Il8 GARDEN AND FARM TOPICS. 



fifteen or twenty feet. As the formation of the lawn is 

 the foundation of all subsequent operations, it is impera- 

 tive that it be carefully done; for if badly done at first it 

 cannot be changed or altered, unless to the great detri- 

 ment of trees or shrubs that have been planted, or flower 

 beds or walks that have been laid out. 



The first thing to be done is to get the ground shaped 

 to the desired grade, taking care, in grading, that when 

 hills or rocks are removed, sufficient subsoil is also 

 removed to be replaced with top soil, so that at least five 

 inches of good soil will overlay the whole in all places; 

 and where trees are to be planted there should be twice 

 that depth of good soil. When the grading is finished, 

 if the nature of the ground requires it, drains should be 

 laid wherever necessary; and then the whole should be 

 thoroughly plowed, a subsoil following in the wake of the 

 common plow, until it is completely pulverized. A heavy 

 harrow should then be applied until the surface is thor- 

 oughly fined down. All stones, roots, etc., should be 

 removed, so that a smooth surface may be obtained. We 

 have used, with great effect and saving of labor, a com- 

 paratively new implement known as the " Disc Smooth- 

 ing Harrow," which fines and levels the land equal to a 

 steel rake; and whenever large areas are in preparation 

 for lawns, or, in fact, for any field culture requiring a 

 fine, smooth surface, this implement will be found to be 

 of great value. 



SOWING. 



When the seed is sown a light harrow snould be again 

 applied, so as to sink the seed two inches or so in the 

 soil, and after that a thorough rolling given, so that the 

 surface is made as smooth and firm as possible. In the 

 latitude of New York, the seed may be sown any time 



