440 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



AUTUMN MAKING OF LAWNS. 



'"'Can I gain anything by sowing grass seed, for a lawn, in the Aiituum? If 

 so, state the best time." Thus Avritcs a gentleman who feels disa})iiointed 

 because he did not get ready to make a lawn in the spring, and Avho hardly felt 

 satisfied at the advice we gave, not to attempt to sow grass seed, for a lawn, late 

 in ]\Iav. Grass seed needs moisture, and will hardly germinate in hot, dry 

 weather, while the weeds will get such a start over the slow-growing grass seed, 

 that even that which germinates will be choked. Our soils are thickly seeded 

 with coarse, hardy Aveeds, and we must give the grass seed a good chance and a 

 fair start, or they will lose the game. AVe have known some people get the 

 land designed for a lawn raked off nicely before they obtain grass seed, causing 

 a delay o: several days, and during all this time the weeds were getting a good 

 start. One of the quickest and best lawns we have ever known made, was on 

 the estate of Thomas Leighton, of this city. The grass seed was sown about 

 the lirst of September, and made a good fall growth. A light dressing of well 

 rotted manure Avas thrown over for a winter protection, and by the middle of 

 the next May the grass was as nearly perfect as could be desired. On account 

 of the occupation of the ground we were unable to sow grass on Avhat we 

 designed for a lawn until November of last year, but thought we would try it. 

 AVinter set in very early. The heavy snow of winter and the spring rains made 

 a naturally tenacious soil "too hard for anything," we thought, and we hardly 

 knew whether it was best to plow the whole up and sow again, or wait and run 

 the risk of losing the spring time for .^owing. The weather had been exceed- 

 ingly dry, but just as we were about to break up the hard soil and sow again, a 

 two days' rain gladdened our hearts, the grass started up thick and strong, and 

 our lawn Avill be pretty good. Still, Ave Avould not recommend late sowing. 

 The seed should be sown early enough to make a good growth and become well 

 rooted before heavy frosts. Four bushels of seed to the acre for a heav}-, quick 

 sod. — Vicl:'i< Guide. 



ADOENMENT. 



"It was one of those pretty houses, surrounded by shrubbery and flowers, 

 about Avhicli almost every parser remarked, 'Oh! how I should like to live in 

 that pretty liousc I '" " Such is the description of a house avc have in our mind's 

 eye, and it could be true of almost every farm-house in the land, did the occu- 

 pants only will it so. A few flowers, a little grass, and a few shrubs, all avcU 

 cared for at a trifling expense of money or labor, and the thing is done. A 

 little care each day Avould keep everything neat and in order, and a little thought 

 each Aveek Avould regulate that care to the best advantage. We do not live in 

 this Avorld for ourselves alone; but for the Avhole Avorld. Upon this principle, 

 Ave know a Avonian Avho always keeps a light in tlie front rooms of her house 

 every Avinter night because, as she says, " We not only have the Avarni glow of it 

 ourselves, but to every passer-by it gives out a cheerful message Avhich produces 

 in his imagination a picture of comfort and happiness Avithin." So it is Avith 

 the adornments around the house. They not only give enjoyment to their pos- 

 sessors, but to everyone Avho passes they send a message of thrift, refinement, 



