes of Pan, which today sound like a siren.

Ours Was an Outmoded "Shirtwaist" Dwelling

WE HAD an old home but a wealth of new ideas. Our neighbors saw a dismal, outmoded "shirtwaist" dwelling, but in imagination we saw a cheerful Cape Cod cottage.

The Stories of More Prizewinning Better Homes!

Along the Garden Path

GARDEN GUESTS? "Yesterday there was Bud and Dot," you say. "Last week Mother, and every day Neighbor Paul chats over the rock garden."