58 THE HOME ACRE. 



stars when they are absent. They intensify the 

 sunshine shimmering on the lawn, making one 

 smile involuntarily when seeing them. Moreover, 

 they awaken pleasant memories, for a childhood 

 in which dandelions had no part is a defective 

 experience. 



In late autumn the fallen leaves should be 

 raked carefully away, as they tend to smother the 

 grass if permitted to lie until spring. Now comes 

 the chief opportunity of the year, in the form of a 

 liberal top-dressing of manure from the stable. If 

 this is spread evenly and not too thickly in Novem- 

 ber, and the coarser remains of it are raked off 

 early in April, the results will be astonishing. A 

 deep emerald hue will be imparted to the grass, 

 and the frequent cuttings required will soon pro- 

 duce a turf that yields to the foot like a Persian 

 rug. Any one who has walked over the plain at 

 West Point can understand the value of these reg- 

 ular autumnal top-dressings. If the stable-manure 

 can be composted and left till thoroughly decayed, 

 fine, and friable, all the better. If stable-manure 

 cannot be obtained, Mr. Parsons recommends 

 Mapes's fertilizer for lawns. 



