Annual Meeting at St. Joseph. 175 



that we have done our part in making our homes what they are. 

 " Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own work praise 

 her in the gates."' 



By motion of the secretary, a vote of thanks was tendered to 

 Mrs. Dr. A. Goslin, for her most interesting and instructive paper. 



THE LAWN AND FLOWER GARDEN. 



BY MRS. WADE BURDEN^; SPRINGFIELD, ilO. 



A well kept lawn is "a thing of beauty and joy forever ;" 

 though winter may conceal it with his kindly mantle, yet spring- 

 will again reveal its beauties. And it is within the reach of all in 

 this favored clime, where nature provides such bountiful supply of 

 sod, and where vegetation is so rapid that we have only to stir the 

 soil, scatter the seed and soon the tender blade will appear. Even 

 where the grass must be planted singly by the root, as in some 

 parts of Texas, it spreads so quickly the ground is soon ct)vered, 

 and the once barren spot made beautiful and attractive. Downing 

 recommends a thorough breaking up of the soil to the depth of two 

 feet, for large or small lawn surfaces, but with the help of those 

 modern aids to lawn culture, the hose and lawn-mower, we may 

 have a lawn with any ordinary soil. Common red clay, with a top- 

 dressing of coarse manure jjrepared in the fall, and well worked 

 in the spring makes a good bed. Have your ground in good shape, 

 perfectly smooth and free from stones, then sow your seed with a 

 lavish hand or lay your sod, and a few bright days will bring the 

 desired result. After your lawn is firmly established, keep it in 

 order by frequent mowing ; if the use of lawn mowers by ladies 

 could be made as jDopular as croquet or lawn tennis this would 

 follow ; or. if premiums were offered for the finest lawn, would it 

 not stimulate ambition and be attended with good results ? The 

 most humble home may be made doubly attractive by a lawn of 

 emerald green borders, and beds of ever-blooming flowers ; vines 

 creeping lovingly over the walls add beauty to the scene, and all 

 this may be had in a single summer. We do not have to wait for 

 years to see the result of our labors, but by judicious planting have 

 continued bloom and verdure. 



A good place for the flower garden is between the lawn and 



