286 THE SMALL COUNTRY PLACE 



with fine stable manure or fertilizer before much growth 

 begins, though nitrate of soda will give better results if 

 sown a month later. 



Greenhouses and Frames. These are being crowded 

 with plants from seeds and cuttings, which are moving 

 in rapid succession from the greenhouse to the frames. 

 All plants like cabbage, cauliflower, celery, geranium, 

 verbena and other bedding plants do better if hardened 

 off in the frames. 



Roads and Walks. These should be fixed up as soon 

 as the ground has settled. The farm road need not be 

 of gravel, but when ruts are made if a little loam or turf 

 is put into the ruts, some grass seed sown and then 

 rolled with a heavy roller or dragged, it will soon become 

 solid enough for all ordinary farm teaming, and be much 

 neater and more easily kept in repair. Grass walks 

 slightly crowning in the middle, the grass being kept 

 cut close with a lawn-mower, make beautiful walks and 

 are passable even in light shoes at all times except 

 during storms and after heavy dews in the morning. 



The Lawn. When the grass has reached three or four 

 inches in height the lawn-mower should be run over it, 

 but it is best to let it get strong before clipping closely. 

 Quickly soluble fertilizers or fine stable manure should 

 be put on, with a liberal seeding of lawn grasses, all 

 well raked in and rolled. If this is done just before a 

 rain, the seed will be nicely covered and start at once 

 into a vigorous growth. 



Trees and Shrubs. Transplanting may still be done, 

 but the more advanced the season the more severely the 

 tops must be cut back. If the soil be very dry water 

 may be poured into the holes before the trees are set, 

 or, after the roots are partially covered it may be put 

 in to settle the soil about them. A small quantity of 

 water used in this way will do more good than many 



