May, 1911 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
xIx 
CORRESPONDENCE 
The Editor ofp AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS desires to extend an invitation to all its readers to send to the Correspond- 
ence Department inquiries on any matter pertaining to the decorating and furnishing of the home and to the developing of the home grounds. 
All letters accompanied by return postage will be answered promptly by mail. Replies that are of general benefit will be published in 
this Department. 
Problems in House Furnishing 
By ALICE M. KELLOGG 
A FRIEZE FOR A DINING-ROOM 
CANADIAN correspondent, Mrs. J. 
M. B., of Ottawa, writes, “I would 
like your advice about improving 
the side wall between the ceiling and the 
plate shelf in my dining-room. At present 
it is tinted a cream-white like the ceiling. 
Below the plate shelf is a two-toned red 
paper which I do not wish to change. 
Would you try to match the red paper and 
use it above the plate shelf? Or, would 
you use a tapestry paper? Is the space too 
wide for one of the picture borders that 
you mention from time to time in your 
Correspondence Department? The depth 
of the space is thirty-six inches. The 
woodwork in the room is oak stained a 
dark brown, and the furniture matches the 
woodwork. I have a good many ornamen- 
tal plates and dishes on my plate shelf.” 
The space above the plate rail will 
look best if it contrasts with the lower wall. 
As there are decorative objects to be dis- 
played, it would not be well to use a pic- 
ture border or a tapestry paper. A two- 
toned buff paper printed in a small, closely 
set pattern would make a good background. 
A narrow picture molding to match the 
woodwork would give a simple finish 
under the ceiling. The ceiling should be 
re-tinted the same tone as the buff paper. 
While there are a good many attractive 
picture borders, there are only a few as 
deep as the room requires. 
OCCASIONAL TABLES 
“I wish to buy two or three small 
tables for my living-room and would like 
to know of any special styles which you 
would recommend. The furniture in this 
room is all upholstered except a divan and 
a rocking chair. The wood that shows on 
the divan and rocking chair is mahogany. 
There are also some mahogany book-cases 
with glass doors.—M. B., Columbus, Ohio.” 
For a room that is made the general sit- 
ting place of the family, some small tables 
for occasional use are indispensable. The 
tea-table already set with tea things is not 
now in vogue, but a small mahogany table 
is usually kept in readiness to hold a tea 
tray; a work stand with small drawers that 
is capable of holding a drop light is a con- 
venience for the sewing members of the 
household. This table could also be of ma- 
hogany. One of the small teakwood stands 
with straight legs is especially desirable 
for holding a vase of flowers or a plant, as 
the top has a marble slab set into the 
frame. There are also small mahogany 
book-stands that may be carried from one 
part to another. A tip table is always a 
convenience, as it is ready to meet any extra 
demand. The folding card tables are al- 
most a necessity in these days of general 
card playing, but these would naturally, 
be kept out of sight when not in use. 
TRIMMING A FOUR-POSTER BED 
A New England reader, Miss F. J. B., 
has lately come into possession of a four- 
(Continued on page xx) 
Garden Work About the Home 
By OLIVER INGRAHAM 
HE following letter presents an inter- 
ae esting problem, but one that it is 
not possible to answer definitely. 
“Please give me as much information as 
you can about starting a greenhouse for 
my own pleasure, and also for profit. I 
would want to start in a small way at first: 
want to have a suburban place, but hardly 
feel able to live without the place would 
pay expenses at least. 
“1. What would a small greenhouse cost 
in this climate? 
2. How much ground would you sug- 
gest in case the business grew? 
“3. Do you think in a town of 15,000 
population a business of this kind would 
pay? 
“T will heartily appreciate your kind re- 
ply.” 
It is impossible to say what a small plant 
would cost in your town, because we don’t 
know exactly what “small’? means to you, 
but the greenhouse builders will be glad to 
give you an estimate on any size house you 
may select, and to advise you about the 
proper size for your purpose. A good house 
20 feet by 200 feet costs about one dollar 
per square foot near New York. 
If you have five acres of land it may not 
be too much for a comfortable home, and 
if your business grows so that the five 
acres are all in glass, you will probably be 
prosperous enough to buy a new place. 
There are plenty of men making a living on 
5,000 square feet of glass, and one acre 
would accommodate that, and the house and 
other necessary buildings. The size is de- 
termined by the income required and by 
the amount of capital available. It is aie 
vious that you cannot make a large income 
from a small house. 
The population of the town does not 
matter as much as its purchasing power. 
There are lots of florists making a living 
in much smaller towns, particularly when 
they are within shipping distance of a 
larger market. 
Near New York, rose growers figure that 
one thousand dollars profit per year for a 
house 20 feet by 200 feet is a good profit, 
when there are fifty such houses. In your 
case, however, the profit might possibly be 
greater, if you could manage to supply 
your local market with just what it will 
absorb in the way of flowers and potted 
plants. 
‘SY HAVE bought 7% acres of ground and 
have ordered 150 fruit trees to plant 
this spring. This summer or next 
I shall build a bungalow. 
“The plot is nearly square. It is divided 
in halves by a row of trees running north 
and south. At the northern end of this 
row of trees is a clump of trees on the 
highest part of the place. From this clump 
the slope is even in every direction. 
“The western half of the property, about 
four acres in extent, is now planted to 
wheat. The eastern half of 314 acres is in 
pasture. 
(Continued on page xxi) 
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This book tells 
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THREAD 
and 
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Having been manufacturers of Willow Furniture since 
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MINNET & CO.. Manufacturers of Willow Furniture 
365 Lexington Ave. (bet. 40th and 41st Sts.) 
NEW YORK 
Richard M. Archer, Mer. Factory, Carlstadt, N. J. 
Special Offering for Offering for 
