July, 1909 
2S 
— 
aN HO) Homes and Gardens 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS xi 
for August 
Mr. George Crocker’s Estate at Rumsey, New Jersey 
The magnificent estate of Mr. George Crocker at Rum- 
sey, N. J., forms the theme of Barr Ferree’s article in 
his series of ‘‘Notable American Homes.” ‘This property 
ranks easily among the most splendid private estates of 
America, and is adequately described and sumptuously 
illustrated. A fine property in every way, it illustrates 
some of the most interesting phases of the best develop- 
ments of house architecture in this country. 
Children’s Playhouses 
Mary H. Northend contributes an unusual article on 
small playhouses built for children. These are real 
houses, built in the type of individual dwellings and hav- 
ing all the external character of mimic homes. Interest- 
ing in themselves, they also furnish some suggestions for 
children of larger growth who are looking for small and 
economical houses for their own use. ‘The illustrations 
include photographs and plans, and are complete in 
every way. 
Grape Culture in France 
The supremacy of the French in the culture of the grape 
is well known, but the actual methods pursued and the 
real results obtained are not so familiar. In this paper 
Jacques Boyer describes in detail the methods in vogue 
in one of the best-known vine centers in France. His 
paper is charmingly illustrated. 
A Group of Modern Houses 
Francis Durando Nichols has gathered a collection of 
nine interesting houses of comparatively small cost in this 
paper, and presents them in a thoroughly complete and 
interesting manner. The illustrations include exteriors, 
interiors, bits of details, and complete floor plans. The 
text is amply descriptive, and the paper fairly bristles 
with helpful suggestions and ideas. 
Longfellow’s “The Wayside Inn.” 
Few buildings in America can boast of two hundred and 
twenty-three years of continuous history as can the Red 
Horse Tavern of Sudbury, immortalized by Longfellow 
as ‘“The Wayside Inn.” Esther Singleton sketches the 
life history of this remarkable hostelry, and her paper is 
accompanied with a group of unique photographs of rare 
interest and beauty. Here is a fine old-time building 
still in use, and if not as good to-day as the day when 
built, certainly vastly more interesting and picturesque. 
The Rochester Competition 
The competition recently concluded by the Chamber of 
Commerce of Rochester for workingmen’s homes is ade- 
quately treated with many plans and drawings. ‘This 
competition has attracted wide attention, and has resulted 
in the evolution of a house of exceedingly moderate cost 
that is bound to become highly popular. 
A Long Island Summer Home 
‘“‘Annesden,” at Bridgehampton, Long Island, is a charm- 
ing summer home, quite characteristic of the famous 
region in which it is built. What it looks like, how it is 
planned, and what comforts its interior presents to its 
occupants are summarized in an interesting article on this 
fine country home. 
Nature as Designer 
Decorative designs obtained direct from Nature are mat- 
ters of general interest. S. Leonard Bastin tells how 
ferns and various wild plants offer valuable material for 
decorative designs. His article is illustrated with numer- 
ous novel photographs direct from Nature. 
A Connecticut House 
The fine house of James W. Wheeler at New Haven is 
described by Charles Chauncey. The illustrations show 
it to be a home of immense attractiveness, while the plans 
show an economical and wise arrangement. 
The Departments 
The departments of the number are unusually strong and 
timely. We commend the “Monthly Comment,” the 
“Garden Notes,” and “Problems in Home Furnishing” 
to our widely extending circle of readers. 
