Show R VM I 1 1 3 I 1 their C are dmd r y I 1 showing the beauty of a lawn rightly planted and cared for THE BEAUTY OF A FINE LAWN by E VAN benthuysen the question ot of whether to sod or seed Is of 0 primary importance A solid greensward la is immediately se cured if we sod the objections to are many good eod sod Is not always procurable it requires an ex tra amount of labor to sod if the grounds are very large it la is not it if however Is decided upon the ground should first be leveled and smoothed to the proper grade the surface should then be stirred and pul to a depth of an inch or more and suitable fertilizers worked in it Is well to spread rich dirt from the creek bottom or woods over the surface it will give the sod a quick start and give new life to the original soil it Is not essential to cut the sod more than an inch thick or just deep enough to incle ie to all the underground stems but the thicker the sod Is the better it Is not necessary in laying the sods to lay them flush against each other as grass will sprout from the sides and the spaces allow for slon in settling and leveling As soon as the sods are laid give the entire lawn a complete wetting then go over the surface with a roller to level it A good homemade tor for the lawn can be bg made by nailing a board TABLE decorations by L M bennington we cannot all have flowers for the tho table it if we are dependent on the green houses in our neighborhood tor for the supply the cost is out of all proportion but flowers we ought to have and can have at a very nominal cost in time and money it if we are will ing to take care of a few plants in the home the best all round plant for a decoration for the table Is asparagus plemo sus its foliage Is tar far daintier than any other fern it rt can easily be made to grow in the bushy compact form which a plant designed tor for use on the able table should have pinch off the ends of the young fronds when they have made a growth of 12 or 18 inches this causes the lower side branches to spread out broadly and thus breadth Is secured where there would be little it if the plant were allowed to train itself long stem flowers can be thrust through its filmy green foliage if add ed beauty la is needed but there are few ferns comparable to this filmy lacy fern forn thi thia plant requires a soil of gar den loam made light with sand water moderately for its successful culture sunshine Is not necessary keep the red spider from injuring I 1 it t and shower several times a week a foot or two square to the bottom 01 ol a piece of 4 by 4 inch scantling place a handle at the top and go over the lawn pounding it down flat and even you will not hurt the sods by pounding if the surface Is thoroughly soft from s 8 heavy rain or a thorough watering A good lawn may be made trob fron seeding it takes much longer to pro duce a permanent grassy lawn th the seed must be sown thickly and worked thoroughly and evenly into the soil it is a good idea it if trees and shrubs do not interfere to plow the ground or spade it fine smooth and compact before sowing the seed be sure the soil has been made rich with becom posed manure or very rich soil hauler in from some other place seed at intervals of about six weeks from early spring until late bummel in the yard with open and tree shel spaces keep the surface mowed clean and short so that the youn yount grass will have a chance to grow after grass gets to be two or three inches high there Is little danger ol 01 killing it by frequent mowing mom ring it if toi fol no other reason than to keep dowa the weeds mowing Is essential mow ing also helps to level the lawn flit mower acting as a light roller th the clippings from the lawn make a good mulch for young plants no mattel matter what the weather wet or dry do nol no neglect to mow your lawn if you wish it to be the thing of beauty it can be it if cared tor for nip off the end of each shoot and make the plant spread out well pots of homan roman hyacinths and lilies of the valley and narcissus make charming adjuncts to the breakfast break tasi table few plants can be kept on th the table day after day without becoming unhealthy have a shelf in your win dow and give the flowers a change using one only for a day or two and changing to something different this gives them all a fair chance at the sunshine and light several types of begonia make sue plants tor for the table the eloire de do lorraine Lorr alne whose flowers cover the plant are of an exquisite pink which artificial light seems t make more vivid FOR ROSE MILDEW for rose mildew spraying with sul bhide of potassium using one bunco to three gallons of water is mud nine more effective than the old tash lone method of dusting the foliage ditl flowers of sulphur for blight slight in pans es stir lime and sulphur into the sol when blight attacks pansies hemovi the affected plants and burn them I 1 the blight continues best make a nev bed elsewhere spread lime and all sul chur freely on the old bed and stir i 1 well into the soil 41 2 fx if you desire a particularly attractive centerpiece for occasions arrange flowers in a low flat bowl as illustrated |