ORNAMENTAL GRASSES. 317 



suiting botanist, Wm. Caruthers, who, for small fees, tests the 

 seeds for its members. He finds it best to avoid purchasing 

 mixtures for lawn, pasture or meadow. 



The editor of the Gardner's Monthly echoes the sentiments of 

 our best judges in this matter when he advises for lawn to sow 

 June grass or red top either one alone or both mixed. 



E. S. Carman, one of the editors of the Rural Neto Yorker, 

 and manager of a fine homestead and an experimental farm, 

 writes: "Thirteen years ago we sowed on different parts of an 

 acre of lawn blue grass, red top, Rhode Island bent and the 

 ' lawn mixtures ' sold by seedsmen. To-day the red top presents 

 the finest and brightest appearance, while the lawn mixture ' 

 portion has since been resown with red top and blue grass." 



In conclusion, if not so already, make the soil strong, drain 

 thoroughly, deeply pulverize, harrow and hand-rake the surface 

 carefully. In early spring, or in early autumn if not dry, sow, 

 without any wheat or oats, three or four bushels to the acre of 

 June grass or red top, either one or a mixture of both in any 

 proportion. 



Ornamental (Jrasses. — Although grasses rank among the 

 lowest of the flowering plants, and very few have anything like 

 gaily colored blossoms, yet no order possesses plants which sur- 

 pass some of them in grace and elegance. For beauty, grasses 

 rely mainly upon their forms and pleasing shades of green color. 

 A few have brilliant colored anthers, or their spikelets are cov- 

 ered with white hairs. 



From simple, rigid heads or spikes to the most graceful of 

 delicate, drooping panicles there are all grades of pleasing forms. 



We have considered the surpassing beauty of a green velve"> 

 lawn, but who can fai! to admire the glory of the meadow or the 

 pasture on the plain or the hill-side spotted with fat cattle or 

 '' bunchy" sheep? 



There is much to admire when grasses are crowded together in 



