November 1962

Should gardeners stop dusting and spraying?

Right now, in some circles, there is quite an uproar over the use of chemical insecticides and weed killers. We refer, of course, to the recent New Yorker magazine series (and book), "The Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson.

IDEAS IN ACTION

Turn that vacant hallway into long-distance comfort. This phoning center in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Freed is part of a bookshelf unit (it shows slightly at left).

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE

It's NEWS to me!

Stainless steel broiler and rotisserie make "open hearth" cooking popular again. The few parts that have to be cleaned can be completely immersed in water. Broiling surface measures 10 by 15 in.; two-level rack gives a choice of temperatures. ...

THE NEW FASHION IN DECORATING: BE YOURSELF!

Today's decorating lets you throw out the rules, lets you go beyond the sameness of a single style or period. There's a new freedom to live as you like to live, with the things you enjoy. On the next 12 pages, we show you some ways expressive people have decorated their homes-- homes which are as individual as fingerprints and snowflakes, but which all have the seal of beauty and unity so necessary in good decorating.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR FIREPLACE?

UNICOM: A BOLD NEW IDEA TO CUT THE COST OF HOUSES!

The exploded diagram below shows how the Unicom system of co-ordinated dimensions simplifies the framing of a house. Standardization of a few basic dimensions permits all parts to fit with no cutting on the job, and virtually no loss of design flexibility. The system accommodates all conventional products used in houses today, but the sharp reduction in the number of product sizes required means major savings from manufacturer to you.

THE CLASSIC KITCHEN

Here is a timeless kitchen filled with surprises wherever you look, from the beams and archways, to the brilliant colors, to the graceful furnishings. The style is French, but it's the individual touches that make this kitchen a success. It was designed by the Editors of Better Homes and Gardens to whet your appetite with ideas that can be adapted to your kitchen, whether building or remodeling.

NOW! ANYONE CAN GROW ORCHIDS

Success with orchids no longer depends upon special equipment and complicated know-how. Thousands of gardeners have proved it by flowering them in sunny windows of their homes. Plants are reasonably priced now, too. Start modestly with a plant or two of hybrid cattleyas (florist's orchid), and if you choose bloomingsize plants, you'll have flowers while you learn to care for your plants.

MOSAICS

There's no special secret to mastering Mosaics, one of the most rewarding and popular crafts. Here we give you 15 fresh designs to inspire you toward a design of your own. Start with a small project. Then large pieces will become easier to do.

APPLIANCES THAT DO MORE THAN ONE JOB

WHAT THIS COUNTRY NEEDS IS MORE GOOD SMALL HOUSES

Small houses as good as this one aren't easy to find. It takes real know-how to create a home that will work hard for every member of the family. But if you start with a good design like this, you've got half the battle won. Best of all, you don't need a budget as big as the job your house is built to do.

YOUR CHILD CAN'T LEARN IF HE CAN'T READ

Responsibility for teaching the child to read does not rest with parents. This is a job for specialists. But parents can supplement what is done in the classroom and give their children the help and encouragement that might make the difference between a good reader and a poor one. Just keep these principles in mind:

ACTION IN EDUCATION: A SALUTE FROM BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS

This is the story of a sure thing, a gamble that always pays off. It is the story of public-spirited citizens who bet on education and win. Its theme is progress. Its title: Action in Education.

GIFT SHOPPING BY MAIL

Everyone likes to help Santa lighten his load at Christmastime. We're happy he called on us, for it gives us an opportunity to show you how convenient it is to shop from your favorite easy chair.

The man next door

We never get as far from working with our hands as some of us like to think. When the wood smoke turns blue against the chilly autumn sky and the last few leaves rattle against the house, it's time to put away the garden spade and rummage out the snow shovel. And young Burt will polish the runners of his sled and hope for the worst.