226 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



two feet in breadth. Plantains and other noxious weeds can be killed out 

 by once cutting, about three inches beneath the soil, with a sharp knife. 

 Blue grass is the only thing fit for a lawn ; he did not like white clover, 

 much less red clover. A little over a year ago he was at Hunnewell's. 

 His lawn is the most attractive thing he has. It was in mid-summer, and 

 a man was watering it with profusion, and in this way the lawn is kept 

 fresh. In the same neighborhood there are other large and fine lawns. 

 He proposed in future, late in the fall, to cover his lawn nearly an inch 

 in thickness with compost, broken small, and leave it all winter, and in 

 the spring rake it off. He thought this would prevent winter-killing. 

 As to the flower garden, we should not plant to any extent seeds or 

 annuals. They do not pay. A few only may be recommended. The 

 asters may do well, but they require shade and plentiful watering : they 

 come in the fall when there are few other flowers. He liked also the 

 pinks and the drummond phlox. He did not care about petunias, but if 

 wanted it was better to bed them than sow the seed. Some balsams are 

 very good ; a few of the pansies are beautiful ; the double portulaca is 

 also very good. Of all the garden flowers he would recommend the gera- 

 nium, especially the General Grant, which is one of the best of bedders. 

 It costs little to keep a few such plants, and it is not difficult to propagate 

 a sufficient number for ordinary use. The acaranthus is also a good bed- 

 der, and can be got at a moderate cost ; especially would he recommend 

 the A. Lindenii. The golden coleuses are also fine bedders ; they 

 should be planted in a clump, not scattered. Some design in the way of 

 planting is necessary for beauty. A dwarf variety of the feverfew he 

 would particularly recommend ; some of the dwarf lantanas were also 

 good. He would urge the planting of a group of cannas. They have a 

 tropical character and beauty. Alternantheras are also very desirable. 

 He could not say much for dahlias ; the Tom Green and the Little Her- 

 mon he would, however, recommend. Verbenas he thought as desirable 

 as geraniums; he would not recommend seedlings; the mass of verbenas 

 raised from seed were worthless ; it is best to get the plants. Of lilies 

 the L. Candtdum is the best, and can be raised with a little care ; they 

 bloom in July, and have both beauty and fragrance. Tulips and crocuses 

 may also easily be raised, and they come early ; and especially would he 

 recommend the choicer varieties of the gladiolas. 



Mr. Hunt said he had no lawns and did not think he ever would 

 have. His difficulty was with the ground. He was grateful to find that 

 the dandelion and plantain could be destroyed by once cutting. He had 



