January, 1914 
A Ridgway piece follows in dark pink 
and white; “Western Star” being printed 
in pink on the bottom, with a beehive and 
urn with small dowers and the letters 
“W. R.” The deep outside border is a 
striking feature in this ample product, 
which holds two and one-half quarts — a 
worthy representation of the giver’s heart, 
for this with several others of the baker’s 
dozen has the added value of gift 
pitchers. The rest were bought, begged 
and might even have been stolen had they 
not come to be possessions legitimately. 
The last is the beautifully shaped pink- 
and-white Mayer piece, with very graceful 
handle and fine coloring and design of 
Chinese junks with a wealth of floral 
representations and urns shaded by cy¬ 
press trees. The border inside and out re¬ 
peats in varied forms the central design, 
and the back of the handle has a charm¬ 
ing arrangement in geometrical markings 
in dark pink, large and small polka dots. 
On the bottom of the piece is printed in 
pink, “T. Mayer, Longport,” with a full 
figured lion rampant, and in a scroll with 
ferns can be seen the name “Canova.” 
In these thirteen treasures, measuring 
from four inches to eight inches in height 
and holding from two gills to two and a 
half quarts, with a great variety of colors, 
designs and decorations (for no two are 
alike), are seen delightful samples of the 
work of the famous Staffordshire potters. 
Christmas for the Birds 
NE of the prettiest Yuletide customs 
is that of the people of Sweden. 
On Christmas morning in passing through 
the country, one sees house after house, 
HOUSE AND GARDEN 
Being kept indoors is not necessarily harmful to the 
Boston fern 
each with a sheaf of wheat hanging at the 
top of a long pole in the door yard. This 
is the Christmas dinner of the birds, for 
the Swede at home would not think of sit¬ 
ting down to his own Christmas festivities 
without first thinking of the little feathered 
folk that are prevented at that time of 
year from gathering their good cheer 
themselves. 
A Greenhouse Substitute 
HE flower lover who wants, but can- 
. not afford, a greenhouse will find 
the following plan just as successful in all 
ways, and more so in some, than an ex¬ 
pensive greenhouse. Take white muslin 
43 
or cloth and stretch over a foundation 
the desired size, so that the muslin covers 
sides and top. Tack securely. Have a 
narrow alleyway through the center and on 
one side have a bench for plants, and on the 
other a bed filled with fine sand and dirt 
in which to start young plants or seeds. 
The plants will grow as well as in a glass 
greenhouse, and when removed out-of- 
doors or in the sitting room will not be 
affected by the change as they would if 
they came from a glass greenhouse. In 
winter put boards on the top, lapped one 
over the other. 
Fern Pointers 
F properly cared for, Boston ferns often 
grow to enormous size, like this one, 
which is five years old, and has always 
been kept indoors near a-, window, as 
shown in the photograph. From tip to tip 
of the fronds is eight feet — that is, from 
top to bottom. The plant has been nour¬ 
ished about twice a week with a weak 
solution of “fish scrap” water — about one 
tablespoonful of scrap to a gallon of 
water. 
In the care of ferns the crowns should 
be kept well above the soil, which should 
be continuously damp, but not sodden. 
The foliage must be kept dry, letting the 
plant drink from the roots. 
Northern light is preferable to southern 
exposure, and be careful not to use very 
cold water for ferns, and do not put tender 
ferns out in the rain. Maidenhair ferns 
will not thrive where there is gas lighting; 
this variety, too, requires special care in 
watering, for if once permitted to dry the 
fronds shrivel quickly. 
A baker's dozen of Old English pitchers, the product of the Staffordshire potters. They include a variety of form, size and color and design of decoration that makes 
them attractive and extremely decorative. No two are alike, yet all are good 
