COLD-FRAMES AND HOW TO MAKE THEM 



dressing of soil mixed with bone-meal and wood-ashes, then 

 sow more grass seed. Nitrate of soda, applied to a lawn at 

 the rate of five hundred pounds to an acre, is an excellent 

 spring tonic for a worn-out lawn — this quantity should be 

 appHed in two or even three dressings instead of at one time. 

 This is very rapid in its effect, and is excellent for forcing 

 growth on worn spots. 



Beauty may look as if It were skin-deep, but it isn't; and 

 a good lawn is like a good complexion: it implies a sound 

 physical condition underlying it. If you wish to have a good 

 lawn don't go about it in a half-way fashion. The first necessity 

 is a good, well-drained soil. With a clayey soU it is necessary 

 to lay tiles at the depth of from two feet and a half to three 

 feet. Plough deeply, manure heavily with well-rotted manure 

 — cow manure is best; this must be harrowed in and raked 

 smooth; then add three inches of good top-soil in which there 

 is no manure (this insures safety from weeds), rake smooth 

 and sow with grass seed, allowing two bushels and a half to 

 three bushels to an acre. For this work choose a still, cloudy 

 day; in the early morning or just before sundown is the best 

 time. Rake lightly, unless you are an expert, and be careful 

 to pull the rake one way. As to what seed, if any, tell a re- 

 liable seedsman the character of your soil, whether sandy 

 or clayey, and he can fit the mixture to the conditions. On a 

 new lawn let the grass grow slightly long before cutting. This 

 is especially important if crocuses or other bulbs are planted 

 in the grass, for it is during the few weeks that the foUage 

 is maturing that next year's flowers are formed; therefore one 

 should wait until the crocus and snowdrop leaves begin to yellow 

 before allowing the lawn-mowers full sway. 



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