56 How to Lay Out 



be seen of the money expended, yet there is no surer way of 

 securing lasting results than by the use of plenty of good man- 

 ure and fertilizer. 



Manure should be very well rotted, mixed stable manure 

 or cow manure is the best. Manure which contains shavings 

 or wood chips is a very poor kind for making a lawn. As the 

 wood decays on the ground a fungus is formed which causes 

 bare spots. Commercial fertilizers may be used to advantage 

 in many instances. They act, however, more as a stimulant 

 to the soil than as a permanent treatment. Manure puts 

 humus into the soil which feeds the plants after the commercial 

 fertilizer has lost its power. 



The practice of placing manure on the gi-ass about the home 

 in the fall is rather disgusting in that it makes a barnyard 

 of the premises all winter. The use of sheej) manure or wood 

 ashes in the spring during the April rains is equally as beneficial. 

 If it is desired to use manure, two or three weeks' dressing in 

 the spring during the April showers is more effective than 

 manure placed in the fall upon the frozen ground. In the 

 latter method all the fertilizing juices wash away into the 

 street or sidewalk. 



A common practice in building is to scatter the excavated 

 cellar material about the house over the existing topsoil, spread 

 on top a few inches of good soil, and expect to get a good lawn. 

 As a good lawn is dependent on the quality and quantity of 

 the topsoil, it is desiral)le to remove and save all good soil 

 about the building. Then after the subgrading has been done 

 respread the topsoil at least one foot in d(^pth. The topsoil 

 should be kept clean and free from stones, roots, and wchhIs. 



The grading or the shaping of the ground is responsible in 

 many ways for the appearance of a lawn. A slightly convex 

 surface gives the appearance of extent, and one slightly con- 

 cave of narrowness. 



Any ugly banks or ridges should be removed, or shap(>il to 

 secure graceful smooth lines. When the proper depth of top- 



