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over the surface and plowed in. This soil preparation is best when done in the fall 

 and the surface left rough during the winter. 



Even with the above manuring the second plowing should not be omitted. As a 

 substitute for the fall manuring apply bone dust at the rate of at least one-half ton 

 per acre in the spring on the surface and harrow it in. Before sowing the surface 

 should be harrowed and cross-harrowed until a smooth, even surface is produced ; 

 then sow the seed and cover it by rolling. 



The best lawn grass is Poa pratensis, variously known as blue grass, green grass, 

 and June grass, and the many mixtures sold as lawn grasses are largely composed of 

 this species. A good mixture is 2 bushels of the above, 1 bushel of red top (Agrostia 

 vulgar is), and 1 quart of timothy (Phlem pratense). The timothy seed is included 

 because it vegetates quickly and strongly, loosens the surface soil, and thus facilitates 

 the growth of the other grasses, and soon disappears. If sown under good conditions 

 from the first of March to 'the middle of April, it will be fit for the lawn mower by 

 first of June, and by the end of that month will present the appearance of a good 

 lawn. 



A fine lawn can not be maintained without frequent mowing, and now that numer- 

 ous and cheap and efficient lawn mowers are to be found everywhere, there is really 

 no excuse for imperfectly kept lawns. 



During the first summer the cuttings of the mower may be allowed to remain on 

 the surface as a mulch, but experience shows that the practice is not to be com- 

 mended after the first year. 



It is pernicious to sow oats, rye, barley, or other grains with the grass seed. These 

 strong-growing plants rob the soil and injure the growth of the lower grasses. They 

 do not require any protection of this kind, and many failures in lawn-making can be 

 traced to the practice of mixing these with the grass seeds. 



BRAZIL NUT. 



W. W. W. , Iowa. I wish to know whether the tree that bears Brazil nuts will thrive 

 in the United States, and whether they will bear much, if any, frost without injury, 

 and whether they will thrive where oranges and almonds do. Also, best mode of 

 starting young trees from the nut. 



Ansicer. The tree that yields these nuts is the Bertholletia excelsa, a native of 

 Guiana, Venezuela, and Brazil. It is found in large forests on the banks of the Ama- 

 zon, and is therefore strictly a tropical tree, and would not be at all likely to grow 

 to any degree of perfection in Florida. 



Climates suited to almonds and oranges are no criterion for tropical vegetation. 

 The former will grow wherever peaches do well, and a bearing orange tree will with- 

 stand 10 of frost without injury. 



CHICLE GUM. 



K. P., New York City. Among the importations at this port is an article called 

 Chicle Gum. After considerable inquiry I have not been able to find the name of the 

 plant which produced it, but have learned that it comes from Mexico. 



If you can tell me the name of the tree or plant, and where it can be obtained, I 

 should like to try it in Clay County, Florida, where I have interests. 



Answer. Chicle Gum is furnished by Sapota achras, a tree of the West Indies and 

 of some parts of Mexico. 



The fruit is called Naseberry, or Sapodilla plum. It is stated that the succulent 

 gnrnrny pulp surrounding the seeds is named chicle, and that it is employed in the 

 preparation of gum-drops. 



The tree will not flourish in Clay County, Florida, although it is to be found grow- 

 ing in the southern extremes of the State, where it has been introduced. 

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