88 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



subject will be briefly treated from both staDdpointgi, but especially 

 from the first, as upon its success depends the future appearance of 

 the whole surroundings. Prof. Bailey aptly suggests (Bulletin 121, 

 Cornell Experiment Station, September, 1896), "that if a landscape is 

 a picture, it mast have a canvas. This canvas is the greensward; 

 upon this the artist paints with tree, and brush, and flower, the same 

 as the painter does upon his canvas with brush and pigments." 

 Furthermore, the bare ground is the rough, unpainted canvas, the 

 greensward, the painted background, which, together with properly 

 arranged ornamentals, forms the picture. Without a proper back- 

 ground the painting would not be effective, neither would a back- 

 ground be attractive without the picture — both are eminently im- 

 portant. 



The first thing to be done in the preparation of an ideal lawn is 

 grading. The mode of operation will depend largely upon the condi- 

 tion of individual places and to some extent upon individual taste. 

 If the area is naturally undulating, it will only be necessary to smooth 

 over the rough portions, but if level a better appearance is often 

 secured by giving a little slope, except in very small lots. If there is 

 too much difference in elevation it should be modified accordingly, 

 the amount depending on the size of the place and natural surround- 

 ings. In either case the area should slope from all sides of the resi- 

 dence to a greater or less distance, merging gradually into the general 

 trend. Abrupt changes should be avoided as much as possible, 

 though terraces are necessary when the location is on a steep side 

 hill, in which case they should be kept near the house or along the 

 side of the lot. In general, the grading should be done in such a way 

 that all surface water will be evenly distributed, so as not to form 

 numerous runs which may cause miniature washouts. 



It is unncQessary to speak of drainage, as this is only required in 

 places where water is liable to stand a portion of the year. 



Preparation of the ground, however, is supremely important. If 

 the soil is poor, it should be thoroughly enriched by a liberal appli- 

 cation of well rotted manure, bone meal, wood ashes, or other good 

 fertilizer. 



The use of manure is attended with considerable danger of bring- 

 ing in foul seed ; otherwise it is one of the best fertilizers. The ground 

 should be plowed or spaded not less than eight inches deep, removing 

 all stones and other like material, and the surface made as smooth as 

 possible. All is now ready for seeding. 



One of the best mixtures for a lawn is four parts Kentucky blue 

 grass (Poa pratensis), with one part of white clover (Trifoliu?)i repens)^ 



