Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-12-09
LAW MS.

try, connected with dwellings, is a rich, velvety
lawn, kept 10 good condition. Unfortunately,
our country or climate is not well adapted to
the preservation of lawns iu their highest per-
lection as we see them in England. Our suu-
mers are usually hot and dry, aud the winters
bring trosts so severe that rich turf is dis
placed aud the roots OF grasses destroyed. we
eau, however, manage to overcome the clsad-
vaptagcs OF wluter more easily than those OF
summer, as nothing can prevent the destruc-
tive influence of the fierce rays of the SUP, aud
nothing cap supply the want OF rain. During
the summer of 1878 20 rain fell 10 the New
England States from June % to July "a, and
the rich and costlylawns connected with subur-
ban residences near this city were burned TO
crisp The sight was so melancholy that pleas
ure-riding for time in a large measure ceased,
aud the foe drives around the city were COM
paratively deserted.
Lawns are occasionally injured in Eugland
by drought The season OF 1874 was specially
severe. All over England the eye rested on
brown fields; and Hyde Park, Battersea Bushy
Park, aud other lovely rural retreats around
London, lost their deep green, and were tor
few weeks uuattractvc. This, however, was
an exceptional season, and one like it may not
occur for dozen years.
1t is possible in the country to do much to
preserve lawns 10 good condition. The ground
should be under-drained, deeply pulverzed,
aud thoroughly manfred before the sod Is
sown. If the land is naturally dry, under
ground drains aid 10 mitigating the effects OF
drouth. The currents of moist air which are
allowed to circulate. Through them IN the heat
of summer assist materially 10 aHordlpg susie
uance to grasses. Ii any one desires to pre-
pare q lawn and maintain IL 10 the best posi-
BILE condition, the preliminary work cannot be
sighted.
During the present season we have laid down
as a lawu about two and halfac: OF ground,
and shall add to it the present autumn about
three acres more The land was a pasture at
the farm, upon Midlake Hill, where stone
dwelling has just been erected. 1t was deeply
poughed in the autumn OF 1873, and during
the past spring it was thoroughly pulverized by
repeated cross borrowings After the ground
was fully prepared aud fertilizcd with con-
centrated fertilizers, the seed was sown, con
sistng of mixture of white clover, red-top and
timothy The timothy in small quantity IS an
mportaut adiitiou to the seed, as 1t affords
strong roots and seems to protect the more
tender grasses Until they are vigorous enough
to be seltsustalDing. ;,
The seed was sown on the 26;h of April, and
on the 9th of July crop OF succulent grass
was cut, which, when dry, gave more than
ton to the acre. ln the first cutting OF lawn
grass good judgment must be exercised. LII
will not answer to cut it too early, as the
branching young leaves are accdcd to, shelter
the tender roots from the bot sua, aud on the
other hand it is Injurious to allow it to be-
come too thick and matted, as the shade and
confined air kill the roots. 10 some cases 1t is un-
doubtedly we'll to SOW with the grass seeds oats,
or summer rye, but we prefer the unmlxed
grass seeds if they can be sown early III the
season. Our lawn is DOW 10 tue condition OF
luxuriauce, and with care, we hope to MAIN
tain it 10 satisfactory condition it the seasons
are moderately favorable. Exchange.
Two TALEs.-A fight occurred at the foot OF
King street, last night, between pointer and
q bull dog that lasted long time, ADD attract
ed large crowd, who watched It's progress with
the liveliest interest. Strange to say the pom,
Ter won the fight, and stranger still, the bull
dog, when it found that it was whipped, lay as
though it were dead, until the pointer, which
walked over it and shook it to make it get up
and fight more, went of, when it rose hastily
and ran ff.-1leraudria GuSe:te Oct II.
They have got an Intelligent bulldog 10
Alexandria, Va, and the Boosting among the
Inhabitants of that hourishing, but somewhat
dull town, is something fearful to contemplate.
The bulldog had combat with fellow cur,
and found, In the course of the conflict, that
the aforesaid fellow cur was too much for him.
When this fact had penetrated his cerebellum
he fell fiat and motionless to the ground. The
victorious dog gave his PROSTATE form part
ing chew or TWO, and then strutted about with
au air of Importance BETTING the occasion. In
a short time he took up the line of march for
home. AS his footsteps were dying away 10
the distance, the eyes of the the PROSTATE dog
slightly Enclosed. Seeing the victor Flooding
homeward and on the retreat he opened his eyes
wide, and when the victor turned a corner,
and was out of sight, the PROSTATE dog arose
irom the earth, shook the dirt from his gar
meuss, and logged home with a sarcastic
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