376 



BEAUTIFYING HOME GROUNDS 



forkful of manure well mixed with the soil at planting time will 

 pay. The results seen in a thrifty flower garden or border are very 

 encouraging (Figs. 278 and 279). When a fine old shrub is un- 

 thrifty investigate the case and remedy the trouble if possible. 

 A little manure or a mulch applied in the fall will stimulate the 

 growth next year. 



Lawns. — Over the extensive area in which blue-grass thrives, 

 good lawns are easily produced. Kentucky blue-grass is one of the 

 best lawn grasses of the humid states. It thrives particularly well 

 in regions where there is plenty of limestone, and in those regions 

 will grow much farther south than elsewhere. 



Fig. 277. — Even a few annual plants, Buch as castor beans, vines and flowers, well 

 placed, hide the naked foundations and give a pleasing background for the lawn. Note 

 how well the foundation is hidden by plants. 



Other good lawn grasses are timothy, meadow fescue, red top 

 and the rye grasses. All of these need to be trimmed more closely 

 or may be used better on large plantations where mowing is to be 

 done by the field machines. 



White clover is a low, creeping clover which mixes well with 

 blue grass and other lawn grasses. It is easily grown in all of the 

 regions where the rainfall is not too limited. It prefers some lime 

 in the soil. 



Bermuda grass is one of the best lawn grasses in use in the Gulf 

 states and other states near them if there is little lime in the soil. 

 It makes a dense carpet if kept trimmed closely, and is one of the 



