The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • 34

SECTION TWO THE ENQUIRER, CINCINNATI, SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 1938 House Humidity Has Drawback HOME GARDEN NEWS through ceilings in the same way, materials at the end of 1937 stood at 95, as compared to 1C0 in 1926. Index prices of steel windows at the end of last year had recovered to but 90, however, as compared to 100 in 1926. HOME OWNER Warned By Architect Boxwood Used For Edging terial were selected for various wall surfaces. When the bids came in the prices were higher than for plastering, on which we took an alternate bid. We thought we were going to save money.

What is the answer? A. There isn't any satisfactory answer. If a contractor is allowed to do a hurry-up job of fitting these wall boards together and making them work out around windows, doors, and corners as they come, The Garden Clinic. Victor H. Ries, Extension Floriculturist, Ohio State University.

of appearing without leaves; the leaves come in early spring to disappear in summer. These hardy bulbs are so kindly adjusting themselves to any soil condition and multiplying rapidly so that a few bulbs will soon supply you bountifully. When you wish to divide them, take one clump at a time, as they are slow in readjusting themselves after transplanting. In this way, you will not be denied the pleasures of blossoming time any one year. While enjoying these autumn blooming bulbs, let us think of the future and select now lilies and other spring and summer flowering bulbs.

Lilium candidum or Madonna lily must get in th ground early, and Lilium longiflorum, the Creole Easter lily. The latter is a hardier form of Easter lily, though not blooming in time for Easter in the middle states unless forced. Other kinds of lilies can be planted later in the fall, and a good many can wait until spring to be put in, although fall is the preferred time. At present we have to think of Hyacinths and Narcissi, the various ill nmilHHiliiianTiiiiiiiiioirii trlT 111 1 Tliajf ill Buxus semperviiens suffruticosa is used to edge a rose border on' either side of this flagstone walk. This is the variety of box generally used for edging purposes; it is slow growing and amenable to hard trimming.

Cut Flowers Often "Canned" For Preserving Of Freshness CANNED FLOWERS BY R. E. BILKS. BOTANISTS of the Iowa State College are said to be responsible for the idea of "canning" cut flowers to preserve their freshness. The process is simplicity itself, but the instructions must be carefully followed.

When cut fer "canning" flowers are handled differently from when gathered for immediate decoration. The physical condition and degree of maturity has a great deal to do with success. Use only flowers just opened or on the verge of opening. They must be plump and fresh, but free from water on the surface. To accomplish this, the instructions call for a thorough watering on the evening before a sunny day.

The evening watering gives the plant a chance to freshen the flowers overnight, while the sun of the following day permits them to dry off enough to prevent molding after enclosure. Cut the blooms short enough to fit into ordinary fruit jars. Place these in a refrigerator at a temperature of about 35 degrees. Carnations, roses, larkspur and gardenias will keep for a month or more, and when taken olt to be placed in water will last about as long as if fresh cut. Regal and Madonna lilies will keep only a few days, but Tiger lilies will keep for weeks.

Snap-dragons sweet-peas, and French marigolds are among the most perishable of flowers, but will look well after two or three weeks. There are also many "tricks" to handling flowers which ate to be used for immediate display. To make them last, cut them in the early morning or late evening. Plants are most filled with sap at that time and can best stand the shock of transfer. Cut flowers wilt because the water in them evaporates faster than it can be absorbed through the cut stem.

They will profit if they are plunged into water as they are gathered rather than to keep- them until ready for arrangement. Most flowers fade immediately after pollination. It Is best to cut them just as they begin to mature and, where possible, remove the stamens to prevent pollination. This is quite easy with such flow-trs as lilies, amaryllis, etc. Cut gladiolus as the first bud opens-peonies as the outer petals develop roses in the soft bud dahlias in full bloom after sundown poppies CURTAINS AND DRAPES.

To keep curtains and draperies clean and free from blowing, the metal window industry has developed a style of casement in which the ventilator or movable section in the center is bordered by stationary lights at the sides and top. The ventilator, when open, permits plenty of air to circulate but curtains and drapes remain undisturbed, being protected completely by the stationary sections of the window. ENGLISH HOUSES. In England the use of casement windows is quite popular. Used in approximately 50 per cent of the home and residential construction, this type of window is usually made of steel.

Two reasons contribute to the use of metal; the fact that steel is a home product, and the fact that lumber generally is impouted. LEAKY ROOF? Ke-roof with new "Double-Lock" COPPER ROOF Fireproof Imw Tout Lifetime guarantee Write or phone for entlmate. COPPER ROOFS CO. 35 E. Seventh St.

Kroger Rldf. MAIn 11)7. INSULATION PROPERLY INSTALLED IN NEW AND OLD BUILDINGS Insulation Specialists 42 Years 222 East 14th St. CHerrv 7435 Termites? Look out for these home destroyers. Phone us for Free Expert Inspection OVER 500,000 proprrty owners nave naea TtHMlMX service.

Each contract li guaranteed by E. L. Bruce Co. largett maker hardwood flooring doubly In-eured by world' oldest Inaur-ance Co. resources oer 40 MILLION DOLLARS.

Be Safe With BRUCE TERMINIX 10 Years Tested and Proven TERMINIX CO. World's Largest Termite Specialists Phone MAin 6757 SECTIONAL CABINETS Will Fit Any Kitchen Free Planning Service Come in see this wonderful new equipment and many other styles of modern kitchens. HOME OWNERS Specify HOOSIER E. BEDIHGER Cincinnati Representative 317 E. Fourth St.

CH 480 REAL ESTATE LOANS on First Mortgages covering residential property. Apply at Real Estate Depart-. ment, Main Office, Fourth and Walnut Streets, or at any of the nineteen branch offices. No Commission charged FifthThird DniomTrustv m0 MO0SIER 1 ttl tulips and smaller bulbs generally used in rock gardens. This cata logues are handy, descriptions and pictures enticing.

We can choose from the long lists given according to what our garden space and conditions of our pocketbooks will allow, feeling assured that what we choose will give its full share of thrill in the spring and summer to come. I must confine myself to mentioning a few of the less often seen bulbs, as that is all I have space for here. The Spanish, English, and Dutch type of bulbous Iris are hardy and some of the rarer species, as Reticulata and the Stylosa, which has a root instead of a bulb, will bloom without too much expert care. The botanical tulips, lively and early-blooming, will add to the interest and beauty of the arly spring months; Tulipa Kaufman-niana, T. Clusiana, T.

Persica, T. Sylvestris are some of the better known ones, but there is a long list and all of of them are intriguing. Then the miniature daffodils, minimus, Bulbocodiums, Cyclani-neaus, Hoop-petticoat, and the sweet-smelling real Jonquils all must be remembered. The blue Chionodoxias and Scilla, and the early snowdrop, Galanthus Nivalis, and Nivalis flora plena, the double variety. Plant among them funny dried up roots of Saint Brigid and Poppy Anemones and the winter Aconite.

CONTROL DISEASE In Plants Bordeaux Mixture Formula Is Given. Bordeaux mixture is the copper spray most commonly used for con trolling plant diseases. It is made by combining copper sulfate with hydrated lime. Air-slaked lime cannot be used since it does not unite with the copper sulfate and serious burning will result from its use. A good general purpose formula for Bordeaux mixture is two pounds of blucstone and three pounds of hydrated lime to 50 gallons of water.

For five gallons of Bordeaux, three ounces of bluestone and five ounces of hydrated lime are used. The blucstone is mixed with half the water and the hydrated lime with the other half, then the two are poured together. The mixture sould be used within half an hour after making. Bordeaux mixture is used in spraying grapes, strawberries, most ornamental plants, and vegetable crops when a fungicide is needed. Garden Clubs.

PRICE HILL. The Price Hill Garden Club will meet tomorrow at the home of Mrs. E. J. Howard, 3111 West Eighth Street.

Mrs. Frank Schneider will talk on "Color in the Garden." "Adventures with Bulbs" will be the topic of Mrs. J. A. Wollenhaupt's talk.

LOSANTIVILLE. The Losantivllle Garden Club will meet at the Pleasant Ridge Library at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. After a short business meeting, Mrs. Roy Carter will give a brief talk on "What To Do in Your Garden During the Month of August." Following this talk, the members will visit the garden of Lewis Kuertz on Snyder Road. Members are requested to be prompt at this meeting.

without being required to make fine joint between the units, without necessity of spacing the units so that the wall spaces will be bal anced, he may be able to save some money. But if he has to do the kind of job he ought to do for this kind of work, the labor involved appears to off-set apparent savings in material. It is generally true that the common methods of construction are cheaper, because others usually require more special workmanship. GOVERNMENT LOAN. Q.

I would like to make application to the government for a loan to a house. What do I have to do? A. The government is not lending money for the building of individual houses. However, there is a government unit known as the Federal Housing Administration which insures loans made by reputable financing institutions for houses that are built for individuals. Representatives of the FHA are to be found in every large city.

The complete program can be learned by consulting their offices. HUMIDITY. We have a new house with a high-grade humidifier in connection with the furnace. Last winter it got somewhat out of hand, soaked the wallpaper so that it came loose, They said we had "over-humidified." How can we control this feature? A. Install a humidistat.

This is a mechanism which can be set at any convenient point in the house and which is electrically Connected to the humidifier to shut it off at any pre-determincd relative hu midity. To be on the safe side, we aavise mar. as per cent relative humidity is high enough and that the indicator be set below this level in very cold weather. Shut it down whenever there is evidence of heavy condensation in windows. (Copyright, 1038, Th Architticti' Small Houm Service Bureau, Inc.) Screens Are Designed For Casement Windows When manufacturers began pro ducing steel casement windows, no provision for attaching screens was made.

It was soon observed, however, that users were having difficulty In efforts to screen their houses. Manufacturers thereupon came to the conclusion that special screens forming integral parts of the win dow unit would have to be developed. This step was necessary for several reasons: First, the casement, opening outwards, meant screens would have to be on the inside of the window. Second, screens had to be so arranged that the window would open easily and with out inconvenience. Third, because the frame of the window was metal, special methods of attaching screens would have to be developed, No time was lost in tackling these problems.

Screens were soon produced that fit and are easily attached to the Inside of the window. In gome instances the casement ventilator opens and shuts by means of special attachments which make It unnecessary to touch the screen. In others a portion of this screen slides easily to one side so that the window may be opened without inconvenience. If, for any reason, it is desired to remove the screens completely, this may be done without trouble. Roll-up screens may also be used.

Today all steel casement windows are supplied with screens of corrosion resisting wire cloth, generally copper or bronze. SETTING STEEL WINDOWS. When setting steel windows they should be imbedded in mastic cement. This practice provides a permanent waterproof seal Between the window unit and the surrounding masonry, or framework. It also prevents deterioration that may result from an accumulation of moisture and freezing.

OVERHEAD GARAGE DOORS. Garage doors sliding upward in fixed grooves may be found more desirable In colder climates where show is apt to Interfere with opening the conventional type of door. Upward sliding doors counterbalanced so that they open at the least effort, are designed with an eye to winter convenience. BUILDING MATERIAL COST. Figures supplied by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics show that index prices of building Mr.

Realtor Says: An OLD house is an OLD house and various ADDITIONS and SUBTRACTIONS won't MAKE It a NEW house. By Rudolph N. Maxwell. Copyright, 1937. first creat frost, afterward melt, and finally, to your horror, drip on the plaster.

But not, again, if the job is well done. In the first place every one of these highly efficient humidi fiers should be complete with a humidistat, an instrument, set con veniently on some wall in the first story, that can be adjusted to changing outside temperatures. It should be turned down in advance of oncoming cold weather. WARNING IS ISSUED. One reads weather reports for that.

Furthermore, a warning! If some humidity is good, it does not follow that more is better. This thing can be overdone. A relative humidity of 35 per cent is enough. House structure will not stand much more than that. Be on the safe side under 35.

In the second place is this dam building business. (Equally true however spelled.) A membrane to hold the water vapor in the house. We call it a "vapor seal." The theory about it is new, growing out of the recent movement to humidify our houses. Practically any strong permanently waterproof paper will do the trick. It can be placed under the plaster or it can be part of the insulating layer, but it' must be durable and proof against vapor penetration, its joints must be sealed against leakage.

Seme of the university testing materials laboratories have interesting reports on this new construction. Insulating material manufacturers know about it, some make special materials for the purpose. (Copyright, 1M8, The Archltoctg Smnll Hpvm Nerrlre Bureau, Jnc.) HI 'ORDERS' Tour home-building and repair questions will oe answered with-out cost to you. Write your question in ieta.il, submitting sketch when necessary, enclose a self-addressed, three-cent stamped envelope and mail it to the Home Building Kditor of The Inquirer. TIME TO BUILD.

Q. Is this a good time to build? Are prices for labor and materials going to be lower this fall? A. It is commonly believed that costs of construction are not likely to be less. We believe they will not be. There may be some slight difference, but there is nothing in the present situation that seems to sug-guest that anything much would be gained by waiting.

We think that people who are ready to build their houses now should go ahead and do it PLASTER. Q. We had a house designed for us by an architect following our wishes. No plastering was to be used, but instead various kinds of wallboards and large sheets of ma- THREE ROOMS closet; also opening from this hall, is equipped with five deep shelves. The house is a convenient one for a couple, young or old.

Construction: Wood frame, exterior finish siding or shingles, shingle roof. Features of the exterior design 3-A-8: Low walls, hip roof with overhanging cornice, small front parch trellis trimmed, windows in broad groups, several with window boxes. Features of the interior: Long living room with colonial fireplace, glazed porch at rear accessible from kitchen and living room, service entry at side with stairs to basement, adjoining kitchen, full basement, bedroom at front, linen closet, coat closet, bath opening from hall, scuttle in hall ceiling opening to attic storage space. Detailed building documents for the houses shown in this series may be obtained at moderate cost through the Home Building Editor of The Enquirer. Please make all inquiry by mail, inclosing self-addressed, stamped envelope for reply.

Be sure to mention plan number. Home building questions will be answered without charge. Write to the Home Building Editor of this paper inclosing self-addressed envelope with three-cent stamp. (Copyright, 1038, Thu ArrhMrt' Small ilouH Servlca Bureau, To Hold Minimum Below 35 Per Cent Mark. Possible Damages To Structure, Including Both Walls And Ceilings Are Cited.

BY ROBERT T. JONES. For better or worse, we humidify our houses. What the effect of this may be on health can be answered by others. There is testimony a plenty that houses are more comfortable in winter when there is some moisture in the air.

People say that heating costs are lower because lower temperatures are en durable, but engineers dispute this. Let that go as unimportant. As an architect I can say that houses behave better with winter humidification. Floor boards stay tight. Window sash margins lose less heat.

Furniture hangs to gether somewhat longer. Fewer plaster cracks appear. These are matters of common knowledge. But just a minute! These are all on the benefit side. Let us look at the other side of the picture.

The other side is not so inviting. It includes frosted glass panes, loose wallpaper, peeling paint, frost in attic succeeded by dripping ceilings. But not always. Not at all, if the job is well done. GOOD JOB MAIN POINT.

Doing a good job involves building walls and ceilings like dams. They have to be built to hold this humid air in the house, away from any surfaces that would chill it and which thus would squeeze the moisture out of it. Think what that means. Double glazing as a matter of course, otherwise condensation that runs off glass to window sill to wallpaper. But far more important than this is the only recently recognized truth that the vapor in house air is a pressure that will go through any material not waterproofed.

It will go through most wallpapers, most plasters, most insulating materials, through any cracks that exist in wall construction. And when it gets through these warm materials, it will condense out on the first cold one it meets. It may go through paper, plaster, and insulation and frost up the inside surfaces of sheathing. If it does that, it may dampen the insulation and reduce its efficiency. Or it may condense out on inside surfaces of side wall boarding, saturate the boards, and presto! The paint peels off.

It will go COTTAGE HAS Moderate over-all dimensions keep construction costs to a minimum for the accommodations offered by this design, as does the square, compact plan without expensive offsets. The most decorative feature, and one which, at small cost, adds in-terest and charm to the exterior, is the trellis work at either side of the front porch and flanking the broad group of windows at the left side of the house. If desired, the entrance porch may be glazed in to serve as a vestibule. The living room is ''a pleasant, homelike room, brightly by a broad group of windows. The fireplace at one end is of colonial design.

The porch beyond is glazed for year around use, and may be equipped as dining space, study, sewing room, or for occasional overnight guests. The kitchen is a generous room, nearly square, and although there are three doors they are concentrated at one end so that working space and equipment may be arranged around three sides of the room. There is a full basement, large enough to Include a game room, although this feature is not Indicated on the working drawings. 1 Bedroom and bath form a suite by themselves, set off from the living room by the small hall which givps a measure of prlvady to both portions of the house. The lineu S- Hie following qnmtlnns are thou which hit vr bn ankerf Mr.

Kirn In the la.t week, either by mail, by telephone, or personally. Yml. too. ran have your questions answered by writing to this newspaper or direct to Mr. Rlee, Ohio Slot Inlverslty, Columbus, Ohio.

Q. My neighbor just cut the tops eff her Iris and I am wondering if you recommend that I do the came? A. Unless your Iris are severely Infected with leaf pot, I see no reason whatever for cutting the tops back unless you ate dividing and transplanting them. Surely the tops are far more decorative growing on the plants than the cutback foliage. Q.

I have a number of old peonies, 10 or 15 years old, and would like to know whether you would recommend that I divide and transplant them or not? A. As long as your peonies are growing well, blooming regularly, unless you desire additional plants there is no reason whatever for disturbing them. You will find that peonies will often grow and bloom well even if they have been in the ground 15, 20 or 25 years. I have seen several plants still perfectly satisfactory and one had been in 80 years, the other 75 years. You will not, of course, get specimen flowers for exhibition purposes from these old plants, but from the standpoint of garden effect they will still be perfectly satisfactory.

Q. There are several small spots in my lawn that are turning black. It seems to be a sort of mold-like growth on the surface of the leaves. A. This fungus growth is quite common on lawns this summer.

According to our lawn expert here at the university there is nothing to worry about nor is there anything that can be done to check its development. There is a rather steep bank in front of our home which we would like to plant with some very hardy, vigorous plant, preferably thorny, since the school children from a neighboring school are continually running up and down the bank. Would you suggest that we dig up the grass before planting? A. I believe the best vine for your purpose would be the Memorial Rose, Rose wichuraiana, which is rather vigorous growing, almost evergreen foliage, with small white flowers. Another rose that would be equally satisfactory is Rosa rugosa, Max Craf, which is a trailing type of the rugosa rose.

If the bank is not too steep I believe you will have better results if you spade up the sod before planting. Even if it is steep you can keep it from washing by mulching with ''Before 'applying the straw, however, it might be well to fertilize it with a complete commercial fertilizer with an analysis of 4-12-4, using 3 or 4 pounds per 100 feet of bank surface. It would be well to spade this in with the sod to get it thoroughly incorporated with the oil. Q. My Oriental Poppies, which I just planted this spring, have died down and almost completely disappeared.

Can you tell me What is wrong with them? A. It is perfectly normal and natural for your Oriental Poppies to die down at this time of the year. In fact, this gives us a clue to handling them, for now is the ideal time to plant or transplant them. Q. What evergreen would you recommend that I plant on the north side of my house? I have about 10 feet of space between the house and sidewalk which is not only shaded by the house but also by a large maple tree.

I have tried a number of shrubs but find it is impossible to make anything grow. A. If you cannot succeed with Shrubs, I certainly would not recommend that you try evergreens, since evergreens, although they may grow wild in very dry and shaded places, are very difficult to establish in such places around i our homes. If you do not have the drj'ing effect of the maple tree roots, you would find that such evergreens as the hemlocks, Japanese yew, Mahonia, and evergreen bittersweet would be very satisfactory, but under your conditions I would recommend that you try, for the lower growing shrubs, Regal privet, Alpine currant, Chenault coralberry, and fragrant Sumac. For the taller shrubs, Five-leaf Alalia, flowering currant, Ibota privet, and Morrow honeysuckle.

These are among the toughest Shrubs which will withstand both shade and dryness. I recommend that you plant them this fall and if you have not had adequate rain 1n your vicinity water them well every two or three weeks until the ground is moistened adequately by normal rainfall. Q. We are landscaping our yard and would like to have a pool. Would it be satisfactory to put it in the back corner under a maple tree where we are having difficulty making grass grow? A.

Although the pool might work In nicely In such a place as you describe, I am afraid you would be disappointed if you wished to grow water lilies, since they bloom only in full sun; Why not try to do as I have suggested in the question above use a grass substi tute for this location? PLANT NOW Beautiful treed, shrubs, evergreens, perennials; and rotten will greatly enhance the appearance of your property and may be enjoyed this season If the planting Is done now. SPRAYING May we give you an estimate on the spraying and maintenance of your SHADE TREES? Mnln Offlra 44IKI Reading Rd. Nuraerlen; Montgomery Knad In Kenwood, l4 Miles Mlvertnn LtlSKD ON RINDAV. Water will tfie evenina before. Cut in the afternoon of a sunny day The refrigerator ftydrator will keep Them a long time.

An ordinary fruit jar in the refrigerator will keep some ktrtas a month or more. the night before and allow them to open in the water. A few drops of gelatine on the stems of Orientals help seal them. Most plants should have a slanting cut to expose a larger absorbing surface and to avoid seaaling them by resting on the bottom of the vase. Woody stems (shrubs, peonies, etc.) should have the ends slit or a little of the bark peeled away.

Chrysanthemum stems do best when slightly battered, but the stems of plants which exude a sticky or milky sap after cutting Oriental poppies, heliotrope, poinsettias) must be sealed in some manner such as searing them with the flame of a match or dipping the tips in boiling water. (CopyriRht, '38, The Book Garden Magic) you procure some bulbs of it this fall. The little golden yellow Stern bergia will show up thia rrfSnth in the same amazing fashion; a bare border and suddenly the crocus like blossoms are pushing up under your feet. In your rock garden or some other selected spot you can have Colchicums and the real fall crocus, in white and lavenders. All have the same wraith-like quality "A Gardener's Calendar i i BEDROOM By Lena Logan Forsyth.

BY LENA LOGAN FORSYTH. HOW thrilling to walk in your garden on an August morn ing and find there a lav ender-pink ghost lily to greet you! It is like the unexpected arrival of a long awaited friend, and hence doubly welcome. This is the sur prise that the Amaryllis Halli, or Lyoris squamigera, will give you if 'if ff ft Mr. Home Owner Free Survey! Do you know that by installing the only 100 automatic stoker in your furnace, you will eliminate hard work, and at the same lime, cut the cost of your heating bill. For complete survey without any cost or obligation, call Mr.

Locke at MA 1998. A. Chase, for 20 years. Ben Gidney is the lessor. Fred Weiland was the attorney.

The theater will seat 662 persons. The front of the structure will be of neutral buff tile block with black tile trim. One store will be at the right of the Construction of the Avon Theater, northeast corner of Union Street and Reading Road, Avondale, will start within a few weeks, according to Irwin Freeman, real estate broker. Freeman leased the property to the Avon Amusement Enterprises, headed by Maurice 1.