THE LAWN. 



does iiot purport to belong, we should also point out that it 

 is necessary to so grade the lawn as to properly distribute 

 the surface water. 



What, then, is the first thing to be done to our lawn in 

 the rough after the problems of under-drainage and surface 

 distribution of water have been disposed of ? Why, sim- 

 ply to cart off the stones and cut down the weeds with a 

 scythe. The ground thus roughly cleaned, the next thing 

 is to plow it up or spade it at least a foot deep. If the 

 subsoil is not actually sandy, it will be well to go farther 

 down. Deep culture is of great value to a lawn. It en- 

 sures better resistance to droughts and a more even and 

 luxuriant growth of grass. 



I am coming now to a point that is of the utmost im- 

 portance to the development of a good lawn, and that is 

 the removal of all weeds, stones, and roots from the soil to 

 a foot or more in depth. On the proper removal and burn- 

 ing of these weeds and roots the ultimate success of the 

 lawn largely depends. Once plowing, raking, forking, and 

 burning may not suffice ; twice may not, and even three 

 times may not, but no matter how many may be needed, 

 they must be given. Deep and thorough culture is a neces- 

 sity to a lawn, absolute and fundamental. There is no 

 cause, perhaps, more prolific of bad lawns than poor culture. 

 I care not what tools you use, plow or spade (ordinarily 

 the plow should suffice), tilth and cleanness of soil you must 

 have. By cleanness, of course, I mean, at the best, approxi- 

 mate cleanness, for millions of embryo seeds must lurk 

 in most soils, clean them as often as you will. But if you 

 will clean them again and again, by plowing and raking, 



