March, 1911 AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS xi 
American Homes and Gardens 
for Apmil 
A Country House 
The opening article for this issue will be the country 
house of A. Lithgow Devens, Esq., at Manchester, 
Mass. A competent paper has been prepared by 
Francis Durando Nichols, which is illustrated by many 
fine engravings. They show exterior and interior 
views, and also the grounds around the estate. It is a 
house worth knowing something about. 
Garden Notes 
“Critical Notes on Typical Planting Schemes” is an in- 
structive article written by Charles Downing Lay for 
this issue. Mr. Lay, in the same publication, concludes 
his Planting Table of the Best Perennials, from the 
March number of AMERICAN HoMEs AND GARDENS. 
Helps for the Housewife 
Phoebe Wescott Humphreys, who is not unknown to 
the readers of this magazine, will take up a depart- 
ment entitled “Helps for the Housewife.” Mrs. 
Humphreys’ paper for this issue will be devoted to the 
making and canning of preserves. ‘This subject is one 
that will be of interest to all housekeepers, and it con- 
tains many helpful and timely recipes. 
A Concrete City by the Sea 
Concrete is by no means a new material, for it has been 
used from the time of the ancient Romans. An inter- 
esting and instructive article has been contributed by 
John F. Springer, which deals with this material in its 
application to modern residential uses. It is hand- 
somely illustrated by numerous engravings showing 
many houses of concrete which have been recently 
built. The exterior and interior views picture a num- 
ber of modern houses, and with the diagram plans they 
offer many suggestions for the home builder. 
Furniture of Our Forefathers 
Perhaps to the lay reader the cleverest classification of 
the furniture of the Eighteenth Century would be that 
of the curve and the straight line. ‘These styles came 
in the late Georgian period. Esther Singleton has pre- 
pared an excellent paper on this subject, which con- 
cludes her series of articles on the Furniture of Our 
Forefathers which appeared in the February and the 
March issues of AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS. 
Suggestions for Darning 
The immense popularity of all forms of darning owes 
its development to the way in which it adapts itself to 
all kinds of decorative treatment. An illustrated paper 
written by Mabel Tuke Priestman, shows some of the 
designs along the lines of simple broad effects which 
are so much desired to-day in all forms of needle 
work. 
The Japanese Garden in America 
The ever-increasing demand for novelty in the orna- 
mentation of country-seats, in late years has led to 
pleasing results as typified in the reproduction of the 
Oriental garden. An interesting paper prepared by 
Phoebe Wescott Humphreys, presents the fact that 
while a few years since there was not a Japanese gar- 
den constructed upon true Oriental principles to be 
found on any of the American country-seats, to- 
day there are many gardens of this character which 
have been laid out under the directions of competent 
Japanese craftsmen. The article is profusely illus- 
trated, and is one that will be of service to those in- 
- terested. 
A Novel Rain-Water Collector 
Owing to the increasing installation of water works, 
rain-water collectors, which once were so much in favor, 
in a measure have been neglected. Mr. Alfred Graden- 
witz, has prepared an interesting paper with illustra- 
tions of some of the devices which can still be used 
with satisfaction. ‘These rain-water collectors are specially 
well adapted for use in country places where there is no 
water works established. 
The Sitting Hen and Her Management 
The season of the year has now arrived when the con- 
sideration of the sitting hen should be taken up for 
study. Ida D. Bennett has prepared a paper on the 
subject and tells in a pleasing way how to manage the 
setting of a hen, which ought to be of interest to the 
amateur who is thinking of developing the care of the 
mother and the raising of her chicks. 
Wild Flowers Worth Growing 
In your rambles through the woods when the ground 
is carpeted with spring flowers, did you ever think of 
the possibilities of transplanting some of these flowers 
to your garden? Nathaniel S. Green has prepared an 
excellent paper on the subject, and tells in a practical 
way how wild flowers can be transplanted and culti- 
vated with excellent results. 
Artistic Novelties for the Easter Table 
The attractiveness of every table, whether set for 
luncheon, dinner or parties, may be increased by the 
addition of timely centerpieces and favors, and the 
enjoyment of such an occasion is sure to be greater if 
the individual favors bespeak the characteristics or pet 
hobbies of the guests. May L. Schryver has prepared 
an article on how to purchase the necessary favors, or 
how to work them. The article is profusely illustrated 
by many fine engravings, showing some exceptionally 
good designs for table decorations, and are specially 
well adapted to children’s parties. 
Home-Made Pottery—III 
W. P. Jervis presents his third paper on the making of 
pottery in the homé. He tells in a pleasing way how 
it may be done, and shows by illustrations the results 
accomplished. 
