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SPECIAL FEATURE ISSUES OF AMERICAN HOMES 
AND GARDENS 
HE policy of the publishers of AMERICAN HOMES AND 
GarpeENs for the coming year is to make a special 
feature each month of one particular article pre- 
pared by a well-known author and to be properly illustrated. 
By this means we shall be able to accomplish a larger work 
and to render greater service to our readers than can be 
obtained in any other way. In carrying out this plan it is 
the intention not to disturb the regular course of our usual 
method of publication more than is indicated in the present 
announcement. 
AUGUST}ENUMBER 
HE subject which is to be specialized in the August 
issue of AMERICAN HoMEs AND GARDENS is “The 
Management of the Water Supply for the Country 
House.” This is a very timely subject. It is one that will 
appeal to those who are interested in the attainment of an 
adequate supply of good water for their country homes and 
there is none more important or essential to be considered 
in the selection of a site for the building of a country house. 
John F. Springer has prepared an excellent paper on the 
subject, which is profusely illustrated by photographic views, 
showing the various systems, from wind-mill power up to 
the automatic water supply. There is no question but that 
the various systems presented in this paper are within the 
reach of any one who owns or contemplates owning a place 
in the country which may be situated outside of the limit 
usually supplied by local water companies. It is a subject 
worth the information given, and Mr. Springer tells it in a 
very practical and readable way, and shows by illustrations 
how the means may be easily and properly supplied to 
country dwellings in different localities and conditions of 
supply. 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
HE three salient points which the reader should con- 
sider before subscribing to a magazine are the merits 
of the book, its utility to him personally and the 
price of the publication. AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
occupies a position in the magazine field which is unique; 
unique, for the reason that it stands on its own merits and 
not on the methods pursued by the publishers of other 
magazines of its class) AMERICAN HoMES AND GARDENS 
is a home paper. Its pages are dedicated to the home, its 
decoration, its furnishing, its equipment, and to the planning 
and beautifying of the home grounds. A comparison of 
its pages with those of other magazines that make an 
attempt to follow its example, are too obvious to merit 
more comment. The editor of one of the leading Western 
magazines wrote to the publishers, stating that he ‘‘con- 
sidered the Annual Small House Number the finest issue of 
its kind that he had ever seen.” It is certainly gratifying to 
receive this kind of an endorsement from so experienced an 
authority, and the publishers were pleased to learn of addi- 
tional proof that it is fulfilling the demand for the class of 
literature and of art that is presented in its pages. 
AMERICAN HoMEs AND GARDENS stands for the best in 
home-building. Every page contains a suggestion for the 
home. It teaches the beauty of building the house; it ex- 
presses the charm and the scope of developing the home 
grounds; it gives helpful advice as to some of the best 
methods to use in decorating and furnishing the interior of 
the home; it presents articles of a more intimate character 
such as the arrangement of the table and the preparation 
of foods; all of which are prepared by the best expert 
writers on the various subjects, which are presented in an 
intelligent and readable manner. 
THE CARE OF MILK IN THE HOME 
HE subject of the production and care of milk is so 
prominently before the public at the present time 
that we believe the publication of a paper on the sub- 
ject will be of interest to our readers and will be helpful in 
bringing about better conditions for the care of milk after 
delivery by the dealer. 
The article which is presented in the pages of this issue, 
gives the detailed information on the proper care of milk 
which is one of the most perishable and the most valuable 
foods. 
THE BOY GARDENERS 
LL over the land there is a new and keen interest in 
gardening. Many schools have made gardening a 
part of the regular school course, the object being to 
stimulate and aid childrens’ home gardens and, incidentally, 
the care and improvement of the home yards. 
To plant a garden is a natural impulse with children. 
They take to it voluntarily and with enthusiasm. 
Just to handle the cool, clean earth, and sow little seeds 
is to have the joy of seeing and touching real things. The 
appearance of the first leaf of the tiny shoots in our school 
gardens is a time of rejoicing. 
Those of an inquiring mind are impelled to take the 
plants out of the earth now and then, to see how they are 
getting on. 
Garden training is a good thing for a boy, as it is a most 
important factor in the development of character, for with 
the proper training the child raises with a crop of flowers 
and vegetables, a harvest of patience, perseverance, unself- 
ishness and bodily strength. 
I believe that school gardens should be connected with 
every elementary school wherever practical, so as to make, 
in a social way, a closer relationship between the school 
and the home. 
