SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 485 



stiff and ugly. The walks are all straight, the flower-beds planted with the 

 utmost accuracy may contain real treasures, but the blossoms hardly dare bend 

 where wind blows, and even the pansies never dream of looking jolly and full 

 of fun. We have not seen a face yet we know. How cold and formal is every 

 member of that family. 



Many sumptuous residences impress one in something the same way that a 

 rare gem would, if set in lead, the surroundings so entirely lack harmony with 

 the style of architecture. 



Then again you pass dainty homes, homes where carefully trained vines 

 clamber over the piazzas and porches, where winding walks tempt you to enter 

 and enjoy their graceful curves, where sweet peas and eglantine roses look 

 happy and contented. Exquisite taste is manifested in the arrangement of 

 buds and shrubs, and we feel sure intelligence, peace and beauty reign within 

 the closed doors. Rules may be given, plans drawn, rare plants selected, but 

 good taste must be used to secure tine effect. 



THE LAWN. 



Fall Seeding. — The editor of Our Country Home writes: 



We have had excellent success in securing a good seeding to grass by sowing 

 the seed on well-prepared soil early in September. At this season we secured 

 conditions which we rarely have in spring, viz. : a moist surface soil, and a very 

 slow growth of weeds. The surface soil rarely becomes sufficiently dry to 

 destroy germinating seeds after the middle of September, and it is well known 

 that weeds grow very little after this time. Young grass, however, will con- 

 tinue to grow until late in autumn. Two secrets of success in securing a fine 

 turf are, good soil that contains plenty of humus, and thick seeding. A mix- 

 ture of various species is often recommended, but upon our own grass-plats, 

 nothing compares with Kentucky blue grass, Poa pratensis, for making a fine, 

 compact turf and a beautiful lawn. 



Six Requisites. — John J. Thomas says that without a careful observance of 

 every one of the following requisites, you will be likely to fail in securing 

 a good lawn, and with every one you will be sure to succeed : 1. Thorough 

 and regular under drainage. 2. A deep and uniformly rich soil, for maintain- 

 ing greenness in times of drouth. 3. A finely pulverized and even surface for 

 the reception of the seed, which should be rolled or brushed in. 4. Sowing 

 early in spring, or when a good strong growth can be secured. 5. Sowing any 

 fine compact grass, as June or Kentucky blue grass, red-top, white clover, etc., 

 at least four or five times as thick as farmers sow for meadows and pastures. 

 6. Passing the lawn mower over the grass when it becomes fairly established, 

 as often as once a week during the growing season. 



Fertilizing the Lawn. — In cities it is very customary for people owning 

 small pieces of grass to cover the whole area in lafe autumn or early winter 

 with a heavy covering of stable manure. It makes no difference if the grass 

 extends on every side of the house, and if the manure has the vilest appearance 

 and odor imaginable, the lawn must be manured, and this is the way to do it. 



