March 1960

What are gifted children really like? What do they turn out to be?

These answers are full of surprises. More important, they're full of hope. The facts should encourage every parent to develop his child's brain power to the maximum, whatever his 1Q. Here they are:

THE SMART WAY TO SELL A HOUSE

In the average year, two million families sell a house to get a new one. Most of these sellers start badly-- they throw away time and dollars that could have been put to a better next house. What always should be a satisfying step upward becomes, instead, a stumbling and drawn-out business. This doesn't need to happen to you-- and won't-- if you follow these five simple strategies:

Perennials for color--year after year

This house plan really works

THIS month's Five Star home is almost a pavilion. Norman Cherner, an industrial designer in South Norwalk, Connecticut, planned it for enjoyment of the summer landscape and New England snows.

SOUTHERN ARIZONA

A Midwestern insurance agent whose fondness for Arizona sends him back again as a visitor each year once passed on to me his two rules of thumb for assuring a pleasant vacation there. The first is this: When you sit down to plan an itinerary, take your Arizona road map in one hand, a sharp pair of scissors in the other, and cut the state horizontally in half; then throw the top part away. The second: Go during the wintertime.

That extra touch Figurines with flowers!

ROOSTERS CROW, birds fly, small woodland scenes anticipate spring-- when you create a little world of greens and flowers for your figurines to live in. Most everyone possesses at least one, whether it's the cherished offering of a child, the memento of a visit, or a valued heirloom.

A new view of WINDOWS

"WHY," asks Man, "do women hang stuff around it? A window is for looking out and for letting in air." "Because," replies the Woman, "the stuff is pretty! Besides, we can shut out gossips, glare, and cold winter winds by closing the curtains."

PERSONALITY--This home has it!

"It's the total effect of a room that's important, not the price you pay for the individual pieces." That's the thinking of Bill and Mary Reynolds.

Here's planned kitchen storage

GARLIC--robust or subtle

Some folks like plenty of garlic flavor; others want just a whiff. Either way, this powerful little herb enhances food, makes a dish extra special.

When a family needs more room

Babyhood to independence

After Baby has learned to walk, his sense of independence and of self-confidence will become more and more marked. This is good, even if wearing on you. It's a sign that your youngster is growing up emotionally as well as physically.

Odd jobs for dishpans

New storage for our old kitchen

First visit to the dentist

Dead-end wall comes to life

Dear Son: If you must drink ...

For the past hour or so, left alone here in my den, I've been thinking of the talk we had in which you said that most of your friends had been smoking since they were 14 and that some might begin at least token drinking any time now.

Get personal help at a Home Planning Center in planning, decorating and furnishing YOUR home

Look for this Better Homes & Gardens "Home Planning Center" seal when you're looking for ideas to help make your home more comfortable and attractive. It identifies leading stores which feature personal counsel on home planning, decorating, and furnishings.

For the young homemaker--Make quick work of patches

HYPERTENSION Comes off the panic list

For the first time in medical history there is really encouraging news to report to the 20 million Americans who suffer from hypertension, more familiarly known as high blood pressure. The good news comes not in the form of any spectacular breakthrough, but in an accumulation of discoveries which offer most hypertensives a virtually normal existence.

Can YOUR TOWN top this?

As 1959 ended, the same stories that have marked our human failures again and again were repeated-- the increase in juvenile crime, the problems of the forgotten aged, the racial conflict in schools and housing. But near Los Angeles, in the town of El Monte, California, sociologists looked in disbelief at another picture.

Break your dog's bad habits

TRAINING your dog has both a positive and a negative side. Naturally you want to teach him to carry out commands-- but you also must prevent and, if necessary, cure his bad habits.

Easy picture framing

The diary of a Plain dirt gardener

Mar. 1. When I looked out at dawning, all was covered with white. Two inches of snow on the ground.

Trees in a cluster!

Plan for your bedroom comfort

MARCH GARDEN REMINDERS

Weed killers: Buy the weed chemicals you'll need for spring. Specific kinds are available for use on lawns, fruit and vegetable areas, and graveled driveways. Follow the directions on labels carefully.

HOW TO PLANT AND USE Hardy perennials

The trouble with termites

The trouble with termites is they can eat you out of house and home --and you won't know it until the damage is complete. These house wreckers travel in swarms. Being social insects, like bees and ants, they go at their chomping attack with the determination and system of a Marine division.

House plants from your shopping bag

THE MAN NEXT DOOR

The post office should not allow seed catalogs to be mailed until April at least. Arriving here in January and February, they are as distracting as travel folders showing beauties on a sunny Florida beach. Well, almost.