House and Garden 
are apt to make, eventually, tiresome companions, 
while those which leave something to the imagination 
and are full of repose may be said to “wear well.” 
Because one is inclined to fear the cold and to find 
difficulty in keeping the house sufficiently well heated 
it is quite important now to emphasize the necessity 
of fresh air and to caution against too many sealed 
windows. Give the house a good airing at frequent 
intervals and see that the ventilation is at all times 
active. Not only will this conduce to the health of 
the family but to the well-being of the house itself. 
And guard against too much dry heat for this is 
ruinous to wood work of all kinds, to say nothing of 
paintings. Keep the house an even temperature 
by means of the general plant and for special need 
use the open fireplaces freely. 
Look well, at this time, to the sanitation, see that 
the drain in the butler’s pantry does not become 
clogged, that the floor is free of grease spots, and the 
walls fresh painted or whitened. These are perhaps 
minor details, but they are of more importance now 
than in summer when the windows are all open and 
there is a free circulation of air—they are in fact a 
larger factor in the well-being of the house which is a 
home. 
THE GARDEN 
HERE is but little outdoor work which can he 
done during this month in latitudes north of 
Washington City, but the time can be profitably 
employed by continuing the study of plans for spring 
work. Doubtless it was observed that certain hardy 
plants failed to do well in their present positions. If 
so make note of desired changes. 
If your walks need repairing there will probably be 
days during the month when that work can be done 
when there is but little, if any, frost in the sur¬ 
face of the ground. 
Get the catalogues of the best florists and see what 
they offer. Any of them will gladly mail their publi¬ 
cations upon request. Make your selections and 
order early and bountifully. Insist on the best of 
stock and seed being furnished. It is a waste of time 
and space to try to get good results except from the 
best stock and seed. 
House plants are now to receive the greater share of 
your attention. Don’t forget that they require fresh 
air. There may be rainy days during the month 
when the temperature is sufficiently high to make it 
safe to put them out-of-doors for a while, but do not 
allow them to become chilled. The dry atmosphere 
of living-rooms is unfavorable to plant growth, and if 
they cannot be put out in the rain they should be 
sprayed, from time to time, or the heads dipped, 
occasionally, in a bath. The bath removes the 
accumulated dust from the foliage and invigorates 
the plant. 
In watering house plants, water freely and allow 
the roots to become fairly dry before repeating. As 
to how soon the roots will dry out depends on the 
plant growth, the more rapid the growth, the faster 
will the roots absorb the moisture. 
Suggestions heretofore made and now repeated: 
When the bulb-beds freeze hard, cover with a mulch, 
three or four inches thick, of leaves or litter; protect 
half-hardy roses by banking coal ashes about the 
plants, and cover with straw or short hoards to turn 
the surplus water. 
If you are to make your first effort at gardening, 
start right—have in mind the fact that the designing 
of the garden and the selection of the accessories is 
an art the same as that of painting. A success can¬ 
not be the result of haphazard work. As the artist 
uses the canvas for a medium of expression, so the 
gardener must use Nature’s own materials to make 
a pleasing picture. This requires study of the effects 
of composition of the materials to get expression. 
It is the artist-gardener, as much so as it is the 
artist-painter. 
A home and surroundings adorned with flowers is 
sure to be happy even though it is not always pros¬ 
perous. 
There are a number of perpetual-blooming sweet 
violets which are entirely hardy in most parts of the 
United States. Violets are great f avorites and always 
in demand. They do well in open ground and if 
given a sheltered sunny place will usually begin to 
bloom before the snows are gone. Put a selection of 
choice varieties on your “list’’ in making it up for the 
year’s work. 
In planning your yard this year have in mind the 
idea of letting the children help in its preparation and 
cultivation. It will add immensely to their happiness, 
bring them closer to the loveliness of Nature, and at 
the same time furnish for them a diversion of out¬ 
door exercise. This must be considered in the plan¬ 
ning, as it is well to let each member select some par¬ 
ticular flower or plant. A personal interest will attach 
to its cultivation and development. A spirit of gen¬ 
tle, heathful rivalry will be brought out. Some of 
the best florists of the country have anticipated the 
idea of having the children to help garden and are 
offering roses and other plants especially for the 
pleasure of children. The little ones will enjoy a 
rose bed all their own. 
Our Southern friends should get their sweet peas 
in the ground this month. Plant the seed three or 
four inches deep. Keep the ground loose and mellow 
{Continued on page 15, Advertising Section?) 
32 
