Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-06-08
The Farnler,s lawn.

Most farmers appreciate the beauty of Il
large, level cloan-shaven lawn. 1t is one of
the most attractive features of any estate.
The pure, vivid green of the even sward can
not be initiated by any arti6ce. There are
few farmers, however, who have the time or
means to ornament extensively. A good lawn
can be made ut very little expense, and can
be kept III good order even without the aid
of lawn mower. In the first place. one
should learn that it is poor taste to place flow
err beds directly in front of the house. They
are much more effective if planted at one side
and little in the rear. Have tine yard in
front of the house n smooth plat of grass
with few neat shrubs or trees scattered ir
regularly over it. Make no pretension to &C.
ometrical forms in walks or flower-beds Trees
look best in yard if not set in regular rows.
If thus Set one vacancy or one Unlocking tree
will spoil the effect of the whole row. The
simpler and more neutral the arrangement,
the pleasanter the effect.
1t is not difficult to make a good lawn. In
the first place, good foundation should be
provided for the grass. Though this is tho
most important, yet it is the part usually neg
lected. The ground should be made rich and
level, even if it takes two or three years
Plow it up, harrow and rake it over carefully,
manure well, and manage to have the whole
thoroughly subdued. This done, SOW a very
liberal quantity of grass seed, and SOW it by
itself it will do as well or better than if used
with oats or wheat as no stubble will remain
on the ground. Sow grass seed at the rate
of a bushel or more to the acre-the more the
better, for the sooner the sod will be grown.
1t does not pay to sod yard unless one is in
hurry for the lawn, as sodding is expensive;
but the borders of the walks may be sodded
the sods being cut 10 or - inches wide and
rolled up from beneath with spade. Ten or
- feet of sod may be rolled up into one roll
and it can be unrolled again on the border.
Sod is usually cut too thick; u inches is
thick enough. When the sod is laid it should
be pounded down as much as possible.
very heavy block of wood with a handle is
good for ramming down the sod, and the lat
ter will be much more apt to grow if well at
tended to in this respect The sod borders
should be lower than the adjoining lawn, for
the loose soil of the latter will be sure to set
tie an inch or more. If the sod is cut thin
and well laid, it will be almost sure to grow
we'll June grass sod is best for lawn; il is
also known as Kentucky blue grass. Timothy
and orchard grass are not good for lawns, as
they form clumps and soon make the ground
uneven.
light dressing of fine and well rolled ma
nure every spring is desirable, but it is useless
70 apply 1t when the ground is frozen, as it is
usually washed away before the ground thaws
out The lawn once made, the grass should
be cut frequently. This can be nicely done
with sharp scythe. The oftenor the grass
is mown, the sitter and more even the sod
will become, and the more the grass will tiller
out. lawn prepared and kept in this way
is not expensive. Children soon become in.