360 



The Horticulturist and Journal 



Hints for the Lawn. 



JUDGING from the appearance of their 

 grounds, many people are laboring under 

 the impression that the season for work is past, 

 now that the frost has destroyed the foliage 

 on the trees, and the bright, cheerful flowers 

 in their beds. Not so at all. It is just as 

 incumbent upon us to tidy up our out-door 

 surroundings as ever ; and there is a great 

 deal of necessary work to be performed which 

 is not unfrequently neglected. 



Although we are not in favor of trimming 

 at this season of the year, yet there is occa- 

 sionally an old branch that requires to be cut 

 away, either on account of disease, or else to 

 open up some distant view. In case we do 

 trim, always protect the wound by coating it 

 over with a solution of gum-shellac, or clay, 

 so that the scar will quickly heal over, before 

 the exposed part shall have become diseased. 

 Do not delay planting too late in the season ; 

 as this should be termed winter-setting, and 

 not autumn. Roots that have time to prepare 

 for cold weather by the formation of new 

 fibres, and that have the finely pulverized soil 

 well settled about them by the fall rains, will 

 inevitably stand the winter better than those 

 removed very late. Be sure to stake up every 

 tree so removed, whether early or late, as well 

 as any other specimen that is inclined to sway 

 about in the wind ; this shaking by the wind 

 causing trouble in many instances. 



Around each tree on the lawn shake one or 

 two forkfuls of long-stable manure. This serves 

 not only as an excellent mulch, but the solu- 

 ble matter will be carried down to the roots, 

 ready for the new growth of next spring. 



Any young trees of small size, especially 

 Conifers, should have a few evergreen boughs 

 tied neatly and loosely around them. It is 

 better to keep off the sun during winter than 

 to endeavor to keep the plants warm. Never 

 heed the advice of over-nice friends, who say 

 rye straw is so clean-looking, and forms such 

 a smooth, regular cone. We can't help that. 



Appearance is all very well ; but it is only a 

 secondary consideration beside utility. A 

 close-confined air around living plants is al- 

 most sure death to them, as it is to the animal 

 world. 



Our flower beds need attention at this sea- 

 son. Those that have been filled with Coleus 

 and other tender plants must be cleaned out, 

 and the surface neatly raked over. Apply a 

 good coat of rich manure, and let it lay until 

 next spring. Of coui'se, bulbs should have 

 been planted long since. These must have a 

 covering of manure ; but be very careful that, 

 as soon as the warm days appear, this is 

 gradually removed, to prevent the plants from 

 drawing-up — pale and yellow. 



Bulbs should occupy beds that have a warm, 

 sunny aspect ; and after the bloom is over, 

 and the foliage has matured, they are then 

 suitable for sowing with annuals, such as 

 Phlox Drunu/w/idi, Porfulacca, etc.; or, if 

 the taste of the proprietor runs that way, for 

 laying out in the new "tapestry " style. But 

 whatever is used, let it be small, and not 

 large rooted, as the now dormant bulbs below 

 may suffer. In tlie less frequented portion of 

 the grounds lay out and plant beds of hardy, 

 herbaceous plants. We say less frequented, 

 because, although showy when in bloom, this 

 does not last long, and then they have a neg- 

 lected look. But our readers should not feel 

 discouraged on this account ; for this hardy 

 and valuable class are among the most inter- 

 esting of our cultivated flora. This is the 

 proper season to divide them, as many of the 

 species start into active growth vei-y early in 

 spring. The smallest piece of most kinds 

 grow readily, provided each piece of root has 

 a bud at the top. 



The taller-growing sorts should be at the 

 back, and the dwarfs near the front edge, to 

 pi'eserve the symmetry. After planting, give 

 the whole surface of the bed either a slight 

 dressing with coarse manure or leaves, after 

 cutting down all the unsightly old stems. 



Rake the lawn carefully over after the 

 leaves have ceased to fall, and apply a dress- 

 ing of short, well-rotted manure, to be fol- 

 lowed with a coat of ground plaster next 



