Women Make the Homes Make the 
Homes. \tyOM AN AND THE HOME. 
A LTHOUGH the Sandwich Islands are of considerable 
diplomatic importance, interest in the new Hawai¬ 
ian queen Liliuokalani, seems to center largely in the effort 
to pronounce her too-syllabic name. This formula is sug¬ 
gested : Divide and spell Lil-l!6e-woke-a-lanny, accent the 
•' ee” strongly, and it will say itself almost as glibly and 
prettily as our pretty English form, Lily-of-the-Sky. The 
queenly Lily has a pretty 16 year-old half-English daugh¬ 
ter at school in England, 
* * * 
Our two plants of the Magnolia scented Moonflower 
purchased of a florist early in May, have covered 25 feet of 
piazza space, but are just beginning to yield their harvest 
of lovely starry, satiny flowers. It was September before 
the first bud opened, and unless Jack Frost is merciful and 
delays his plnchlngs, we shall have but scant time to enjoy 
the beauty of this favorite. To sit in the moonlight and 
see the ghostly flowers spread their folded petals is a part 
of the joy; yet it comes too late. But pieces of the vine 
will root readily, and we shall try to winter some cuttings, 
in an effort to have older plants for spring setting. If 
successful in keeping the tender things through the cold 
weather, we hope to be able to get bloom earlier another 
Possibly the interest of our readers in Mrs. Kellerman’s 
delightful recital of “Some Novel Expositions,” may be 
enhanced by a few introductory words about the mystic 
‘'sloyd,” or “slojd”as it is spelled in Sweden. The pri¬ 
mary meaning of the word is hand-skill, and perhaps in its 
str'c'est sense it would be confined to the meaning of hand- 
skill in wood working. Our correspondent uses it, how¬ 
ever, in a broader sense. Sloyd has been called the latest 
educational fad, but that it has in it the elements of far 
more than a fad we think no thoughtful person will deny. 
* * * 
The superintendent of a school of this sort in Boston, 
which takes in the 10 to 15-year old children of the streets 
and gives them training in this fascinating art of “making 
something,” to which Mrs. Kellerman so happily refers, 
said to a questioner: “We are trying to make boys not 
chopping boards.” The question was as to the need of 
the extreme nicety of the finish required of the workers in 
such common articles. It can be better understood when 
we remember that the work teaches them the use of tools, 
as well as the use of their hands, eyes, brains, observation, 
obedience, the study of form, and a dozen other virtues 
and practical benefits. 
* * * 
So enthusiastic is the reception of this three-year old idea 
(In this country) that already it is said that ic will be but 
a matter of months, when every public school in Boston, 
at least, will have its sloyd school attached. 
* * * 
Girls as well as boys receive this training, and the teach¬ 
ers assert that they are as skillful in the use of their hands 
and as teachable in the matter of tools as their brothers, 
while in details they are apt to be more accurate. 
* * * 
One who had the privilege of inspecting the sloyd 
classes at work writes thus : 
“ There is a good deal of fine work about this domestic 
Implement (a lemon squeezer) made as the sloyd classes 
have to make it; but Mary Mlllaley sawed out her thick 
piece of board as handily as any boy in the morning class 
would have done it. To get the hollow on one part of the 
squeezer and the bulging part on the other exactly true, 
so that they will fit each other like a hand into a glove, is 
a nice operation ; but Mary went about it scientifically, 
and when it was done sandpapered the whole down to a 
satin finish, hinging the two parts as beautifully as a 
skilled cabinet-maker could have done it. 
“ ‘ Mary,’ said I to her when the class was dismissed and 
she was putting on her hat and sacque, ‘ how do you like 
this work ? ’ 
“‘Oh, it Is splendid !’she cried, with enthusiasm. *1 
would rather do it than anything else. It’s more fun. 
Mamma doesn’t think it is quite proper for girls; but I 
have to take piano lessons, and I just hate them 1 and so she 
bribes me to go on with music by letting me come to sloyd. 
And I don’t see why it ain’t just as well for girls to know 
how to use tools and drive a nail and make things, as it is 
to bang on an old piano when they hate it! ’ ” 
SOME NOVEL EXPOSITIONS. 
A Way to Spend Odd Moments. 
NCE upon a time” there was a little girl named 
Angeline, and a little boy named Fred. The 
little girl was nine years old; the little boy, seven. They 
lived in the country, a long way from any schoolhouse, and 
so their mamma taught them at home. 
They had more time for play than children in school; 
they could learn their lessons very quickly, there being no 
paper wads or pranks of other boys to distract them. But, 
what should they play ? Even in the country where there 
are birds and flowers, brooks and minnows, and whistles 
growing on trees, the question, “ What shall we do ? ” 
sometimes presents itself to the little ones. 
Now it happened one day that Angeline said to Fred, 
“ Let’s have an Industrial Exposition ; let us see what we 
can make,” and they straightway went to work. There¬ 
after two little heads were often seen in consultation, 
but nobody knew what was brewing; they were going to 
surprise papa and mamma; so the little plans were kept 
secret. Mamma felt that “ something was In the air,” 
for there no longer seemed time for ill tempered moods ; 
lessons were dispatched with more energy; there seemed to 
be a ‘ motive power ’ which kept up their interest and en¬ 
thusiasm. They were making things! 
Days, weeks and months went by: whenever there was a 
lull in the children's play or whenever a rainy day kept 
them indoors, they stole quietly away up stairs, or out in 
the barn, and busied themselves mamma knew not exactly 
how, but she could hear the noise of the sewing machine 
occasionally overhead, or she knew hammer and nails were 
in demand in the barn. 
Papa and mamma had not told them they must learn to 
sew, or must learn to use tools; but had placed knowledge, 
so to speak, temptingly within their reach; pretty bixs of 
cloth, scissors, bright tissue paper, pencils, drawing cards, 
tools, hammers, nails, little pine blocks and boards, and 
various other “ Implements ” had been given them from 
time to time. 
One day there was much running In and out, ud and 
down, even into the basement; there were hurryings to 
and fro, and whisperings; there were meaning glances 
and twinkles in their eyes, and at last there came a card 
of invitation to papa and mamma to attend an “ Industrial 
Exposition ” to be held in “Basement Hall.” 
Two little hearts beat happily and four bright eyes 
sparkled as their Invited guests entered the " Exposition 
Hall.” Two other hearts pulsated in response, and four 
older eyes gazed with glad surprise at the objects before 
them. The walls were decorated with festoons of tissue 
paper, tables had been extemporized and neatly covered 
with newspapers. “Sloyd” had been at work, and the 
crude little efforts spoke volumes on the vexed question 
of education. 
These children had voluntarily wrought out the concep¬ 
tions of their busy brains. It was an embryonic display, 
but it showed originality both in conception and execu¬ 
tion. There were ingenious vases made of egg shells, mats 
and fans made of the plumy, white chicken feathers. 
There was a little paste-board house, with gable roof and 
glass windows, furnished with paper furniture; the lawn 
surrounding it was worthy of a Downing, with its pict¬ 
uresque and beautiful grounds. A large board covered 
with bright-green moss fresh from the woods, served as 
Blue Grass; branches from cedars, pines and ornamental 
shrubs, planted In little plots of moist sand, represented 
shade trees and flowering shrubs. On one side was a wee 
lake (a bit of looking glass) with tiny shells strewn along 
the “ beach,” where two little “ children ” stood looking 
off into the sea, as if listening to what the wild waves were 
saying. Scrap-books, drawings, doll dresses, doll hats, 
bonnets and wraps, kites, boats, guns, and swords of all 
descriptions completed the list of articles placed on exhibi¬ 
tion. 
It is needless to say that papa and mamma pronounced the 
“exposition” a success; they regretted only that other 
papas and mammas could not be present, for they felt sure 
that sloyd would have been given more encouragement in 
other homes, if they could but understand how to give him 
an opportunity. 
All this happened four years ago, and once a year since 
that time, an “Annual Industrial Exposition” of the 
“ Home School” has been held. The second was also held 
in “ Basement Hall.” Five other children this time joined 
in the work, “ A little leaven leaventh the whole lump.” 
Busy brains and fingers, guided by happy hearts planned 
and worked, making various things that would fill a little 
want or need, and also be worthy a place at the little fair. 
No article was allowed on exhibition the second time. 
There was no stated time for sloyd, but whenever there 
was time to spare from lessons or play, there was some¬ 
thing to do! They made spatter-work after their own de¬ 
signs; took Impressions of leaves which fascinated them 
with their delicacy : needle and thimble were more skill¬ 
fully used; hammer and nails more deftly handled, so 
that “Basement Hall” was all too small to accommodate 
the extensive display. The other little ones, as stated, 
were five in number, three belonging to one family, two to 
another. They invited their mammas, but only one found 
time to accept the invitation. I have always felt sorry for 
the other, for no mother could witness the sight without 
being touched to the heart at the manifest efforts of the 
children to do their best, in so many directions, of their 
own accord. Create but the opportunity for the child and 
he will seize It. 
The third year a larger constituency represented the ex¬ 
position, and more commodious quarters were found. For 
the first time the public was invited, and I saw with my 
own eyes the little girl and boy who originated the idea of 
holding an annual exhibition of what they had done 
through the year. They are still the managers, though I 
do not doubt that papa and mamma counsel, suggest and 
advise. 
As I said, an invitation had been extended to the public; 
but I had no idea that the public would respond. What 
was my surprise upon entering, to find the hall crowded, 
not only with children, but their papas, mammas, grand¬ 
mas, uncles, aunts and cousins 1 The hall was a recitation 
or lecture room in the museum building of the agricultural 
college. Long boards had been placed on the desks for 
tables ; these were covered with large newspapers and the 
various articles were arranged tastefully upon them. 
There was an “ art” table covered with drawings, show¬ 
ing taste, patience, and skill; another table was devoted 
to scroll-saw work; there were baskets, brackets, easels, 
jewel boxes, overlay and inlay work, carefully sand¬ 
papered, and many pieces either varnished or finished in 
hard oil. Several articles were from original designs. 
On the wood-work table, there were drays, wagons, 
tables, foot-rests, boxes, ships, a little dressing-bureau, 
with three drawers, “ patent ” flour holders and always 
guns and swords of various designs! Everything was 
stamped with the individuality of the little workers; they 
had done everything themselves, and were as pleased as 
an author over the popularity of his book. 
There were specimens of cooking, washing. Ironing, 
sewing, fancy-work and crocheting; there were collections 
of plants, neatly mounted and labeled. I queried here, 
“ .s it possible that the children have done all this them¬ 
selves?” and 1 learned that they had formed a class of their 
own accord during the summer months, and had actually 
collected, pressed, mounted and labeled the plants all 
themselves. 
“ But how were they able to do it ? ” I persisted. 
“ Why, mamma taught us a while, then I studied with 
a class one term, and I taught the others, and we had a 
jolly time at our lessons,” said Angeline. 
They had worked faithfully all summer long; had their 
lessons in an arbor out of doors, mingled with laughter 
and bird songs. There were also collections of wood, show¬ 
ing the cross grain, bark and smooth wood, mounted on 
little pine boards, and labeled; collections of forest leaves, 
mounted and labeled, and, Oh ! such hosts of things I can¬ 
not tell you of them all as I would like to, especially since 
connected with nearly everything made, there were inter¬ 
esting incidents. 
The fourth exposition was held last September, and 
again the tables were full to overflowing and the Hall was 
filled with Interested visitors. What was to be seen this 
time? A higher grade of work throughout. A dozen or 
more children had taken part. There were pies, cakes, 
bread, butter, jellies, candles, canned fruits; there were 
rustic seats, flower-stands and baskets; a washstand all 
complete, with cupboard and drawer ; there were more 
elaborate scroll-saw work and more of it, better sewing and 
drawing, better made things in every department. “ Blue 
prints ” of various objects on exhibition showed that pho¬ 
tography had gained more amateurs. The little doll house 
I must mention in detail: You remember that at the first 
exposition, held in “ Basement Hall,” there was a paste¬ 
board house; we might call it an unpretentious cottage, 
where one delights to think love always dwells, but this 
last effort was a mansion in comparison; a genuine frame 
house, with mansard roof, double windows, porch and 
doors hinged with little brass hinges; weather-boarded 
and painted in chocolate and cream colors. 
It was furnished a la mode with rugs and folding screens, 
kitchen and parlor furniture, curtains, with rings and 
poles. The whole interior was neatly papered. It was the 
delight of every child and had been the pride of Angeline 
and Fred for months during its construction and com¬ 
pletion. 
I have tried to give a bird’s eye view of these different 
“expositions,” hoping to interest other little girls and 
boys in sloyd so that they may become important factors 
in industiial work, even if they never have an opportunity 
of seeing “ a great industrial school.” 
Kansas. mus. w. A. kellerman. 
OUR CHEAP CONSERVATORY. 
VER since we were married and settled in the big, 
old-fashioned farm house, I had been teasing John 
for a special place to keep my plants. I suppose a conser¬ 
vatory, however small, would have been more satisfactory 
than what we finally evolved, but we are quite satisfied 
with our cheap substitute. 
In the southeast corner of the house was a room, oine 
feet square, originally intended for a bedroom and having 
two windows of good size, one facing east and the other 
south; we had two more put in. close up in the corners, 
on each side, which gave the same strong side light that is 
obtained in a bay window, with less than a quarter of the 
expense. Shelves fastened up with brackets, across the 
half sash and close under the sill, supplemented with 
brackets screwed securely to the window casings and 
swinging either way, afforded plenty of pot room. Care 
taken to keep a dish of water constantly on the stove, to 
shut the door when sweeping so as to exclude dust, and to 
apply liquid manure about once a month, has brought very 
satisfactory results. 
We are both of us very fond of roses, and tried a long 
time to raise them so that they would be thrifty, flower¬ 
ing plants, but we failed many times, and tried many ex¬ 
periments before we found out that a soil composed of half 
leaf mould, half rich garden soil and some lumps of clay, 
with care taken to keep all worms out of the pots (best 
done by pouring boiling water over and through the part¬ 
ly dried soil before potting) wetting the leaves with weak 
salt and water for mildew, dipping the whole top of the 
plant in water heated to 125 or 130 degrees for aphis or 
green fly, sprinkling both the upper and under side of the 
leaves frequently for red spider, and rubbing the stalks 
with a little soft soap for scale, would insure success every 
time. Now I feel quite confident when making a trial of 
some new variety and am very seldom disappointed. 
Coleuses we have found to thrive exceedingly well if 
never shifted from their own place, but allowed to grow 
always in the same light. 
