INFORMATION FOR 'T'HERE is no apology needed for 
THE LAYMAN packing a magazine like House 
& Garden full of the most definite 
instruction, but since the topic is the subject of so much discussion 
it is worth while here to offer an explanation. Since there are a 
few who would describe the information about the more or less 
dull processes of construction as a somewhat unpalatable dose, 
we may be able to give the directions for taking in order that it 
may seem less unpleasant medicine, become fully digested without 
difficulty and perform its office efficiently. 
There are, however, many who consider house building a de¬ 
light, a different pleasure from its attendant one of making the 
home. We have always noticed that such prospective owners, 
and they are in the majority, are hungry for all the information 
obtainable. We have attempted this month to provide it. 
That popularized architectural knowledge is harmful, is but 
little true. If a few isolated facts and pictures constituted the 
so-called “knowledge” perhaps the statement might go unchal¬ 
lenged, but no one but a reactionary would inveigh against the 
propaganda that supplied vital essentials and an explanation of 
principles. The automobile dealer goes at great length to explain 
the technical details of his product — and they are of an abstruse 
nature—to the layman. It is often on points of mechanical superi¬ 
ority that the automobile is sold rather than on the grace of line 
and trimmings. It is just as important that the prospective owner 
know the working parts of his house. They are often its selling 
points, too, and they certainly are the factors which go toward 
the health and happiness of those living within it. 
Mr. Jackson in showing how the architect works, refutes the 
opinion sometimes given that architects would prefer clients un¬ 
familiar with building. Anything which goes toward clarifying 
and crystalizing the client’s ideas is saving time for him. What 
is more, and this is true of all knowledge getting, the further we 
proceed the more we are made cognizant of the limitations of 
our knowledge. The man or woman — it is more often the woman 
—who has read up and studied and clipped from magazines and 
catalogues is not apt to insist on a Spanish Mission house on 
the rocky stretch of Maine coast which she owns, nor is she apt 
to place stumbling blocks in the way of the architect’s esthetic 
considerations. The architect is an interpreter both of his clients 
tastes and needs, and of the requirements of the situation. What¬ 
ever facilitates his gaining knowledge of his client’s demands and 
peculiarities, works for the success of his design and enables 
him to produce, not only a work of art, but a building efficient 
as a home. Then for your good and the architect’s good, but 
especially for the fun it gives in planning, read. 
MAPPING OUT \ CORRESPONDENT of this 
A CAMPAIGN magazine had what she called 
her paper house. It was only a scrap 
book, but it was a very valuable one. She had a little of the mania 
of collecting, and when the dim prospect of actually building her 
home became almost visual she discovered a vast heap of pictures 
and articles, of schemes and penciled notes. They had been 
gathered on visits, at exhibitions and from her reading. She 
procured a scrap book and divided it into as many departments 
as she thought were necessary. They ran something like this: 
Plan, Elevations, Living-room, Dining-room, Hall, Bedroom, 
Bathroom, Kitchen and Cellar. There was a section for general 
information not able to be classified under this scheme, but she 
found that hints mostly worked down to specific recommendations 
under the scheme given above. Under such heading she pasted 
the collected hints and at last there grew a definite impression of 
just what she wanted each room to look like, and in that way a 
clear idea of the whole house. When they had the place to build 
upon she submitted her paper house to the architect in order to 
be passed upon. Of course, there was much to be changed but 
the architect had an excellent working basis to proceed upon and 
her home is proof of the success of careful planning. 
There is another line of research that the prospective builder 
may work upon, and which will bring him good results and save 
him expense. The architect’s genius combines a wide knowledge 
of many arts and trades, but he is not omnicient, and the client— 
especially if his architect is from another section of the country— 
may have some valuable information to contribute if he obtains 
a knowledge of local costs of materials and fixtures. Consulta¬ 
tion with a builder of good reputation and intimacy with the 
products of manufacturers of water, lighting, heating and plumb¬ 
ing apparatus will serve in good stead. 
And lastly one caution, do not think that your determination 
on a particular style of house is necessarily absolute. The archi¬ 
tect’s training may suggest a type somewhat different from what 
you have had in mind, but more fitting to your interior scheme. 
His sense of the esthetic should be the determining factor. If 
you are decided on this external feature, you must be prepared 
to let him make interior changes to fit it. After all style is largely 
determined by the use of local building materials and local condi¬ 
tions. Upon this much of the success of English and German 
rural architecture depends. There they try to interpret the spirit 
of the locality and pay attention to precedent and local tradition 
of the best sort. Much of the restless feeling and impression of 
unfitness we sometimes find fault with, is due to the desire to 
build something different, to have a unique house. Personality 
does not depend upon being different. It is more important to 
build in harmony to the neighborhood, but aim to do it better and 
truer, if possible. Therein lies the secret of the distinctive home. 
MONTICELLO /t FTER visiting Stratford, most travelers 
-A*- return disappointed. The hope was to 
have approached the great human figure of the plays; the realiza¬ 
tion was to find even the ghost of the great dramatist driven from 
his birthplace. Restraining chains, admonitory signs, the post 
card vendor, the professional guide, the gaping crowd; all these 
drive out the attendant spirit of the place and substitute a chilling 
presence entirely foreign to it. 
Monticello is now the property of an American. He and his 
father before him have dedicated it to the memory of Jefferson, 
have collected belongings that once were his and have made it a 
home where the traditions of its former inmate are carefully 
preserved. Visitors are welcomed if only they show a real desire 
to see the home of the Father of the Constitution. The estate is 
maintained with the care that the individual accords to his own 
dear possessions. 
Now a self prompted person, earnest enough perhaps, has 
launched a campaign to make Monticello a public charge. Un¬ 
fairly it is intimated that, “half a century of neglect and ingrati¬ 
tude” to Jefferson’s memory is chargeable to the present owner. 
It is urged that, if necessary, the place be seized by right of 
eminent domain. Such methods are not consistent with the ideas 
or practices of the former owner. We believe his presence is 
much more evident under the existing state of affairs, than under 
such a scheme as that proposed. Nor do we agree with the state¬ 
ment that Monticello “suffers the desecration of sometimes be¬ 
ing lived in.” Rather would it be a desecration to divert the 
stream of curious sightseers through the halls where now at 
least there is still a semblance of the quiet and simplicity of the 
life that once was there. Let us not drive away the impression 
of Monticello as a home until we must. 
(46) 
