THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 143 



to terrace the lawn next to the street so as to prevent washing away during storms. This 

 arrangement makes it difficult to run the lawn mower well as it is essential to mow the grass 

 often to get a good lawn and keep it so, the condition should have consideration and if 

 convenient to overcome such a course would be wise. It was suggested that if the slope 

 be extended more, terracing can often be done away with. In the opinion of Prof. Taft 

 blue grass generally gives better satisfaction under ordinary circumstances than mixed 

 grasses as the latter are quite apt to contain noxious seeds and grow unevenly. Prepare 

 the ground thoroughly and clear it of all obstacles, stones, sticks, roots, etc. Do not allow 

 the grass to become too large as in cutting the excessive growth will need to be removed, 

 which will lessen the fertility of the lawn or if left to remain on the ground will smother 

 the roots. 



Where the front yard is small the shade tree should not be placed between the house 

 and the road or street but should at least be as far back as the line of the house. Use 

 hardy perennials for decorating. Allow the vines to run over the porch and its supports 

 and the walls of the house. Border plants are used along the edges of the lawn. If it 

 is desired to cut the lot off from a neighbor's or to cover the back yard from public view 

 it can be accomplished with the border plants. Some of the plants mentioned were the 

 hardy phlox, Japanese barberry, which was recommejided for hedge planting as it is beautiful 

 healthful and free of insects, and hydrangia. This last plant makes a good shrub when 

 a,llowed to grow unhampered, but if one desires to produce large flowers it is necessary 

 to feed it well and head it heavily so as to force the food from the roots into a few vigorous 

 shoots. One should avoid shrubs that are subject to attack by the San Jose scale. The 

 hardy perennials require but little care. 



In vising bedding plants do not make the mistakes of so many ii>breaking up the lawn 

 with flower beds. Place them along the borders where they will harmonize the house 

 or shrubbery with the lawn and where the lawn mower will not be bothered by them. 

 Prof. Taft closed his interesting address by recommending the use of window boxes, which 

 are made attractive during their season and when not in use can be removed and put away 

 out of sight. 



The subject was thrown open for discussion, whereupon Mr. Graley, of Oakland county, 

 described his lawn and flower garden and methods of caring for the same. His grounds 

 are so planned that a great deal of the work can be done with a horse; for example, his 

 flower garden is so situated that he can cultivate it when the garden crops are worked. 

 Then, too, his plan of having a certain time of each week to care for this part of the farm 

 is one that should be recommended to all who desire to get the best out of the plantings 

 about the farm buildings. He does this work each Saturday afternoon. 



DEAD LEAVES OR GROWING GRAIN. 

 (e. l. keasey, south haven.) 



This life is a lease that is given us mortals. 



To test us as tenants upon God's great farm. 

 We move through our term — pass from portal to portal^ 



And at death leave our records of worth or of harm. 

 Yes, we pass" down the furrows of Michigan's acres, 



Producing her harvests, and binding her sheaves, 

 While others hang back; and as loafers or fakirs. 



Leave naught to the world but a bunch of dead leaves. 



The fences and ditches along life's great highway 



Are choked with the waste from the wood and the field. 

 And the dead leaves that flutter cross your way, and my way, 



Are teachers of nature; a lesson revealed. 

 They are remnants of greatness — a past, robed in splendor. 



But, in death, idly tossed by each hurrying breeze; 

 Yet, in passing us by, this thought they engender, 



That they once were a part of our beautiful trees. 



Let's compare this grand thought to the slothful ones round us. 



To those men who're as dead as the leaves in their path. 

 They are blocks to all progress — and often confound us — 



AJad are seldom remembered in life's aftermath. 



