pounds ten sliillinf!:s, and, up to twcntj-fivc inches wide, for nine pounds, to be 

 drawn by a donkey or i>ony, wo are not disposed to quarrel with those who use 

 the scythe, because it is the pride of some men, and no small merit, to mow clean 

 enough to show no mark of the instrument. A sprinkling of wood ashes is of 

 great service in preventing the growth of moss, and encouraging the growth of 

 the finer grasses, which contribute to the beauty of the lawn. In the season when 

 grass grows rapidly, the lawn should never go more than a week without mow- 

 ing, and now comes machine versus scythe. The former can be used when the grass 

 is dry, the latter only when it is damp or wet ; the former can be used all day in 

 hot weather, and w^e know that the latter can only be used an hour or two in the 

 morning; the former collects the grass as it is cut, the latter leaves it on the ground, 

 and it is of the highest importance that it be removed immediately, for, if it re- 

 mains, it discolors and injures the grass ; the machine can be used when only half 

 an inch of grass has to be cut ; the scythe can hardly make an impression until the 

 lawn has got rough ; in the one case, it is scarcely free of the marks before it is 

 wanting another cutting ; in the other case, the lawn is always alike, because the 

 machine leaves no marks, and may run over it in a short time, as often as we 

 please. If the grass is apt to get brown during the hottest weather, anticipate 

 the change in time, and water it with diluted ammoniacal liquor or liquid manure, 

 but be prepared to cut it soon, after, for the growth will be rapid. In any extent 

 of lawn a water cart is the best, but next to that a garden engine, for it must 

 be wetted all over, and hand-watering is too laborious. It may be observed that 

 all this involves too much trouble, and requires too much labor, but you have the 

 choice of evils, either the lawu must get brown, or you must incur the cost of 

 keeping it green. This is, however, an extreme case, and not one place in a 

 hundred, if it be properly drained, will require it. Most of the lawns which burn 

 in summer are too near the clay or gravel, for they both have the same efl'ect. 

 A good spit of earth between the grass and either of them, will generally keep 

 green, but not always. If clay, the only cure is draining. If gravel, you must 

 use liquid manure, or ammoniacal water — which has the same effect — to preserve 

 the grass in color and health. The edges of the lawn must be clipped close to 

 the proper outline, until it spreads unequally, when the edging-knife must be 

 resorted to. 



[The above, from the Midland Florist (England), applies with equal force to 

 this country, and to the use of Swift's Lawn Mower. — Ed.] 



HINTS FOR YOUNG GARDENERS. 



FROM THE FRATJEXDORFER BLATTER. 



Cultivate nothing carelessly. Whatever is worth cultivating at all, is worth 

 cultivating diligently and w'ell. 



Many kinds of garden seeds lose their germinating power when more than a 

 year old. Therefore, be careful to sow fresh seed whenever practicable. 



But melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, and members generally of this family, arc 

 an exception to this rule. The seeds of these should not be sown till after they 

 are several years old. Plants from old seeds produce less foliage, and more fruit. 

 [Doubtful, -Ed.^ 



The seeds of most kinds of weeds retain their germinating power for an almost 

 indefinite period. Hence, weeds should always be carefully gathered and burnt, 

 as the most effectual mode of destroying the seeds. 



The fii'st leaves which appear on the surface (in many cases called cotyledons), 



