Evening star., 1948-06-29
Readers Clearing House
STRAWBERRY BARREL,

STRAWBERRY BARREL
From Mrs. C.. E. o., Washington
The May number of House Beau
tiful contains an article on Straw
berry Barrels and Herb Kegs" which
explains in detail the making Of
these interesting additions to the
garden.
LOG HOUSES.
from Mr.. H. J. S., Washington.)
To Mrs. M. B. B., in answer to her
sos in June IA issue:
The architectural profession orig
mated and continues as necessary
part of our civilization to help peo-
pie in the exact position Mrs. M.
B. B. finds herself.
The architect can put on paper
the wants and desires of the client,
so that the client can properly pre-
sent her needs to any builder and
receive from him a firm proposal.
The architect can obtain for the
client preliminary estimates OF her
requirements, so that If her ability
to pay is exceeded it will be unnee-
essary to have detailed plans pre-
pared. The architect cannot control
the prices in the building market
and should not be expected to OBJ
tain for the client building at a
bargain price. The architect does,
however, know which materials and
methods are least expensive and
where such materials can properly
A1 writ, oraof detrimental
effect to the structure.
from Mr.. T. /. c., Washington.J
My wife, regular reader OF your
RCH, has called my attention to
the inquiry of Mrs. M. B. B. OF
Washington regarding log houses.
l would suggest an inquiry in this
connection to be addressed to Page
& Hill Co., real log house division,
Northwestern Bank Building, Min
neapolis, MINI.
If, as I assume, this company is
still in business, they will be able to
furnish information OF interest.
(Fron, Mrs. F. J. K, Washington.)
To Mrs. M. B. B., Washington,
who inquired about rustic houses:
If she will write to the Pioneer Log
Cabin Co., RosoOmmon, Mich, she
can obtain a catalogue of such homes
ranging from one room cabins up to
three and four bedroom houses.
They come with the logs trimmed
down to uniform size and can be
put up by two men very easily.
hope she will be half as enthused
over these homes as was upon
receiving my catalogue.
COMPOST; TREE IN CELLAR?
From Mrs. J. G. T., Takoma Park.)
noticed your inquiry re compost
pile. I am an ardent gardening fan,
and have become interested in "or-
ganic gardening" in which COM
posting is one of the chief pro-
ponents. 1t is my opinion, and that
of others more experienced, that you
do not need to buy activators, but
let nature take her course and prop
erly construct your pile without
them.
First, lay down boards, crisscross,
or brush and branches from trees.
(This is for aeration and drainageo
Then, on top of that put on layers
of green matter Qeaves, grass cut
tings, weeds, etc., garbage, manure,
lime and dirt. Sprinkle water over
the layers and keep moist. Repeat
the layers until you have the pile
several feet high Let lie for sew
eral weeks, then turn; and repeat
this process. Mix in old compost If
you have it. Some buy earthworms
and add to the heap, letting them
do the turning. However, If you cul-
tivate the friendship of what earth
worms you have, perhaps you WILL
not need to buy more.
This is the first time I've written
RICH, but am regular reader. Did
not notice the department at first,
and often think how much missed.
1t is amazing how much informa-
ton one can pick up In this column
and how quickly, for you have only
to scan the titles to see If the var1-
Gus items touch upon something in
which you are interested.
Does any one nave remedy 1or
. damp cellar where tree roots have
come in under the foundation, other
than cutting down the tree? If the
tree is cut down, will the roots have
to be torn out, too? Also does any
one know of mill or other concern
that would take down large tree
for the lumber? Is there an ef1ec-
tive way of killing tree without
cutting it down?