Few things in nature are more beauti ssful than a lovely velvety lawn, a in well cultivated, free from weeds and unsightly rough grass. A neglected lawn spoils the beauty of an otherw pretty garden. It shows carelessness lack of interest on the part of the own

In early spring the lawns should have been thoroughly weeded, de-wormed and artificial fertilizer given according to directions, about three times in spring (once every four or five weeks, during a rainy spell) and after the grass was growing well a dressing of sulphate of ammonia given (a tablespoonful to a full gallon of water) sufficient to enrich the colour and aid growth. All lawns, so cultivated, were in splendid condition until this terrific heat threatened to leave them a burnt mass. Fortunately a typhoon with its long hoped for rain broke the spell, and the parched earth drank in the delicious refreshing life. giving showers. And not only plants but animals and all humans began to live again.

It has been a difficult season for the gardeners. After watering early and late they have been almost too exhausted even to cut away the faded blooms or sweep all the cobwebs off the bushes. However, work must be attended to.

Autumn Preparations : Seeds ordered will soon b arriving. Sowing boxes and seedling beds must be prepared as late August, all of September and part of October form a busy seed-sowing period. In October and November we plant bulbs and sweetpeas, while by the end of October the conservatories must be cleaned, if neces'sary, painted, and all repairs made, so that tender seedlings may have their shelter ready for them.

Chrysanthemums and dahlias will need feeding. Chry'santhemums can be given liquid dressings of sulphate of ammonia from now on, but care must be taken to avoid burning the leaves. Once a week is not too often, and, later when the plants are full grown, oftener.

For the touch of blue in the spring garden few flowers are lovelier than the various blue tinted larkspur. The chief colours in nature we find are green, red and yellow. Blue is rare, doubtless because the heavens in summer spread so much azure blue over the green earth. Blue flowers, according to legend, carry a bit of the blue of the sky within themselves. The magic flowers of the Fairy Tales are of a heavenly supernatural blue colour.

The Larkspur: Among the most beautiful and favourite garden flowers is the larkspur (Delphinium). Unfortunately too many of the old varieties are often mixed with the more desirable ones. The colours of such are mixed and faded, and the plants wilt asily, their stems being too light to bear the weight of the flowerlets. But, due to the perseverance of the horticulturist, there are to-day a number of varieties of a clear blue colour which are proof against mould and ordinary heat, wind and rain. They bloom from the lowest blossom to the highest on the upright stalks. With care and much cultivation and a rich soil ordinary larkspur seedlings develop rapidly into beautiful plants. And, if the faded blooms are cut off, they will bloom for several months. In May their bright blue forms a beautiful compliment to the delicate pink of climbing roses, or amongst Easter lilies or sweet alyssum. Many beautiful combinations can be thought out.

Botanist claims that larkspur will thrive with care for forty or fifty years. Its full beauty is developed between its third and fourth year. The hardy perennial larkspur is the delphinium, some of which attain five feet in height and are glorious for massing in the hackground. Their lovely hues, ranging from soft rosy blues to pale lavenders and indigo, have been selected and reselected until such almost perfect specimens have been found in the "Blackmore" and "Langdon Hybrids." The white varieties, if planted among the blue, enhance the beauty of the latter. Rich earth, well cultivated and fertilized occaeionally, should produce beautiful rows of heavenly blue larkspurs and delphiniums. They are hardy. The seeds should not be covered too thickly. Softly sifted earth, well firmed and well drained, is all the seedlings require.

The dwarf larkspur is an ornament in the rock garden. The dwarf blue Chinese variety, if kept cut, will produce many short stalks and remain in bloom over a longer period. The larkspur is the blue flower of romance, a symbol of heaven's beauty.

Seed Sowing: From the end of August to well into September many flower seeds can be sown. Have the beds or seed boxes prepared, the soil well cultivated and enriched. The soil must be finely sifted else seeds have difficulty in establishing themselves. Among flower seeds sown now for next spring blooming we have anchusa, antirrhinum, aquilegia, autretia, canterbury bells, cornflowers, coreopsis, cheiranthus, clarkia, summer clirysanthemums, daisies, shasta daisies, dicanthus pinks, delphiniums, digitalis, godetia, gypsophila, gaillardia, hollyhocks, eschscholtzia, larkspur, lupins, linum, myosotis, nicotine, nemophila, nigella, penstemon, poppies, pansies, phlox, sweetpeas, stocks, 'salpiglossis, violas, verbenas and sweet williams.

For the kitchen garden the following vegetables may be sown: early carrots, French and kidney beans, beetroot, leeks, early green peas, lettuce, endive, radishes, potatoes, Swiss chard, parsnips, turnips and spinach.

L. L.