56 THE HOME ACRE. 



vegetable growth whatever. This gives a chance 

 to fertilize and work the ground immediately over 

 the roots. Of course vigorous fruit-trees cannot 

 be grown in a thick sod, while peaches and grapes 

 require the free culture of the garden, as will be 

 shown hereafter. In view, however, of the general 

 wish for grass, I have advised on the supposition 

 that all the ornamental trees, most of the shrubs, 

 and the four fruits named would be grown on the 

 portions of the acre to be kept in lawn. It may be 

 added here that plums also will do well under the 

 same conditions, if given good care. 



Grass is a product that can be cultivated as truly 

 as the most delicate and fastidious of fruits, and I 

 had the lawn in mind when I urged the generous 

 initial deep ploughing and enriching. Nothing that 

 grows responds more promptly to good treatment 

 than grass ; but a fine lawn cannot be created in 

 a season, any more than a fine tree. 



We will suppose that the spring plantings of 

 trees have been made with open spaces reserved 

 for the favorite games. Now the ground can be 

 prepared for grass-seed, for it need not be tram- 

 pled over any more. If certain parts have become 

 packed and hard, they should be dug or ploughed 

 deeply again, then harrowed and raked perfectly 

 smooth, and all stones, big or little, taken from the 

 surface. The seed may now be sown, and it should 



