ORGANIZATION of the Index To How To Do It Information

The entries in the HTDI Index are arranged in alphabetical order according to subject headings. If an article covers more than one subject, it is repeated under all appropriate subject headings. All of the subject headings used in the HTDI Index are part of a master subject heading list and reflect an attempt to control the subject heading vocabulary and style.

The HTDI Index uses see also (sa) cross references to guide the user from one subject heading to another subject heading where similar or related information may be found.

The HTDI Index uses see cross references to guide the user to a preferred form of the subject heading.

The Web version of the HTDI Index also displays tracings. See tracings are denoted with an “x” and see also tracings are denoted with an “xx”.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The subject headings used since 1990 have been more specific. Review of the 1963-1989 entries to update their subject headings is an ongoing process. Therefore, the HTDI Index user is advised not to ignore the “root” subject heading, even though it may be subdivided into more specific categories.

The subject headings involving plants were an inconsistent mixture of popular names and genus names in earlier indexes. Beginning with the 1990-1999 accumulation, I have relied on Taylor’s Encyclopedia of Gardening to guide me in selecting plant-related subject headings to be used in the Index.

Within each subject heading, entries are in alphabetical order according to magazine title. Within each magazine title, the entries are in chronological order.

The entry statement is usually a brief description of the how-to information being conveyed rather than just the title of the article. Over the years, these descriptions have gotten longer. Articles that do not contain complete plans or instructions may be noted by the use of a limiting phrase. For example, “Photo shows…” or “Tips on…” may indicate incomplete instructions. Projects of unusual difficulty or that require special tools and techniques often have this noted. If an article includes an estimated cost for the project, this is included in the entry.

Each entry is followed by a complete citation consisting of the magazine title, whole issue number, date, volume number and issue number pair (enclosed in parenthesis) and page number where the article begins.

Citations for Added information and/or Corrections which appear in later issues are shown following the original entry.