November, 1909 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
XV 
or for the lack of that convenient arrange- 
ment, to plant them in small patches in the | 
perennial border. In either case they may be 
preceded by tulips or hyacinths, or may be 
grown with English or Spanish iris. 
Thus, a bed of early tulips can be planted 
after the tulips have flowered, with marigolds; 
a bed of late tulips may be planted with 
asters, or the tulip-bed may be sown in the 
autumn with the seeds of annual poppies, 
which will bloom soon after the tulips. When 
the poppies are past, it will not be too late to 
transplant almost any of the annuals. 
Such small beds imply a formal arrange- 
ment, which is not always desirable or pos- 
sible. 
If the garden is all large beds, the difh- 
culty must be met in another way. ‘Thus, a 
half dozen peonies might form a crescent 
about a small patch of centaurea. “The lark- 
spur might partly surround a square yard or 
so of pot marigold, and with the larkspur you 
can plant the white madonna lilies. 
Baby’s breath, Gyfsophila, will be a good 
foil for the brilliant colors of verbena or 
zinnia, and planted back of the hollyhocks 
there might be rudbeckia or helianthus, just as 
marshmallow might be behind the peonies. 
Iris can be in large clumps, mixed with the 
perennials or with hemerocallis, or with some 
of the lower annuals. 
Chrysanthemums and Japanese anemone, 
which are very late, could share their bed with 
Oriental poppies. 
Lilies and other bulbous plants can be 
mixed through the perennials almost any- 
where, so long as they are planted with lower 
things. 
A garden arranged in this way should never 
be without flowers from earliest spring to late 
autumn, and it should always look reasonably 
full of flowers. It requires much more intelli- 
gence on the part of the gardener, however, 
because everything has got to be done at ex- 
actly the proper time and it will not do to 
forget where the bulbs are planted. Although 
the cultivation of a garden so crowded with 
plants, some of which are never seen above 
ground except when in flower, may seem more 
difficult, it should not be so, because there is 
actually little room for weeds to grow. 
I trust this will answer E. B.’s rather in- 
definite question. Any more detailed questions 
I should be glad to answer more in particu- 
lar. 
Problems in Home Furnishing 
(Continued from page xiit) 
fulness will probably never be discontinued. 
It comes in a variety of shades and in several 
grades and prices. Another wall fabric that 
is adapted for this correspondent’s need, but 
of which she may not have heard, is called 
crash, or buckram. In fact, there are two 
materials almost exactly alike. These are 
considered unfadeable in the sun, and they 
have a texture effect, while they are smooth 
enough not to attract particles of dust. The 
warm, light-brown tones are excellent for a 
hall, either with natural or weathered oak 
woodwork. 
PILLOWS FOR A DIVAN 
The number, size and material and colors 
of sofa-pillows have been asked for by a 
reader in Western New York. 
As the “cozy corner” idea has lost favor, 
there has been a more restrained use of pillows 
for a lounge or divan. In an ordinary living- 
room the usual allowance now is three, while 
in a parlor or reception-room none are used. 
Again, in a den or boudoir, one may enjoy a 
heap of down-filled pillows. The location 
must decide the correct number of pillows. 
As to the colors, it is always in good taste to 
have two pillows match the covering of the 
BUILDING 
Construction 
AND 
Superintendence 
By F. E. KIDDER, C.E., Ph.D. 
Author of “The Architects’ Builders’ Pocketbook” 
Revised and Enlarged by 
THOMAS NOLAN, M.S., A.M. 
In Three Volumes, 7% x 9% inches. 
Part I. Masons’ Work 
Ninth Edition, Revised. 965 Pages, 
628 Illustrations. Price, $6.00, Post- 
paid. 
Part II. Carpenters’ Work 
Seventh Edition. 544 Pages, 525 
Illustrations. Price, $4.00, Postpaid. 
Part III., Section I. 
Trussed Roofs and Roof 
Trusses 
Second Edition. 299 Pages, 307 
Illustrations. Price, $3.00, Postpaid. 
Sold Separately 
MUNN ¢& COMPANY, Inc. 
351 BROADWAY NEW YORK 
¥FUST PUBLISHED 
AMERICAN 
RENAISSANCE 
TA Vieview of Domestic Architecture 
By Soy Wheeler Dow, Architect P 
ILLUSTRATED by NINETY-SIX HALF-TONE PLATES 
EASTOVER (Miniature). THE GARDEN FRONT 
From *‘American Renaissance’? 
This book is a carefully prepared history 
of American Domestic Architecture from 
Colonial days, illustrated in the most elab- 
orate manner and worthy a place in every 
architectural library, and should be read by 
every one who desires to familiarize him- 
self with Colonial architecture and its effect 
on the architecture of to-day. 
CONTENTS.—Chapter I., Ethics; II., Art 
and Commercialism; III., The Ancient 
Regime—Andrew Jackson; IV., Humble 
Beginnings of a National School; V., The 
Grand Epoch; VI., Early Nineteenth Cen- 
tury Work; VII., The Transitional 
Period; VIII., Reign of Terror—Its Neg- 
ative Value; IX., Fashion in Architec- 
ture; X., Adaptation; XI., Concerning 
Style; XII., Conclusion. 
HANDSOMELY BOUND IN CLOTH, GILT TOP 
Price, $4.00 net 
' MUNN & CO., INC., NEW YORK 
divan, with a third showing a contrast in 
color and design. A pillow twenty-two inches 
square is a comfortable size, but with a wide 
divan twenty-four or twenty-six may be 
adopted. Cords and tassels, or any decorative 
finish to the seams is not in vogue now, but 
the seam is turned a quarter of an inch and 
stitched on the outside. 
Garden Notes 
PLANTS IN THE HOUSE 
HERE is nothing hardier indoors than 
the rubber plant! It will endure dark- 
ness, gas-tainted air, an atmosphere so dry 
that the furniture cracks, and dust, and still 
put forth leaves that might as well be cast- 
iron, they are so stiff and unlovely. But 
where the conditions can be made a little 
better than the requirements for a _ rubber 
plant, there are other things which will give 
more pleasure, though they may need a little 
more care. 
A dry atmosphere is the hardest thing for 
plants to stand, and in a steam-heated house 
little can be done to ameliorate that. A fur- 
nace is better, though still difficult. Heavy 
window-curtains, shutting out the light from 
rooms, is another thing against the successful 
growth of plants in the house. 
The following plants, which we may call 
house-plants, to distinguish them from win- 
dow-plants which must have direct sunlight, 
will exist, and perhaps do a little more, away 
from a window. They are not flowering 
| plants, but are valued only because of their 
foliage. 
Aucuba Japonica is a shrub resembling the 
rhododendron, but with lighter green shining 
leaves thickly spotted with yellow. It is often 
seen three to four feet high, and is the best 
broad-leaved evergreen for indoor use. 
Cycas revoluta, sago palm, is well-known 
and useful in the house, but needs a greenhouse 
to keep it always in good condition. 
The Norfolk Island pine (draucaria ex- 
celsa) looks somewhat like a spruce tree, but 
is even stiffer and more regular in its branch- 
ing. Growing it in the house presents no 
special difficulties. 
Asparagus plumosus nanus is the best plant 
for the dining-table jardiniere. 
The umbrella plant (Cyperus alternifolius) 
is easy to grow and very effective. It needs a 
little more light than some things. 
Aspidistra is one of the easiest decorative 
plants to grow and, in many respects, the most 
attractive. “Chere are two varieties, one, with 
green leaves and the other, with variegated 
leaves. 
Dracenas are usually stove plants, but D. 
fragrans and D. indivisa do well in the house. 
The former has broad leathery leaves, the 
latter, thin grass-like leaves. 
Ferns in considerable variety may be used. 
Take off yourHat ‘¢-3a& = mS) A 
Reet tonei culate 
F. E. EjorsaoreX ERS 
Ashland, Ohio 
AY "nee 
TOOLS "33:5 
IZa 
WS TBRANDO. 
Sheep Manure 
Kiln dried and pulverized. No weedsor bad 
odors. Helps nature hustle. For garden, 
lawn, trees, See fruits wace house plants. 
$4. 00 ir Saree] te your it Mi hes 
Apply now, 
Tho Pulverized Manure Co.,21Union Stock Yards, Chicago, 
