Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1875 — Lawns on Farms. [ARTICLE]

Lawns on Farms.

We see far too few good lawns. The lawns of England are said to surpass those of America in that rich, velvety-like appearance wilich characterizes tine lawns. We are apt to overcrowd our law'ris with trees, shrubs, walks and flower-beds, thus despoiling them of their beauty. Mark the wide difference between city law'ns and those of the country. In the cramped city lot every foot of available space is utilized. Tire farmer often fences in from one-fourth to two acres and sometimes more. He seeds to grass, and perhaps mow's it once a year, wiiile a few- dwarfed fruit trees and a clump of lilacs constitute its shrubbery. By close scrutiny you may discover the remains of what was once a flower-bed, made by the tired hands of the mother, but long ago trampled beneath the hoof of horses w'hich had been turned out to eat while their master is taking his daily “nooning.” I think this picture is not overdrawn. So many fanners live in this slip-shod way, and what is the result? Their daughters grow up to w'omanhood discontented with farm life, while their sons take refuge in the overcrow-ded cities. The American farmer fails again often by having too much land included in the lawn. Weeds grow up in the fence corners, sprouts from the trees, and the lawns become unsightly in appearance, while the land is valueless to the owner. Onehalf of ah acre neatly laid out and well taken care of will afford ample room for fruits, flowers, shade and walks. Great care should be taken in the formation of a lawn. It will show off - to better advantage if there is a gentle slope from the house to the roadside. It should also be free of stone. Plow and harrow until perfectly smooth, mark out with w-alks if any are wished anil top-dress with fine, well-rotted barnyard manure. Then procure your lawn grass seed of some reliable seedsman. This seed is a mixture of crested dog’s tail, Kentucky blue-grass, orchard grass, slender-leafed fescue and sweet vernal. Sow seed and roll the ground till it is very smooth. If you wish to keep a fine lawn do not plant any wide-spreading shade trees. Plant such trees as the maple, horse chestr nut and elm along the roadside. If you plat any on the law'n let them be shrubs or n dwarf variety, or evergreens that will bearavigorous pruning. Our hardy evergreen s massed or planted in groups give a lawn a bright and cheerful appearance in winter as well as in summer. There is also a great variety of low-growing shrubs noted for their beautiful foliage.— Cor. Husbandman.