Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-01

The campaign Of education now being
carried on in this city to secure the CO.
operation and interest of the citizens
generally in the Improvement Of the city,
especially along such lines as house
holders can accomplish. is justly looked
upon as important.
Such a movement is of wider signif1-
canoe in this city than in any other in
the country. In other cities an appeal Of
this kind to householder partakeS more
of the character Of d sanitary campaign
and is an effort for the most part to en-
courage the residents to clear up their
back yards and get rid Of the rubbish
and other .unsightly and unwholesome
features.
But the residents Of Washington have
the unique good fortune to have front
yards, an experience which is not enjoy
ed generally by residents Of any other
American city, and even where in other
citiey there are front yards. they are
not common throughout the town. as
| they are In Washington. Here, wherever
one has his home, even though 1T be in
places which are called sluins, because
there is other term by which they
can be classified, but which bear little
resemblance TO such localities in other
cities. every house has its front yard
| unless it should happen to be in an alley.
Well Looked After.
For the most part these stretches of
lawn extending from the building line
| to the sidewalk, and known officially as
| the parking, are we'll looked after by
the householders. The grass is kept trim
and neat, and in some cases hedges and
shrubbery and flowers are used to adOrn
and beautify. There are, of course, in
stances where the lawn is neglected and
| is allowed to become bare and slovenly,
| but for the most part the citizen does
| his duty we'll There is no reason why
| he should not be encouraged to continue
! in well doing and also in doing better, so
| that these bits of green bordering the
| streets may become still more of an adj
! dition to the beauty of the city.
| There Is no question as to the interest
! and pride taken by the average resident
| in this feature of his home, and what are
| needed perhaps quite as much as exhorta-
| tion TO care for the lawns are suggestions
as to how the best results can be attained.
| For example, very practical question
with most householders at this time is
! the best course to pursue to have the
grass grow. What to do about the dis
! figuring bare spots that appear in the
most carefully looked after lawns is a
practical matter about which q large
number OF citizens would be glad to re-
| ceive information.
Bone Dust and Lime Used.
In some places about the city a COM
position OF bone dust and lime Is being
! spread over the lawns, with the view of
overcoming the effect of the shade of
| trees on the ground. The bone dust. of
course. Is a fertilizer. but the function of
/ the lime. 1t is said by those who use 1t,
is to sweeten the soil and to counterfeit
the effect of the dampness. When the
| soil Is treated by lime. 1t is said. moss
K and fungous growth will be prevented.
| or course il does not follow that grass
| will grow, and so fertilizer is used.
| The amount o. time given each year to
the care Of the strips of grass in front of
their homes by many citizens is worthy OF
a better return than they frequently get.