THE HOME GROUNDS AND WOOD LOT 471 



obstructions removed. The soil should be rich and well 

 drained. For the greater part of the United States, a mix- 

 ture of blue-grass and red-top, with perhaps a small amount 

 of white clover, makes a good lawn covering. 



The lawn must be close-mown if it is to produce a pleas- 

 ing effect. If allowed to grow up, the grass becomes tufted 

 and coarse, besides looking ragged and unkempt. Farm 

 stock should not be pastured on the lawn. Their trampling 

 will produce unevenness that interferes with the lawn- 

 mower, and plants, shrubbery and young trees are sure to 

 suffer from being browsed. 



TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION 



1. Draw a plan of your home grounds, locating all 

 the trees, vines and shrubs, and giving the names of va- 

 rieties. 



2. In your drawing also show the position, size and 

 shape of all the flower beds, specifying the varieties of 

 plants, and whether annuals or perennials. 



3. Make a complete plan for the decoration of your 

 home grounds, taking into account the trees, shrubs, and 

 plants already set out. What varieties should be added? 

 Are any trees or shrubs in such positions that they should 

 be removed? 



4. Make a plan for decorating the school grounds, speci- 

 fying by variety each tree and shrub, and showing its loca- 

 tion. 



2. The Farm Wood Lot 



Every farm place should have its own wood lot. It 

 costs little to start, requires but little care after the first 

 year or two, and yields large returns. 



Uses of the wood lot. Poles, timbers and posts are 

 constantly needed on every farm. When there is no wood 

 lot to supply them, they must either be bought, or the farm 

 suffer for their lack. Lumber, posts and timbers of 

 every sort are becoming more expensive from year to year 



