1915^ The Lawn Problem in tpie South 105 



is too complicated or expensive an undertaking for them. 

 If you can afford a lawn mower you will have the one thing 

 needful to improve the appearance of your home 100 per 

 cent. Simply get rid of the sprouts and big weeds and run 

 the mower over whatever comes. The spontaneous summer 

 grasses, even if mixed to some extent with weeds, will soon 

 give you a pretty, green expanse that you will be proud of 

 when you think of the disreputable patch of smut-grass and 

 dog-fennel that you used to call your front yard. When you 

 see this great improvement already made you will not be 

 quite satisfied until you take down that old sagging fence 

 and plant a hedge in its place. Then, as you grow in grace 

 and in love of beauty, you will add shrubs to the corners and 

 about the house, shape up the walks and keep them hoed, 

 and screen the unsightly places with evergreen privets or 

 mock orange {Prunus carolinianus, not osage orange, which 

 is not evergreen). There will be joy in your heart at these 

 transformations, and when, some day, you realize that the 

 neighbors are trying to follow your example your full reward 

 will appear. 



Chapel Hill, N. C. 



