RURAL HOMES. 5 



as to be the best possible ground for the display 

 of trees, shrubs, or beds of flowers. The green 

 sward should extend up to and around the house, 

 and, stretching down the undulating slopes of the 

 lawn, would give favorable points for groups of 

 shrubs and large trees in projecting masses. 

 The preparation of a permanent lawn is simple, 

 but somewhat expensive, as it is essential that 

 the work be thoroughly done at the commence- 

 ment. A deep, rich, retentive loam is most de- 

 sirable, in order to preserve the vigor and 

 color of the grass during periods of protracted 

 drought. If the soil is originally light or sandy 

 it will be necessary to cart on a liberal supply of 

 strong clay loam, or retentive meadow soil, secur- 

 ing a depth of at least a foot of strong soil. It 

 is also desirable that the subsoil should be stirred 

 with the plough, or by trenching, in order to en- 

 courage the roots of the grass to strike down 

 deep for moisture, in the dry season. For a soil 

 of average richness, four cords of good stable 

 manure, spread and ploughed in, to an acre of 

 land will give sufficient fertility for the start. It 

 is not well to encourage too rank and coarse 

 growth, at the beginning. Surface dressings can 

 be applied from tune to time, as may be required. 

 It is most important that the surface be made 

 fine and smooth by frequent harrowings, until 



