Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-12-08
LAW Ms.

The most beautiful OBJECT 10 tOWo or cOuO-
try, connected with dwellings, is rich, velvety
lawn, kept in good condition. Unfortunately,
our country or climate is not we'll adapted TO
the preservation of lawns in their highest per-
tectlon as we see them 10 England. Our SUM-
mers are usually hot and dry, and the winters
briug irosts so severe that rich turf ls dis
placed and the roots of grasses destroyed. We
can, however, manage to overcome the dlsad-
vantages of winter more easily than those of
summer, as nothing can prevent the destruc-
tive influence OF the fierce rays of the sun, aud
nothing can supply the want of rain. During
the summer Of 1873 no rain fell in the New
England States from June % to July "a, and
the rich and costly lawss connected with subur-
ban residences near this city were burned TO
crisp. The sight was SO melancholy that pleas
ure-riding for time in large measure ceased,
aud the fiue drives around the city we're COM
parativey deserted.
Lawns are occasionally injured 10 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, and other lovely rural retreats around
London, lost their deep green, and were for q
few weeks uuattractlve. This, however, was
an exceptional season, and one like 1t may not
occur for dozen years.
preserve lawns iu good condition. The ground
should be uuder- drained. deeply pulverlzed,
and thoroughly mauured 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 aHordlDg susie
nance to grasses If any one desires to pre-
pare a lawn and maintain it in the best posi-
Die condition, the preliminary work cannot te
sighted.
During the present season we have laid down
rs lawn about two and q halt acres OF ground,
and shall add to it the present autumn about
three acres more The land was pasture at
the farm, upon Midlake Hill, where stoue
dwelling has just been erected. 1t was deeply
ploughed in the autumn OF 1878, and during
the past spring it was throughly pulverlzed by
repeated cross harrowipgs. Alter the ground
was fully prepared, and fertilizad with cou-
centrated fertilizers, the seed was sowu, con
sisting ofa mixture OF white clover, red-top and
timothy. The timothy in small quantity is an
important addition to the seed, as 1t affords
strong roots, and seems to protect the more
tender grasses until they are vigorous enough
to be set-sustaioug.
The seed was sown on the Goth Of April, and
on the 18th of July crop of succulent grass
was cut, which, when dry, gave more than .
ton to the acre. 10 the first cutting of lawn
grass good judgment must be exercised. 1t
will not answer to cut it too early, as the
branching young leaves arc needed to shelter
the tender roots from the hot SUI, aud on the
other hand it is Injurious to allow 1t to be-.
come too thick and matted, as the shade and
confined air kill the roots ln some cases 1t 10 un-
doubtedly we'll to SOW with the grass seeds oats
or summer rye, but We prefer the unml1ed
grass seeds if they can be sown early 10 the
season. Our lawp is now in fiue condition Of
luxuriauce, and with care, We hope to main
tain it in a satisfactory condition if the seasons
are moderately favorable. -Erehdn0e.
Two TALEs.-A fight occurred at the foot of
King street, last night, between pointer and
bull dog that lasted long time, and attract
ed large crowd, who watched lis progress with
the liveest interest Strange to say the pom
Ter won the fight and stranger still, the bull
dog, when it found that it was whipped, lay az
though it were dead, until the pointer, which
walked over it aud shook it to make it get up
and fight more, went off, when it rose hastily
and ran alexandria Gazette Oct II.
They have got an intelligent bulldog in
Alexandria, Va, and the boasting among the
lnhaDltantS OF that n0urlSh'0g, Dut somewhat
dull town, is something fearful to contemplate
The bulldog had combat with fellow cur,
aud found, in the course of the coohlct that
the aforesaid fellow cur was too much for him.
When this fact had penetrated his cerebe!lum
he fell fat aud motiouess to the ground. The
victorious dog gave his PROSTATE form part.
ing chew or two, and ther strutted about with
an air of Importance befttiug the OCCASION ln
short time he took up the line OF march tor
home. AS his footsteps were dying away 10
the distance, the eyes of the the PROSTATE dog
slightly unclosed. Seeing the victor ploddlug
homeward aud on the retreat be opened bis eyes
wide, and when the victor turned corner,
and was out of sight, the PROSTATE dog arose
from the earth, shook the dirt from bis gar
ments, aud logged home with sarcastic
smile. Boston Saturday Erening Gazette
Nor 2Sth.