SITUATION, SOIL, SURROUNDINGS 3 



uable. Cultural directions in the best lists are to be confidently 

 relied upon, and all these lists are furnished free. Subscribe to a 

 good garden periodical or two; besides the pleasure and infor- 

 mation to be had from such journals, the time will probably 

 come — and sooner than the beginner thinks — when he will be 

 a contributor and subscriber both; and in the exchange of expe- 

 riences in gardening lies one of the charms of this occupation, as 

 well as one of its supreme benefits. 



The first thought brought to mind by the mention of the lawn 

 is grass: how shall we proceed to get the best grass, and what are 

 the simplest and best methods of keeping that grass in order? A 

 certain perfect lawn is thus described by Mr. Samuel Parsons, 

 in Bailey's " Cyclopsedia of Horticultiu-e." 



"The lawn consists of small patches of grass-turf, on a private 

 farm in Manchester, Connecticut. Each patch was worked and 

 turned over with various ingeniously contrived hoes, forks, and 

 rakes, until the last weed was removed that could be found by 

 dint of sldll and untiring patience. The soil was that of an old 

 garden, and naturally good. It was tilled in the most thorough 

 manner, and not fertilized at all, for fear new weeds might be in- 

 troduced. Then, in this mellow and receptive mediimi, were set 

 cuttings or joints of the hardiest and most luxm-iant of grasses 

 which had been discovered by months and even years of keen and 

 intelligent search in the old meadows of both the Old and New 

 Worlds, from Austria to Australia, The result is an elastic firm- 

 ness, an endurance, depth, and richness of the turf which suggests 

 to the tread the deep pile of some Eastern carpet woven on a 

 hand-loom." This is a counsel of perfection; but why not set 

 forth the best at once — an ideal? 



To proceed to the practical details of getting fine turf for the 

 small place. Work the ground first very thoroughly, and two 

 feet deep, if possible; and be sure that a covering of rich earth is 



