April, 1914 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
Per pint 
15c 
Per quart . 
2Sc 
2 quarts 
. 45c 
One quart wil 
1 cuver 300 sq . ft. 
Ask for our catalog when 
you send in your order. 
J. M. Thorburn & Co. 
T he envied charm ot 
lawns luxuriant in their 
beauty and regularity, is 
attributalde to one essential — 
good seed. 
A surprising!}'’ large portion 
of America's finest lawns were 
made with “The Thorburn 
Lawn Grass Seed.” 
This mixture makes a rich green- 
sward in three or four weeks — its tex- 
ture constantly improving as it ages. 
We want yon to plant this seed — 
to see for yourself the wonderful re- 
sults it is iwodueing. 
So, to acquaitit you with its true 
merits, we submit the following 
low prices — postage prepaid l)V us. 
The Thorburn Lawn Grass Seed 
“Philadelphia* 
LAWN MOWERS 
All Knives Vanadium Crucible Steel 
No other Mower made has such 
High Grade material in its construction 
INSIST UPON THE “PHILADELPHIA” 
If dealer cannot supply, write us 
The Philadelphia Lawn Mower Co. 
31<taod Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa., U. S. A. 
Vll 
THE TALKING MACHINE IN THE 
HOME 
By MARIE E, CAMP 
W rni the growing demand for music 
in the home and the natural desire of 
lluise with an apj»reciation for music to en- 
joy what ]ierhaps they themselves cannot 
liroducc. the talking machine has found it> 
way into popular use. .\s it is no longer 
limited to its original type as in the day-' 
of its inception in IkTR. but has hecomc a 
means of producing artistically and with the 
utmost accuracy and delicacy the host in 
vocal ami instrumental production, the talk- 
ing machine places within reach of thou 
sands, the music which, without this means 
of rendition, tliey would never hear. 
( )f the talking machine’s many uses, may 
he mentioned its utility in the school, h\ 
wliieh singing is taught to children and also 
languages from records which produce the 
exact tonal quality of the great singers and 
teachers as well as correct intonation and 
enunciation in the study of languages 
Dancing, loo. in all its varied forms, is 
taught hv this means — not only the modern 
dances as we know them, which have be- 
come even more general since the talking 
machine has made it possible to produce 
music of marked rhythm 'at nominal cost, 
without the accompaniment of a pianist or 
musicians — but the folk dances of all na- 
tions such as those of the Polaks, Swedes, 
etc. — which arc danced by them wherever 
they colonize and whenever they gather to 
enjov their native pastimes, while records 
in fifty different languages and dialects 
make it possible for them to hear their na- 
tive music — even Chinese and Japancse-- 
which to the occidental ear means so little 
that is harmonious or pleasing. 
While collections arc ma<le of tlic manv 
beautiful things in art it would seem that 
a collection of the world’s greatest voices 
would he an equal source of delight to 
the music lover, which could include those 
of great singers such as Michailowa. the fa- 
mous Russian soprano and idol of the conn 
trv. who may never he allowed hv the Cza'* 
to sing outside of Russia, and r.allistini 
the celebrated Italian baritone, whose pre- 
judice against crossing the ocean may make 
it impossible for him to he heard here, cx 
cept throus’h the talking machine. Manv 
hundred voices arc obtainable of which sev- 
eral. such as those of Gilihert and Tamagno 
have been perpetuated and which could 
never be heard but from the records made 
nrevious to their deaths — could he included 
in such a collection, which would form a 
musical lihrarv of the greatest interest 
value and satisfaction. 
It is through the talking machine. (00. that 
manv European singers arc first heard here* 
in .\mcrica hv operatic managers and are 
often engaged, as the ereatest care is taken 
in producing records that arc exact and dis 
tinct. 'Many attempts arc often requin'd 
even in recording the voices of experienced 
singers before the record will he accented as 
a perfect reproduction and worthv of diipli 
ration. The reproduction of animal sounds 
however, has not been wholly successful 
except in that of a captive nightingale's 
song, which was secured with great diffi- 
cultv because of its brevity. 
The case of the talking machine is al« 5 o 
an important consideration in its selection, 
which should be made with a view to its 
adaptahilitv to the character and decoration 
of the room in which it is placed Manv 
types are produced in a variety of woods 
and in all periods, so that they will blend as 
acceptably with their surroundings as any 
other piece of furniture. When one con- 
siders that the United States Government 
You can now a buy Burbank I 
garden from an exclusive dealer 
in your town. If not, send to 
us direct. 
The Burbank garden consists 
of Luther Burbank’s selection 
of 12 varieties of his own original 
seeds, which consists of : 
Burbank Shirley Poppies. These 
are the most beautiful poppies of all. No 
other flowers will produce such an array 
of gorgeous colors. The variety of 
shades is very wide, extremely dainty and 
beautiful. The foliage is soft and feathery 
while the petals remind one ot silky crepe 
paper. The most easily grown of all 
poppies and carries the most satisfaction 
to the amateur. Long Season Sweet 
Peas. A most unique flower and som«-- 
thing which is entirely different from any- 
thing every grown. The Burbank 
Morning Glory. Mr. Burbank has 
developed a most wonderful flower in 
this and from which great pleasure will 
be derived. Gigantic Evening Prim- 
rose. One single petal is as large as 
the whole flower of most other varieties. 
Blossoms are pure white and sometimes 
nearly a foot and a half in circumference, 
perfectly regular and flat. Produces a 
wealth of enormous blossoms and continues 
blossoming for months in succession. P 
Rainbow Corn. Something entirely 
new and very desirable for any gard<*n. 
It blooms from early spring until the 
heavy frosts corrre in the autumn. 
Gigantic Zinnia. A huge chrysan- 
themum-like flower blooming continuously 
throughout the summer, until late autumn. 
It is three or four times as large as the 
original zinnia and has a most brilliant array 
of colors in quaint shadings of scarlet, 
oink, salmon, yellow, white and bronze. 
There are six others of equal 
merit. 
fie sure and gel a $1 .00 Burbank, 
garden. Send to-day, if your local 
dealer does nol k^ep it, 
1914 Burbank 
Seed Book Free 
Every owner of a garden, large or imall, should 
have ihii book. In it Lulher Burbank, ihe great 
horiicullural geniut, tclli how to plant and raiie 
flower* and vegelable* knowledge necc«ary for 
garden iucceti — al»o deacfiplions and illuttralioni 
of ihe many famou* original Burbank flower*, 
some in color*. You'll be iutpri»ed al the 
moderate price* of Burbank novclliei. Luther 
Butlrank ha* created more new wonderful form* 
of plant life than any other man in the world. 
Write to-day for Seed Book H. C. 
Look for the teal, at reproduced above, on 
every packet. It it your prorecrion 
The Luther Burbank Co. 
Sole Diilnboler. of the Burhtoir Hoflicullur*! Peoducllont, 
1 " C"' 
