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tination at this time ; weeds will gain the ascendency, and unequal 

 growths follow. A lawu sown down in April was cut six times before 

 the first of August, and had the appearance of a thick-set sod. 



Neither in the preparation and formation of a lawn, nor in its keep- 

 ing in this climate, are there any half-way compromises. The work 

 must be done thoroughly to begin with, and then timely attention to 

 cutting all through the growing season will insure a satisfactory result. 

 Neither soil nor climate can justly be blamed for poor lawns, although 

 it is a very convenient mode of shifting responsibility, and one fre- 

 quently adopted. 



As already remarked, lawn mowing machines will not operate to any 

 good purpose where the grass is long ; hence it has been recommended 

 to leave the cut grass as a mulch. During the first year this course 

 may be followed with advantage ; but experience shows that a long 

 continuance of the practice injures the lawn materially, particularly 

 during early spring or late in the season. In the hottest portion 

 of summer the cut grass dries up so thoroughly as to be but of slight 

 influence either way. 



The lawn will be benefitted by a top dressing once in three or four 

 years; not, however, by throwing over it an unsightly covering of 

 rough, strawy litter, which, however beneficial, is not commendable in 

 neatly kept grounds. A compost made up of fresh stable manure and 

 any ordinary good surface soil, thrown together in layers, and inter- 

 mixed and pulverized by frequent turnings during the summer, will be 

 in condition for application any time in early winter. This should be 

 evenly distributed, broken up, and raked in among the roots, taking 

 advantage of frost to assist in the work of disintegration, and removing 

 the rougher portions altogether before rolling the lawn in the spring. 



BELTS OR MARGINAL PLANTATIONS. 



In suburban districts, where surrounding properties are likely to be 

 improved and the scenery is liable to be changed at any time, too much 

 value should not be given to neighboring views. It frequently occurs 

 that the site for a dwelling house is selected mainly on account of its 

 commanding certain distant views, even to sacrificing other important 

 considerations in order to secure the prospect, and before the house is 

 completed the fine views are obstructed by operations on an adjoining 

 property. In localities of this kind the interest of the position should 

 not so much depend upon external beauties that are beyond control as 

 upon the internal improvements and local objects. Preliminary to this 

 acquirement the grounds should be isolated by an umbrageous boundary 

 of trees and shrubs, which will form a pleasant margin to the ground 

 improvements, and provide that seclusion, retirement, and privacy which 

 are always congenial to home comfort. 



Whether the place is large or small, a carefully planted boundary of 

 selected trees and shrubs should encircle that portion of the grounds 



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