Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-04-30
farm, field and firssid I
LANDSCAPE GARDENING.


The following valuable suggestions in
relation to landscape gardening for farm
ers are extracted from an essay read be.
fore the Michigan State Pomological So
ciety at Pontiac, by Prof. G. w. Garfield
of the State Agricultural College;
In speaking of
LAWNS,
the gentleman remarked that very few
people understand how to make lawn,
aud seem wonderfully slow in acquiring
the necessary information. To be perfect
It should be green all summer; this, in
our arid climate, can only be approximated
without the accompaniment OF good head
of water to give it drink occasionally.
We have means of partial control with
in our power, in the preparation OF the
soil at the beginning. 1t is quite custom
ary to stir up the soil few inches, and,
through the agency of a great deal of hard
work, cover the surface with sod brought
from some old pasture or road side. This
is very poor method. In the first place
a very dry summer will destroy the whole
of it; and, in the second place, ten
chances to one. under the most favorable
there will be many bare,
unsightly places. The ground. Of what
ever consistency it may be, should be
stirred, if possible, two feet in depth.
Then, If the soil be light, give it clay,
muck and manure-not thin scattering,
but a generous, open handed covering
With this deep foundation and smooth
surface. sprinkling of sand and cheap
lawn-mower, we are in q condition to pro-
duce a premium lawn in one season. |
am inclined to denominate all the ad err
tised
MIXTURES OF LAWN SEEDS
as humbugs, and recommend ia their
place an equal mixture OF Kentucky blue
grass (June grass) and red-top; and sow
1t thick. three bushels per acre is none
too much. All this do in the fall If posi-
Bile. except the sowing of the grass seed,
which should in our climate. be done
early in the spring. Do not sow oats, or
rye, or buckwheat with it for a shade
this is all nonsense; it requires no shade.
and there is scarcely chance of
failure. AS soon as the grass is suffi-
cientiy started the mower should be
used at least once u week in the
growing season. A surface dressing
of hen manure or composted night-soil
should be given at least every other year
to keep the soil in good heart. Upon this
plan any one can have beautiful lawn
who has patch of ground rod square.
1t should not be forgotten that lawn, to
be kept nicely, requires as much attention
as the same area of fower-beds. The
right method in constructing
WALKS AND DRIVES
is to put the most of the work into the be-
ginning. Dig out the space for the walk
or drive to the depth of nine inches and,
ii stone are cheap. fill in a layer of stone
at the bottom; then cover with gravel.
rather coarse, to within an inch of the
top, and finish with finer gravel. If there
is not clay enough in the gravel to pack
it little must be added. This, once com
pleted, will last forever and require very
little care.
In the arrangement of walks and drives
keep in view the positions for conven-
ience, but remember that a curved line is
line OF beauty. and where it will not
conflict with business allow gentle curves
to enter. but never make curve without
some apparent or real reason for it. Ii
slight curve is required for beauty. and
no tree is in the way to suggest the devil
alton from a straight line, put one there,
or group of them.
TREES AND SHRUBS.
Do not think your landscape will be
beautiful according to the sum of money
expended in foreign trees and rare exot-
les. To be sure there is a certain kind of
qualification in new and rare things, but
t1 xph oil tarht
lands, the trees and shrubs brought to our
grounds from the woods. the lowland the
highland, the swamp, and the er-bottom
have greater charms than all others.
Here it is, too. that We can bring study of
the best order into our work. The plan.
ming of little nests of shrubbery that shall
contain a good proportion of our native
sorts, in such a manner that all will
thrive; and to know them so well that
each variety can be pointed out, is
BEAUTIFUL STUDY
that relieves the tedious process OF trans
planting,
1nere is opportunity for the exhibition
of delicate taste in the arrangement OF a
bouquet of flowers so that each form and
each varying tint and shade will augment
the beauty of the group, but it takes more
skill and there Is a greater charm in ar
ranging our groups of trees in such man
ner that the different types of form will
not, by juxtapositon. injure each other.
and so that each line OF summer and au-
tumn will be in its position of best effect.
In adjusting trees with rich autumn tints
it is desirable that somewhere close at
hand-either in front or behind-there be
the rich color of the evergreens for con-
trast. A low spot can be beautifully and
appropriately planted to the dropping
trees the willows, the elms, the water
naples, and larches, all may be made 10
contribute to beautiful effect
SINGLE TREES,
placed as specimens on the lawn and
kept neatly pruned so as not to injure,
their habit, can be so selected and placed
as to give individuality to the place; and
this is what we seek after. Each family
stamps its individuality upon the place il
occupies, and If this aecords with princi-
pies of taste the fact OF Its originality
gives beauty and satisfaction to the prem