HOUSE AND GARDEN 
January, 
I9G 
LEAVENS 
FURNITURE 
1 Good taste in furniture does not 
depend upon cost. The excellence of 
Leavens designs and the wide variety 
from which you may choose, ensures 
a correct selection. 
IT Simple, well built, well finished, 
honest throughout, not a piece but 
which will accord with the best of 
American life. 
If Stands out in contrast to the 
cheap imitations and ornate examples. 
If Good solid oak construction, 
reasonable and simple designs and 
your own taste in finish. 
If Shipments carefully made, insur¬ 
ing safe delivery. 
If Send for complete set No. 4 of 
over 200 illustrations and prices. 
WILLIAM LEAVENS & CO. 
Manufacturers 
32 Canal Street, Boston, Mass. 
OSES SS NEW CASTLE 
is the title of the greatest book on the culture of roses 
and other plants ever published; gives expert experi¬ 
ence of a lifetime—free. Exquisitely illustrated in 
natural colors; offers and tells how to grow America’s 
most famous collection of high grade own-root rose 
plants. This beautiful book—FREE. Write. 
HELLER BROS. CO., Box 352, New Castle, Ind • 
Our 1915 
will be ready 
January 10th 
Send for it. Sure to interest 
and please you 
H. H. BERGER & CO. 
70 Warren Street, New York 
Spring Garden Book 
Many houses are being built to-day on 
what is called the percentage plan. This 
is similar to the old method of building 
a house “by the day.” I have developed 
a new way that has worked so far very 
well. 
The contractor agrees to erect the build¬ 
ing for from ten to five per cent of its cost 
— the percentage is smaller as the cost in¬ 
creases — and agrees that its cost will not 
exceed a fixed amount, which is deter¬ 
mined by conservative estimate. This 
assures the builder a legitimate profit — 
which he deserves — and in return he is to 
give his attention to pushing the work, 
purchasing the material specified as cheap¬ 
ly as possible, taking all discounts and fa¬ 
vorable terms, subject to the approval and 
directions of the architect. I check this 
system by having a printed form, which 
the foreman reports on each day, giving 
the number of men at work (not under a 
sub-contractor) and all material received 
at the job that day. The supervising 
architect or his assistant checks that list 
each day. At the end of the month the 
material hills come in and are checked 
against the daily reports. The lowest 
market rate for the material is checked 
and the bills paid when correct. Usually 
the sub-contracts for plumbing, heating 
and electric wiring are let, at a fixed 
price, with a schedule of unit prices for 
any extra work, while all the other items 
are put under a general contract on the 
above basis. The method insures a first- 
class job at the lowest cost, if the method 
is carried out and the work pushed, as the 
control is vested in the owner through his 
architect. I have tried this scheme even 
on a large steel and concrete commercial 
building, and had it work perfectly. 
The business should be handled through 
the architect, the builder addressing the 
owner through the architect, or the owner 
the builder in the same manner. Monthly 
payments on the work should be made di¬ 
rect to the contractor upon the certificate 
of the architect to enable him to pay and 
discount all bids, as in any other business. 
The superintendence is one of the most 
important duties of an architect. The 
plans and details may have been carefully 
prepared, but, through careless workmen, 
costly mistakes will occur in their execu¬ 
tion unless their interpretation is carefully 
watched and continuallv explained by the 
architect. Such mistakes can only result 
in loss and annoyance to all the parties 
concerned ; therefore, an extensive knowl¬ 
edge of the dozen or more trades, prac¬ 
tices, materials and the cause and effect of 
mechanical forces are essential to the 
architect’s training. He should also be a 
just and impartial referee between the 
owner and builder. 
To a familiarity with details must be 
added quickness of perception and sound¬ 
ness of judgment that make it impossible 
for any faulty work to escape his notice, 
and to guard against any waste of effort 
or of time; and, having rendered a de- 
EAutsideVenetians 
V J WliMi. , • 
For Windows 
and Piazzas 
OST practical and sub¬ 
stantial combination of 
Blind and Awning yet de¬ 
vised. Far more sightly 
and durable than fabric 
awnings. Very easily op¬ 
erated. Slatsopen andclose 
to admit air, yet exclude 
sun rays. Can be pulled 
up out of sight, if desired. 
; For Illustrated Booklet 
Specify “Venetian 3” 
J.G.WilsonCorporation 
1,3 & 5 W. 29th St., New York 
Patentee and Manufac¬ 
turer of Inside and Outside 
Venetians, Porch, Piazzas 
and Veranda Venetians, 
Rolling Partitions, Rolling 
Steel Shutters, Hygienic 
Wardrobes, Wood Block 
Floors. 
INGEE POSFS 
Sturdy as Oaks 1 vVL/LJ 
Our roses are strongest and best. Always grown 
on their own roots. More than 60 years 
of “knowing how” behind each plant; 
that fact is your guarantee of satis¬ 
faction. Safe delivery guaranteed 
—our guide explains. No matter 
where you live, you can 
depend on getting D & C roses 
in perfect condition. Write for 
Our “New Guide lo 
Rose Culture” for 1915—Free 
Thisis absolutely the most educational work on rosecultureever^ 
published. It isn’t a catalog—it is the boiled-down lifetime expe¬ 
rience o f the oldest rose-growing house in the United States. The 
guide is free. Iti s profusely illustratedinnaturalcolors. Describes 
over 1000 varieties of roses and other flowers and tells how to 
grow them. This guide will be treasuredlong by rose lovers— 
write today before issue is all gone. It’s free. No other rose! 
house has our reputation. Established 1850. 70 greenhouses. I 
The DINGEE & CONAKD CO., Box 1 74 West Grove,Pa. I 
Old English Garden Seats 
And other Artistic Garden Accessories, including 
Garden Houses, Arbors, Pergolas, Treillage, Gates, 
Rose Temples, in painted and rustic. “ We have 
an attractive offer for January buyers.” 
For Catalog of many designs address 
Nortti Shore Ferneries Co. 
BEVERLY, MASS. 
New York Showroom Craftsman Bldg., E. 39th St. 
In writing to advertisers please mention House & Garden. 
