48 YARD AND GAEDEN 



should be overlooked. Plow deeply and harrow 

 thoroughly. If, to begin with, the land appears 

 to be impossible, make every effort to render 

 it as fit as can be while the plowing and harrow- 

 ing are in progress. If the soil is deficient in 

 humiis begin the foundation of the lawn fully a 

 year before it is desired to seed it. Plant a 

 crop of cow peas and in the fall plow it under, 

 adding immediately a dressing of lime. In the 

 early spring following, apply a dressing of well- 

 rotted manure, and plow and harrow again. 

 Make the surface soil fine and level. It is al- 

 ways best to let the ground stand for three or 

 four weeks untouched, so that any weeds may 

 germinate and show themselves and be eradi- 

 cated by another harrowing. 



When the area to be put to lawn is limited, 

 as it is in the case of small city residences, it 

 is necessary, first of all, to determine whether 

 the soil, as it lies, is suitalile for a good lawn. 

 If it is not, waste no time with it but have it 

 carted away and good loam substituted. Work 

 this thoroughly and if it is in the fall — the 

 best time to begin lawn-making — top-dress it 

 with manure and let it remain somewhat 

 roughly heaped, that is, without pulverizing or 

 smoothing. The winter's frost and the alternate 



