November 1953

Why buy power brakes?

Like most available, power-driven, automotive accessories, power brakes aren't absolutely necessary for safe and satisfactory performance. On most cars they add $35 to $50 to the price tag. But they're mighty nice to have.

The margin of safety is increased by eliminating foot travel

Glass extends your welcome

Colds, flu, virus infections

Storm windows are up, the family has come indoors, and it's open season for ills blown up by old man winter. Respiratory infections, mysterious viruses, and many childhood diseases get in their worst licks during the raw and chilly months. Can we fend off these seasonal hazards by baking ourselves under sunlamps, gorging on vitamins, toughening-up with cold showers, or using other sworn-by defenses? A survey of medical opinion results in a mixed verdict: some measures are approved as useful, if not curative; others are mentioned only to be scoffed at.

Added room takes the pressure off

From attic eyesore... to eyecatcher

New wallpaper, fabric, a little paint, and a few odds and ends were all it took to change an unattractive attic room into this colorful charmer for a teen-age girl.

New foods

Chopped ham and raisin sauce is making its appearance in many markets. It comes canned in a pear-shaped container with the raisin sauce sealed in a separate sack inside the can. The 1-pound chopped-ham loaf may be baked whole, or sliced and pan-fried. You can use the sweet-sour raisin sauce as a elaze while it bakes: or heat sauce separately and serve as a tangy topping.

Have you heard the Latest Garden News?

Not all ants are undesirable, for some destroy termites, says Dr. Stanley E. Flanders, professor of biological control at the University of California.

Vandals--or just kids?

The family of returned vacationers gaped in disbelief at the scene before them. It was the living room of their home, littered, torn to pieces, some furnishings damaged irreparably! They had left it neat and in perfect condition just two weeks before.

Common stocks--what do you know about them?

It is actually possible to buy into some of the best business propositions in the nation by joining the millions of persons who own common stocks. These stockholders are the actual owners of the biggest businesses in the country, and they share in the profits as well as take part in the management. Some of these stockholders are large investors with many thousands of dollars invested in a variety of corporations representing many types of industry.

Plywood cabinet divides this room

New kitchens from old

Let's look at your kitchen as it stands. What does it offer? Unless it's a time- and stepsaver, you're being shortchanged in efficiency. If it lacks beauty, you are missing the enjoyment and satisfaction this room can give the whole family.

Here's individuality on a big scale

Indoor plants men go for

They built more than a house

"I gave up golf when I started on the house," says Verne Simril; "that was four years ago. I haven't gotten back to the game, but I haven't been hunting for exercise yet."

Inexpensive glamour

Lighting helps you decorate

YOU'RE HAPPIER on a sunny day. And scientists say a cheerfully lighted room gives the same emotional lift. Best for your spirits and also your eyes is fairly even lighting throughout a room with extra lamps at special work areas.

Four bedrooms in budget space

Like a professional athlete, Better Homes & Gardens Five Star Home No. 2311 makes a difficult game look easy. Strong line and bold use of colors have brought distinction to a familiar structure: the rectangular plan with simple gable roof. Stand ard materials have been used, and you'll find no fussy details In short, this is a cost-conscious house.

Comfort without clutter

Plan your home for solid comfort, and lots of it. But remember, it's not the number of things you have around you that makes a home comfortable-- it's the kind of furnishings you have and how you use them! A simply furnished room that's well planned can be 10 times as comfortable as one that's recklessly crammed full of meaningless pieces.

Fall garden roundup

"The 4th meal is the fun meal"

Next time you bake a cake, do me a favor. Don't produce it for dinner. Save it for a surprise. A "Where-did-that- come- from, aren't- you- wonderful!" sort of a surprise. Find out for yourself what fun it is to have a cake around the house come nine o'clock, when folks get hungry.

THE MAN NEXT DOOR

My grandfather boasted of bravery so great that he fought six Indians single-handedly, but I have outstripped him. I bought a sedan when my wife and daughters wanted a convertible.

Keep your floors dean and shining

When you need a doctor in a hurry--What will you do?

Night in the city. Inside a brightly lit office, a girl sits before a telephone switchboard. The board lights. She plugs in and answers:

Concrete-block walls used with distinction

Here is a lesson in house design. And it applies to you even if you're not planning to build a new home. Just one basic material-- concrete block in natural form-- is handled with unusual freedom and honesty. Yet, for all its simplicity and economy, this house has great warmth and distinction.

Small room? Here's how to Gain space with built-ins

Tips for party givers and -goers

How safe is your kitchen?

Personalize your Christmas gifts

A home for wayward toys

Personal help in home building, remodeling, and decorating

17 sharpening jobs made easy

Accent antiques with modern accessories

If your child is different

For a long time now you've been worried about Johnny. You lie awake nights grieving because he is not like other children. You blame yourself and wonder what you could have done differently, and you fret about how he is going to get along in a world of "normal" people.

You'd never guess it's a basement

Furniture arranged for 24-hour living

Give hospitality in a package

Desks for your home "office"

You can lay a floor of tile yourself

You'll never have more fun-- and you'll never be more amazed at the professional look of your handiwork-- than the day you put down a resilient-tile floor. In just a few hours, you can transform an entirely characterless old floor into an expanse of gleaming, colorful beauty.

How to ventilate with picture windows

"Do you believe in picture windows?" a sweet old lady asked me the other day. Were picture windows something you did or didn't believe in? As far as I could see, astrology or vegetarianism might require faith-- but picture windows?

Now's the time to . . .

Mound soil around base of your roses just before the ground freezes. Make mounds at least 8 inches tall. Spread compost over old annual flower beds and spade under. This will also be a good time to spade in superphosphate.

House plants

You can grow plants from all parts of the world-- if you choose those adapted to your home or give each the care it needs to adjust to climate of your rooms.

The diary of a Plain dirt gardener

Nov. 1 On this bright "summer" day no fire was made in the furnace. Maggie opened the doors and windows as she did her weekly, cleaning.

HOW-TO for the home gardener

Oregano

Oregano is an extra-favorite herb of many a top-notch chef. This leaf comes from afar-- Mexico, Italy, Greece, Chile, and France. You'll find it ground, and in whole-leaf form. Wonder how to pronounce it? Just say "or-regg'-ano."