April, 1909 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS vii 
An Artist's Home in the Berkshire Hills 
The region of the Berkshire Hills is so superlatively beautiful that 
it seems precisely the place for an artist’s retreat. Mr. Thomas 
Shields Clarke, the well-known painter-sculptor of New York, 
has long thought so, and has given abundant testimony of his 
affection for this lovely region in the handsome house he has built 
there. His home, “Fernbrook,’ is one of the most interesting 
places at Lenox, and is admirably described by Mr. Barr Ferree 
in his series of papers on “Homes of American Artists.” “The 
article not only describes the house and grounds in detail, but it is 
sumptuously illustrated with numerous photographs taken ex- 
pressly for this magazine, and never before published. The house 
is a fine type of the best domestic work of Mr. Wilson Eyre, 
and the grounds, designed and planted by Mr. Clarke himself, 
abound in matters of interest. 
Domestic Ventilation 
Mr. Thaleon Blake, C.E., has prepared a thoughtful and sug- 
gestive paper for this issue dealing with this most important ot 
domestic themes. It is full of practical suggestion and advice, 
and tells many things the housekeeper most needs to know. The 
article has been written expressly for the housekeeper, and is devoid 
of technicalities. It is abundantly illustrated with numerous plans 
and diagrams. 
An Old House Reproduced 
A page of interesting photographs illustrate a singularly successful 
attempt to reproduce a ‘design of the seventeenth century in a 
modern house. The pictures show how thoroughly adaptable this 
quiet old farmhouse-like dwelling is to modern needs. It is a 
simple and quiet little house, immensely suggestive, and shows 
what really good work can be accomplished by adhering to good 
old models. As a study in brickwork, too, this house has some 
useful suggestions. 
Flower Boxes 
The flower box has come into such general use as an aid to the 
exterior decoration of the house that there is now ample material 
for a study of its uses and the way in which it may be employed. 
Miss F. Maude Smith contributes a helpful article on this subject 
entitled “Flower Box Beauty,” and offers many practical sugges- 
tions on the care and maintenance of the outdoor flower box. Her 
article is handsomely illustrated with a choice assortment of ex- 
amples that offer many valuable suggestions to the flower lover. 
The Porch Sitting-Room 
The modern house porch is no longer used only as a means of 
getting into a house or away from it, but has become quite as 
much a “room” as any interior apartment. ‘The porch sitting- 
room and the porch dining-room are now well established features 
of most country houses, and are an integral part of the small house 
quite as much as of the more pretentious mansion. A double page 
of illustrations, crowded with interesting examples of these rooms 
from many different houses, abounds in suggestions of the most 
practical kind. Mr. Ralph de Martin contributes the article, and 
has something of importance to say on this subject. 
Monthly Comment 
The reader who misses this editorial page fails to get the full value 
of the magazine. Topics pertaining to country life are discussed 
with a keenness and freedom that is unequaled in contemporary 
journalism. It is good, strong advice that is given here, and every 
country resident will find something of interest and value in its 
trenchant paragraphs. 
Sabine Hall 
There is poetry and romance in the historic houses of old Virginia, 
and one of the most interesting of these fine old places is described 
by Miss Edith Dabney Tunis in her descriptions of Historic 
Mansions on the Rappahannock River. The illustrations not only 
completely show the house within and without, but include some 
of the rare old portraits and other objects of historic interest. 
Watercress Culture in France 
Watercress culture on a large scale is not generally understood. 
Mr. Jacques Boyer tells how it is done in France and writes an 
interesting description of the process. ‘The article is richly illus- 
trated and shows every step of the work from the beginning until 
it is prepared and bunched for market. 
A Modern New Jersey Home 
A rew house at Hackensack, N. J., is described by Mr. Paul 
Thurston, and is illustrated with views and plans. It is a happily 
conceived, modest little home of real decorative value. The article 
gives a complete description of it, and the photographs show ex- 
actly what it is. 
Ants and Bees as Pets 
Bees and ants may seem a bit odd as pets, but Mr. Percy Collins, 
who writes entertainly on this subject, makes their real interest 
very clear and evident. Every lover of animals and every keen 
sympathizer with nature will find a special pleasure in this article. 
It is illustrated with new and original photographs showing how 
these strange pets may be cared for and enjoyed. 
Penllyn House 
This is a picturesque residence at Ardsley-on-Hudson which is ably 
described by Mr. Francis Durando Nichols, and is beautifully 
illustrated with numerous photographs of the exterior and interior. 
The floor plans are also given, so that the house is presented in its 
entirety. It is a house of engaging charm, and exhibits many 
special points of interest. 
Creating a Small Country Home 
No contemporary writer on the country home has saner words of 
help and criticism to offer than Mr. E. P. Powell. He not only 
knows his subject, but is personally familiar with every aspect of 
it. In the present paper he discusses the general lay-out of the 
small country place, tells what to plant in the way of trees and 
shrubbery, and where to plant it. It is a practical, helpful article 
of the most valuable kind. It is illustrated with plans and dia- 
grams showing just how to make the best use of a small lot. 
Home Garden Work 
The notes contributed monthly to the magazine by Mr. Charles 
Downing Lay are full of practical help and suggestion, and are 
prepared for,the special need of the amateur and individual house 
owner, who wants his grounds maintained in good order but who 
must, in many instances, depend on his own exertion for what he 
accomplishes. “There is help here for everyone, and help of the 
right sort. 
Correspondence 
Problems in home furnishing are discussed monthly by Miss Alice 
Kellogg, than whom there is no more competent authority. Tell 
her how you are troubled and she will help you. And, when you 
think of it, tell her of your practical experiences that she may pass 
them on to others. 
