March 1976

A PARENT'S GUIDE TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN EDUCATION

Once upon a time all school classrooms looked alike. Students sat at desks arranged in straight rows while the teacher stood before a blackboard and talked. Visit a school today, however, and you may scarcely recognize the place. Modern education often goes on in an array of atmospheres ranging from the very formal to the highly informal-- and often under the same roof.

Homeowners and the law: your rights and obligations

Castle or cottage, your home probably is your most precious possession, your haven from the world to do with as you wish. There are plenty of time-honored traditions and laws to back up those rights. But the same rights apply to your neighbors, too-- and that places obligations on you. Your best protection is to learn the basic rules. Generally, your common sense will protect most of your rights. There's no need to gear up for a major battle whenever there is friction; usually a compromise can be worked out.

Around-the-house guide to energy saving

If your power bill keeps going up, just like every other bill you're receiving lately, perhaps you need a refresher course on how to save kilowatts. Once you find the correlation between your family activities and electrical usage, you can begin to save on energy-- which means money.

GARDENING IN MARCH

March weather may be half lion, half lamb, but every gardener knows how to work around a few obstacles. Regardless of the weather, you can finalize your lists of the roses, shrubs, and trees you want to set in and place your orders.

Storing staples

When you spot a staple item on sale in the grocery store, your first impulse probably is to snap up the bargain. But bear in mind that the item is only a bargain if your family likes it, if you can spare enough space to store it properly, and if you can use it within its storage time limitations. ...

SNAP, CRACKLE, POP

Static is a wintertime peeve that plagues us all. No woman enjoys a clinging knit skirt that insists on curling around her body, sticking to her slip, and crackling every time she stands up or sits down. And what man likes to endure slacks that stick to knee-high stockings?

FIT-TOGETHER FURNITURE

If your idea of fit-together furniture is fiberboard and faulty construction, or kits that come with missing pieces, you're in for a big surprise. Today's breed of easy-to-assemble and kit furniture offers a variety of beautiful benefits, and on these six pages we'll show you exactly what they are.

GOOD NEWS

Clean your carpets right down to the backing with this portable hot water injection carpet cleaning system. (Sometimes this system is called steam cleaning. Actually, the water is maintained at about 180 degrees-- hot enough to do a thorough job but without the hazard of a tank of steam under pressure.)

Rabies: Is it still a threat?

Man has long dreaded rabies, and with good reason. The disease is contracted from the bite of a seemingly insane animal and leads to a grotesquely painful death. While there still is a very real threat of rabies from wild animals, the incidence of the disease in pets can be completely eliminated-- if their owners will just obey rabies vaccination laws and keep those shots up to date.

Pilotless ignition

A few years ago, none of us could visualize a gas range that provided automatic ignition of burners without using a pilot light --right? Well, leave it to American ingenuity. Today, two manufacturers-- Caloric and Tappan --produce pilotless ignition gas ranges for the kitchen.

HOW TO GET THE BEST USED CAR FOR THE MONEY

That used car you may be considering can be a tremendous value-- if you shop wisely. Sure, there's a reason a car is for sale, but that doesn't necessarily mean there's something wrong with it. Perhaps minor problems were just an excuse for the previous owner to get a newer model. You'll probably get a good buy if you ask the car's owner or car lot salesperson objective questions only, then follow up with your own careful inspection and test drive.

A NEW-FASHION RAG RUG everything you need to know to make it

Learn one easy stitch and several simple techniques, and you'll be able to turn out a smashing rag rug to rival anything that Grandmother used to make. What you'll need in the way of materials is a well-stocked ragbag to pick from. And, yes, all the how-to it takes to finish your rug, you'll find right here.

PLANNING A FAMILY ROOM ADDITION

It's not surprising that many families head their "most-wanted remodeling" list with a family room addition. It can turn a cramped house into a truly comfortable one, provided you plan things right. To help you do just that, we've provided a classic example that can be adapted to your needs. Start your planning by deciding what you want your new family room to do for you.

PLANNING A BEDROOM ADDITION

Another bedroom, whether it's a private haven for the parents, a small room for one of the kids, or a dorm-type room for a couple of them, can often mean the difference between staying put or moving to a new neighborhood. And if your family doesn't need another bath, a bedroom addition is usually quite simple; even if a bath is a a must, it doesn't pose all that much of a problem, and your investment is readily recoverable should you ever decide to move.

GO-IT-ALONE OR ASK-A-PRO

Since Judith and Bob Bell wanted to avoid major remodeling costs, totally gutting the kitchen was out. Also, the 11½-foot-square kitchen had a lot going for it, so they decided to confine the spruce-up to paint, paper, and better organization. These needs could be met with skills they had, so Judy and Bob decided to do most of the work themselves.

Great American Roses you'll be proud to grow

We salute the American roses, the varieties bred in this country that have won a place on the international lists of classics. Some-- Mr. Lincoln and Oklahoma, for example-- bear names that ring with the sounds of this land. Three others-- Queen Elizabeth, Montezuma, and Spartan-- suggest the varied ties and origins that enrich America itself. To this collection of fine roses, we now add the Better Homes and Gardens Bicentennial rose-- a 1976 beauty.

HOW TO LAUNDER BABY CLOTHES

Every first-time mother has a jillion questions, many of which concern how to care for baby garments. Here are some answers to often-asked questions.

The Old South

To truly appreciate the special appeal of the Old South you'll need a discerning eye and a responsive heart. The region is a lush land of timeless subtleties, changing moods, and enormous variety. First, it is blessed with an abundance of unique and marvelous gifts of nature for you to savor. Stunning, often empty beaches along the Atlantic sparkle in the strong sun, and golden islands are crowned by huge ancient live oaks dripping with Spanish moss.

How to save water--and money

If you find it hard to turn on to a subject like saving water, perhaps the dollar savings will whet your interest!

Step-by-step project scrapbook

TIPS TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

How to order material from the magazine

Better Homes and Gardens Bicentennial Rose-- Developed exclusively for Better Homes and Gardens readers, this hybrid tea rose is perfect for your garden. It's a very unusual rose, the result of cross-breeding Tropicana with a Peace rose. The petals are bicolored-- rose and soft yellow. The stems are medium tall and heavily branched, and the foliage is dark, glossy green. The rose is free flowering all summer. Quantities are limited, so order today. Your order will be shipped at the proper time for planting in your locality.

Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence. If not delighted, each company will happily refund your money.

The Man Next Door

Dr. Bob Hannelly admits that babies don't really need that traditional slap on the rear when they're born, but he suggests that it does give them some forewarning of what the rest of their lives may be like.