September 1935

Across the Editor's Desk

A GREAT amount of publicity is being printed and many speeches are being made these days about housing. Elaborate surveys have been made which show a deplorable condition in many communities. There is a great lack of even the simplest sanitary equipment. More light, air, sanitation, and comfort are imperatively required to bring a reasonable degree of happiness to millions now inadequately housed.

THE Diary OF A PLAIN DIRT GARDENER

By 7 this morning I was out in the garden. Chester, a neighbor boy, who's been helping me catch up, was on hand. By noon we had finished cleaning up the whole back part of the garden; that is, he did, for this being Saturday, I had to go after groceries and so on. I took the weeds we hoed out of the iris and peonies and used them to mulch the broccoli and the dahlias.

IT'S News TO ME!

IT'S TRANSPLANTING time, lawn-making time-- and this year we have new incentive: "I'm after a medal!" says Nick. "Twelve lucky families will win a medal in the Individual Home Grounds Division of the More Beautiful America Contest [see May, 1935, Better Homes & Gardens, page 64]-- have their places pointed out for real planting achievement. Why not we? At least we can try.

HOME

MY FRIEND Colonel Charles Sweeney, of the French Foreign Legion, pointed to the bit of wall that was still standing and to the pile of brick and mortar that once had been a home. It was during the summer just past and we were tramping thru a tiny French village between the River Aisne and the Chemin des Dames-- a village that had been under shellfire for almost four years.

5 STEPS TO A Good Lawn for Next Year

ONE garden question asked more frequently than any other is: "What can I do to make my lawn succeed? How can I have that velvety smoothness, that emerald green, that fine texture which makes you feel like you were walking on a heavy rug?"

Yesterday's Furnishings Meet Today's and They Get Along Beautifully

WHEN you were little did you ever make a visit of state to your grandmother? Do you remember the parlors so crowded that you couldn't see your aunt for the furnishings and the golden oak dining-room with its cut glass dishes?

Five of a Kind

TO THE scientist the life story of Marie, Annette, Cecilie, Emilie, and Yvonne is a climax of technique. To the dietitian it is a document on nutrition. To the world in general it is an almost incredible chapter in the mysterious processional of the centuries. To every parent it means an indescribable vicarious thrill of love and devotion, for there is nothing in human experience more sweet and compelling than the blooming of tender, groping, helpless babies and their first cries asking, yearning, pleading for a place in our dazzling, turbulent world.

Electrified Living

WHEN a design for a home wins a first prize in competition with 10,000 entries by able competitors, it may be taken for granted that the designer has done an unusually interesting and distinctive job.

The Garden for the "New-American" Home

COMPARE the bathing suit of the Gay Nineties with the swim suit of today and you'll readily understand what Better Homes & Gardens has done in planning the garden for the "New-American" home on the preceding two pages. This is an age of simplification-- simple lines in gardens as well as in swim suits, furniture, and architecture.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO Build a New Home!

PREDICTIONS of increased homebuilding activity, irrespective of those made in previous years, are now backed up by statistical information.

THE MAN NEXT DOOR

Wives who once were vexed at reminiscences about the beauty of the mademoiselles of Paris now flare up when husbands remember how deliciously the French women cook their spinach .... What a difference the years make!

We Bring the Garden Indoors

THIS is the month of frost fires-- the time for the beginning gardener to learn how to bring the garden indoors.

Childhood Quarrels ARE PUPPY STUFF

BIRDS in their little nests agree, or so the story goes. Ornithology is one of the subjects I know little about, but if the facts are correct, then birdlings are the only young I've met who can lay claim to such a state of affairs.

Enemies IN THE PILE

TREAT your rugs with kindness and respect-- they'll repay you well for years to come. Proper cleaning is an important part of the care of rugs and carpets, but it's not all. Hotel housekeepers, for instance, know that old-fashioned rolling casters play havoc with rugs. Instead, furniture glides are used under the casters, or broad-based, smooth, bakelite glides are brought into the picture instead of any casters at all.

Thru the Day With Platter and Tray

MORNING, noon, or night, a meal on a platter is a boon to the homemaker and a rare treat for her family and guests.

Aprons Apropos

YOU don't like to wear aprons? We don't blame you if yours resemble some of the prosaic, unfitted slip-overs we've seen. But give an apron charm plus utility and we predict that the most frivolous fudge-maker will step right into the sensible things, that frocks will stand unsullied by the sink, housework be lightened and homemakers brightened.

Canning

"STEAMED cucumbers in January!" My guest's face was a study. I'm sure she thought I had either spirited the luscious things out of a tall silk hat for that especial luncheon last winter or that I was the most shameless of hothouse spendthrifts. The fact is I'm neither a Houdini nor an extravagant hostess-- just an enthusiastic home canner!

Snap a Prize

HERE'S your opportunity to have a little fun --perhaps win some money. You'll have the two-months term of the contest in which to do it-- September 1 to November 1, 1935! We offer $100 in cash prizes, in time to reach you for Christmas-shopping.

Co-operating With Better Homes & Gardens

Our Grandmothers Knew Best

PICKLING week in the old-time kitchen brought forth, through those warm and spicy aromas, such appetite-enticing morsels as can never be forgotten. So many of us who remember with a fleeting wave of homesickness those aroma-rich occasions, haven't tasted real old-fashioned homemade pickle since.

Dutch Bulbs You'll Want to Plant

"My Baby Won't Eat"

A Visit to the Youngs

She's Writing You a Letter

Grow Your Own Grapes

MY FATHER was a most ardent amateur gardener. On the acre of land we called home he grew all the fruits and vegetables we could consume. Our basement in the winter was a veritable commission merchant's warehouse.

The "Mums" to See This Fall

Nails

Color Plans for Your Home

AMONG

The snapshots [below] show "before" and "after" views of a city halt-block on a prominent corner of two paved streets, across from our County Hospital, in Paris, Texas.

Let's Peep Behind the Scenes of Life Insurance Selling

RECENTLY, a life insurance company held a sales meeting for salesmen of a certain area. Subjects of discussion: Stability and responsibility of the company; values of its policies to policy holders; how to sell more policies.

ALONG THE GARDEN PATH

SIT with me on this cool porch and look down the September garden path. The trees will soon drop their leaves-- copper; molten gold, and flame. The tinge of Jack Frost will soon touch the flowers. The home view will change-- will it still hold our interest?