that not only saves land for lawns and parks, but will undoubtedly make for greater quiet and less dust in the houses. Playgrounds for children add still further to the open spaces of what is practically a village within the limits of a great city, and these playgrounds are so placed that they are almost invariably within sight of maternal eyes glancing occasionally out of kitchen windows. For in this village there is to be no servant-girl problem. The houses are designed for families in which a man is the bread winner gentleman of advancing years, whose children have married and left them alone in a city house large enough to require two maids to take care of it. The small house, once they had seen it, seemed to them much more attractive-a "temptation A. THE SMALLEST HOUSE to do one's own housework and be really independent. and the woman One of a group of diminutive residences designed for a family The charm and convenience of these In thus planning the life when the man next door looks out of his window. The prospect will usually be over a small park or a large playground or toward a pleasant group of the old trees that have been left standing. The neighbor's house, when you see it, will fit harmoniously into these surroundings. HOUSES OF TAPESTRY BRICK Each house has a pleasant outlook beyond the others. INVENTOR RECHTER IN HIS MOTORLESS AEROPLANE, FLYING ON THE TEMPLEHOF FIELD. BERLIN He has succeeded in rising, the air being perfectly still, from the ground for a short flight. This feat was never achieved before. RECHARGEABLE DRY ADRY battery that can be readily re charged, even when entirely exhausted, has recently been perfected. The construction is similar to that of the wet type of battery, and the method of recharging is the same; but the new invention is said to be entirely free from leakage of fluids, consequently it can be placed in any position desired for use, and is virtually a dry battery in every respect. One of the leading features claimed for it is its ability to stand rough usage without being seriously damaged. This battery can be broken so badly that a person would naturally suppose its elements of power destroyed; but when the pieces are bound together in proper relation, the battery is found to be still active. A number of experiments in this direction have shown batteries apparently demolished but, with the fragments tied together, capable of generating a light, several hours after the breakage. These batteries are also said to possess other features of construction tending to afford them long life in general. The new batteries, which are to be manufactured in all sizes, are said to be adapted to all purposes where. batteries are used, and are guaranteed to operate satisfactorily in all climates. They are pronounced especially well adapted for electric launches, on account of containing no acids or fluids of any kind liable to be spilled in rough weather. This is an especially desirable feature. THE BROKEN PARTS OF THE CELL ARE HELD TOGETHER WITH A ROPE The elements are still active. THE NEW BATTERY IN AN INVERTED POSITION ON THE FLOOR The vents are open but there is no leakage of fluids. STRETCHERS ON HORSES A HORSE litter was designed by Dr. William J. Manning of Washington, for the International Red Cross Exhibition recently held in that city. It is intended especially for use upon battle fields, where it is impossible to utilize stretcher bearers owing to distances involved; it also should prove of great value where ambulances cannot be used on account of the uneven character of rocky or mountainous country. operates a trip under the brake and the net is instantly thrown out four feet ahead of the wheels. The apparatus is easy to operate simultaneously with the brakes, so that the driver, in obeying his first impulse to stop in a moment of danger, can at the same time throw out this protection for the pedestrian. Any object weighing up to two hundred and fifty pounds can be readily picked up in the net. Aside from the saving of life, this device has another advantage which should appeal to the car owner; it protects the lamps and radiator. The frame is of wrought iron and steel, the coil springs are of "music wire," and the webbing is of unusual strength, made specially for the purpose. THE AUTOMOBILE FENDER THE AUTOMOBILE FENDER READY FOR USE TAKING A LIBRARY TO THE PEOPLE IN Washington County, Maryland, a public library has been established for a number of years to serve the rural districts. Out of a population of 50,000 inhabitants about three-quarters live in the country. A specially built bookcase on a wagon travels over the country. Every ten days it calls at the various substations. There are seventy-five of these substations. Country stores, post offices, creameries, and even private residences are used for the purpose. To keep track of the books, alphabetized blank ledgers are sent to the substations. On the first page of each of these ledgers is a list of titles. The custodian makes a record of the circulation by putting the names of borrowers opposite the titles of the books. It is found that this ledger system is less bewildering than one more conformable to regular library methods. If the borrower living in the country desires a particular book not included in the deposit station nearest him, he asks for it at the central library, by post or telephone, and it is mailed to him, charged to his station, with sub-charge in his name and directions that he return it to his station when due. This plan should prove of great value to all communities where direct ac SLEEPING PORCH AND BUSINESS OFFICE DEPOSIT BOOK STATION ON THE VERANDA OF A PRIVATE KESIDENCE HE latest word in sleeping porches comes from Emporia, Kansas. Mrs. F. B. Mauck, owner and manager of a scientifically oper ated sanitary dairy, one mile north of town, has built a large sleeping apartment on top of her new brick milk house. Mrs. Mauck manages and directs the work of her dairy from this lookout during spring and summer. "It is not hard to get up early," said Mrs. Mauck, "when one sleeps out of doors. And I find myself able to cess to a public library is not practical. do a great deal more and better work for living in the open." She has her desk, and its equipment for taking care of her prosperous business, out here in the warmer part of the year. The porch is spacious and accommodates two beds and a typewriter stand. All sides of the porch are equipped with canvas shades to keep out bad SLEEPING PORCH AND BUSINESS OFFICE COMBINED CRUSHED ROCK IS THE MATERIAL WHICH IS NOW DISPLACING HOT AIR" AND PRINTER'S INK ROADS THAT DEFY TIME By FRANK MORSE HE highway engineer of one of the mid-western States was arguing with a "doubting-Thomas" farmer, trying to answer his objections that the necessary materials were not available locally. "Why, man," he declared, "the greatest road-building material in the world. is enthusiasm and we'll be able to find plenty of that around here, once we get fairly started." The farmer looked out over the stretch of gumbo which led from his gate to town, impassable one-third of the year, notwithstanding repeated crusades with the road drag. "The trouble is," he drawled, finally, "most of our good roads are built of hot air and printer's ink." Because they are coming to agree with the doubting-Thomas farmer, those who live in the grain belt, in the upper Mississippi Valley, are finally starting on the long deferred and highly important task of building roads out of something be sides printer's ink, hot air, and even enthusiasm. The era of the permanent road, built by national and state aid, has dawned with results already manifest. Nowhere is the campaign to replace the old dirt road, graded and dragged though it may be, with permanent rock or gravel highways, gaining ground more rapidly than in Minnesota and Wisconsin, the very heart of the grain and dairying section of agricultural America. The people of Minnesota, at the general election last fall, amended their state constitution and provided for a one-mill levy for permanent state roads, the State being given authority to anticipate this levy for the ensuing ten years with a bond issue. The one-mill levy means an annual fund of $1,600,000, so that the amount available for the ten-year period is $16,000,000. With this the State will pay for one-half the work, the traversed counties for one-fourth, and the benefited property for one-fourth, making a total fund of $32,000,000 for permanent roads in Minnesota. This will connect |