The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-09-20
MUCH EXPECTED
OF BIRMINGHAM
Must Nike Good On City Beau
ifuI Campaign
LETTER FROM FLORIST
Mayor Ward Wants to Assist Citizens
In Every Possible Way In Improv-
ing the Appearance of
the City.
LETTER FROM FLORIST

birmingham must make good on tina
City Beautiful movement because the
whole world has heard of it and expects
much,p said Mayor Ward yesterday after
noon.
With this thought in mind the Mayor is
leaving no stone unturned which will
further the movement. The Block I'm
provement associations have been thor
oughly organized and most of them are
at work. All of the associations are ready
for business. Many, however, are not in
formed just what to do, and Mayor Ward
has taken this matter In hand also.
Some time ago the Mayor wrote to the
florists of the city asking for suggestions
as to what can best be done towards
the City Beautiful at this season of the
year. William M Lindsay replied yester-
day. Mayor Ward suggests that all in
terested in the movement clip Mr.. Lind
says letter and keep It for further refer
ence. The letter follows:
To the Mayor:
In response to your recent request for
suggestions as to what could best be done
towards the "City Beautiful at this sea-
son of the year, 1 beg to say:
The Lawn.
The foundation of the City Beautiful
is the lawn, whether, the small spot of
well-kept grass in the door yard, the
strip between walks and curbs, or the
pretentious lawn surrounding the man
sion. II cared for as they should be they
are the "spots" beautiful
Bermuda grass, from seed. sprigging, or
sodding, is the summer lawn Of the south,
but is killed with the first frost.
Many homes, and especially the most
expensive ones, are spoiled by failure to
properly prepare the ground Tor the lawn,
as in the preparation is the foundation
of all subsequent operations. If indiffer-
emily or badly done at first, shrubs or
trees which may have been planted, would
suffer serious set back in attempting to
correct this error, as well as flower beds
and walks which may have been laid out.
Lawn In Winter.
If your lawn has been well kept, and
you wish a covering of green for the
winter, cut the grass as closely as pos
sible, clean it off thoroughly, have ready
to apply Immediately a covering thorough
ly decomposed horse or COW manure in
which all seds have been killed, saturate
the lawn thoroughly with water, then ap-
ply the manure, in the absence of which
a good rich soil may be substituted, an
inch or an inch and a half thick. If sol
ra1 IN OF
the rate of 100 pounds of coarse ground
bone to a space equal to 80 by 90 Feet
then rake in five pounds of English rye
grass seed, eight pounds would be better,
sprinkle slightly, not enough to disturb the
surface or seed, and roll with light
weight roller, or firm in with the back
of a spade. After two or three days
water again with the finest spray. always
exercising care until grass is up not to
disturb the surface.
While the grass is terminating one can
determine whether there will be bulbs
in beds or borders, shrubs or trees. The
smaller the lawn the smaller portion that
should be allotted to other things, either
bulbs or shrubs, and the greatest care
should be HA6rClSeu III lhC SSASS1aSA "a
SUCH as are most suitable. This can be
intellgently done only by consultation
with one acquainted with the various
plants and their manner of growth, unless
one has already gained that knowledge
from experience.
Time to Plant.
With the exception of gladiolii, Gamma,
caladium elephant ear and tuberose
bulbs, all bulbs should be planted in the
fall Peonies and annunciation lilies
should be planted as quickly as possible
Tulips, hyacinths, narcissi, jonquils, daffo-
dis. crocus, snowdrop lily of the valley
white. red and spotted Japanese lilies
can be planted between now and Decem-
Der 1 to advantage.
There is a long list of hardy perennials,
some of which can best be gotten from
seed, but the majority of them can be
had already we'll grown very cheaply
now, as they have grown very popular
them on a large SCALE
The list of blooming shrubs is also
quite extensive but the most popular are
SNOWFALL, hardy hydrangea, altiea, rhode
dendron, spireas and lilacs, and should be
planted between October 15 and December
Is. The same injunction applies to the
planting of all varieties of ornamental
and shade trees.
l never recommend the Carolina poplar.
This is the proper time to prime hedges
last before frost.
Prepare the location and soil for your
rose bed or border now. so that as soon
as frost comes they can safely be trans
planted and will become thoroughly es-
tablished before spring, and there will be
a wealth of satisfactory bloom If proper
preparation has been made.
Pruning Time.
From October IL to December Is prune
out all thin and weak struggling growth
in trees, shrubs, vines and roses, both
dwarf and climbing. Be cautious and do
not trim your tea roses too severely.
Climbing roses should be trimmed only
enough to keep them in bounds, and all
weak wood and useless portions should
be removed.
IL any further or special information is
desired l will be pleased to furnish 1t.
Yours very truly,
WILLIAM NJ. LINDSAY.