September 1976

SCHOOL DISCIPLINE WHAT CAN A PARENT DO?

According to the old song, yesterday's schools didn't have discipline problems. Reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic were taught to the tune of the hickory stick, and students who didn't shape up were speedily shipped out.

HOW DO OTHER FAMILIES GET ALONG FINANCIALLY?

Throughout almost 19 years of married life, the Brandts have made major purchases and managed their cash flow sensibly and soundly. Dick credits a lot of their know-how to the fact that after they were married they lived on their own, 2,500 miles away from their families.

Breathe easier, pet owners!

Fast furniture finish

Camping? Take along a couple of rugged coolers

There's no need to despair over an upholster tear

CERAMIC TILE INSIDE CORNER STRIPS

What, do my own plumbing?

New car options: Which ones make the most sense?

It wasn't that long ago that a heater was an extra-cost option on a new car. Same with windshield washers and turn signals. Today, all those and more are part of a car's original equipment, and we take them so much for granted that the basic model still seems Spartan to our tastes.

BUYING A NEW CAR? HERE'S HOW TO GET THE BEST DEAL

If you've been bitten by the new car bug, you've probably also been stung by new car prices. And when you add transportation and dealer preparation costs, state and local taxes, and license fees to the advertised price, you get an even more staggering "sticker price."

How to order material from the magazine

Free! New Better Homes and Gardens Crafts Catalog. The most exciting collection of craft kits is in the latest-- and biggest-- Better Homes and Gardens Crafts Catalog: 32 pages in full color! Choose from over 40 new kits, dozens of all-time favorites, plus Better Homes and Gardens exclusives.

GARDENING IN SEPTEMBER

As the season switches to fall, the days get nice and crisp-- perfect for gardening. Make use of every free hour: start cleanup jobs, divide old perennials or plant new ones, take care of routine feeding and watering, or launch a garden project just for the fun of it.

A GREAT ONE-WALL KITCHEN THAT GIVES THE WHOLE HOUSE PERSONALITY

Come on in! You're invited to take a tour of a very special house, a house centered around a kitchen. Leave your cares at the door and wear less-than-best, comfortable clothes --a relaxed atmosphere is what Carol and Stewart Barnes had in mind when they remodeled this old boathouse.

THE DORAER YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOU COULD BUILD

Build your own dormer? Before pooh-poohing the idea as an impossible dream, take a look at the inviting dormer pictured here. The homeowners who built it were anything but pros, but they collected sketches and asked questions until they felt confident enough to forge ahead.

TIPS TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

A REGULAR FEATURE DESIGNED TO MAKE AROUND-THE-HOUSE JOBS EASIER FOR YOU

Picking and packing a backpack

Backpacking can be strenuous exercise, but it shouldn't be back-breaking work. A well-designed backpack and frame takes the load off your back and shoulders and places most of the weight on your pelvic girdle so your legs carry most of the weight.

Step-by-step project scrapbook

Lazy Susan storage towers

HOW TO FEED YOUR DOG WELL FOR LESS

Myths about dog feeding are as numerous as shaggy dog stories. "Feed him leftovers," you'll be advised. "What's good for the family will be good for him. And he'll love 'em." Or maybe, "Buy only the best dog food.

AN AFFORDABLE HOUSE YOU CAN CHANGE AND REARRANGE

When your family's size and life-style change, does that mean you have to face the expense and trauma of moving? Not with this house. By rearranging the interior, you can get the spaces you need for your growing family.

A guide to planning & planting a small start-from-scratch garden

Once you're hooked on gardening, you enjoy all phases of it-- even the digging. But before you lift a finger, you'll need a master plan. Then you can fit flower borders into your overall design-- and that's where the fun comes in. With pencil and eraser in hand, move plants about on the plan until you arrive at the arrangement that pleases you most. Your goal is to have your annuals, perennials, bulbs, and shrubs create an undulating mixture of colors and textures that will last from spring to frost. To help you achieve that objective, we've designed a guideline garden.

CANNING DO'S & DON'TS

Canning food, once thought of as Grandma's specialty, is becoming more popular each year. Why? Because it's economical-- and fun to boot. You get a special glow when you view a row of jars filled with food that you "put up."

BARBECUE BRUSHUP

Whether you're a novice or a pro at the grill, you're sure to pick up some helpful pointers from this review of barbecue how-to.

America Rediscovered, Part 5

What epitomizes New England? Some people say it's the pristine little towns with their tidy colonial houses in muted tones of green, gray, blue, red, and gold. Others think it's the sand dunes dropping down to pale beaches, or the craggy rocky shores that fend off the surging Atlantic. Or the forested mountains that burst into a frenzy of color with autumn's arrival. Or the hilly countryside where covered bridges span sparkling streams and farms nestle comfortably, their property lines defined by gravity-defying stone walls, built without mortar, that roll with the landscape.

HOW TO SPRAY-PAINT LIKE A PRO

The pros wouldn't think of refinishing radiators, ... shutters, or wicker furniture with a paintbrush-- and neither should you. These are spray-painting projects, and you can obtain all the equipment you'll need from most rental agencies and many larger paint stores.

END-OF-SEASON ... CARE

September is one of the ... pleasant garden months the year. Your flower ... should be at their ... of beauty, and the heat summer is on the wane. ... the time to sit back and ... the rewards of your ... work.

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

It's no surprise to the neighborhood that Chuck Hanson won an award this summer as a labor arbitrator. We knew it would be a breeze for Chuck, since he is everyone's favorite Little League umpire.