A Great change of taste is manifest in the last few years in the management of city grounds. Formerly the chief object seemed to be to crowd into a small space as many trees - principally evergreens - as could possibly grow, thus shutting from the house the sunlight, and preventing the growth of grass. Nothing could well be more dreary and funereal than such a door-yard. Now, when the space is small, it is wholly given to grass - so beautiful and so refreshing to the eye. The introduction of the lawn mower has made green sward possible, which, if not as velvety as the English lawn - the envy of all American travelers - is yet very beautiful and satisfactory. The first and indispensable requisite for a city yard is a smooth and compact sward. This can only be secured by sodding. No matter how carefully the ground is prepared, nor how skillfully and plentifully sown with grass seed, it will require a long time, if ever, to cover the ground completely with grass by this method. Do not be deterred from sodding by the expense, for it is the only way in which a satisfactory result can be secured. ' To give full effect to 8ward, considerable space is required. This has been attained largely in our city by the removal of division fences between contiguous lots.

So magical have been the effects produced by this simple device, that the wonder is, that it was not thought of and resorted to long ago. By the removal of long rows of unsightly fences, whole squares have been thrown into one lawn, and the grounds of dwellings, which before looked mean and contracted, now appear suitable and ample. How much it would add to the attractiveness of our city, if, wherever it is suitable, division fences were removed. Aside from the increased beauty, there is something pleasing in the very idea of their removal. It seems to proclaim to every passer that kindly feeling and good neighborhood prevail in that locality. I recollect once seeing between adjoining lots two hostile fences a few inches apart, hurling defiance at each other and proclaiming that malice and all uncharita-bleness abode there. Who could pass such a place without a shudder? It has been objected that, by the removal of fences, the danger of injury from stray cows and hogs is increased. This may be true, but how long will the people of Dayton submit to have our streets made a pasture for cows and hogs? We have an excellent law on the subject, and it only requires a little nerve to have it enforced.

The small minor -ity in a city like Dayton keep cows, and they should be compelled to fence them in, and not require the large majority to fence them out. Who has not had bitter experience of trees broken and flowers trampled by breachy cows? An experience of this kind, which, occurred years ago, I recollect vividly to this day. A novice in horticulture, and wishing to plant a number of dwarf pear trees, I determined it should be done according to the books. The trees were procured from Rochester. The holes were dug three feet in diameter and two feet deep. A compost was prepared of the most approved kind, including bone dust. The trees were planted, and I retired to dream of the luscious pears that at no distant day were to regale myself and friends. The very night the work was completed (it had required several days), a cow broke in, and the first sight that greeted my eyes next morning, was the Irishman who had assisted in the planting indulging in an extravagant pantomime of rage and disgust, as he pointed to the stubs of my once beautiful trees. In many parts of the State the law is enforced. In Cleveland, the gates of the fine places on Euclid avenue stand wide open, and the liberal owners invite all well-behaved people to walk in and enjoy their beauty.

All that wealth and skill can grow of choice and beautiful flowers, massed and grouped to produce the most exquisite effects, are freely open to the inspection of strangers. This willingness that the public should enjoy our floral treasures with us is an American trait. The garden of an Englishman is a paradise of fruits and flowers, but no eye but that of himself or friend ever feasts on its beauties. An ugly wall of brick or stone faces the street, and shuts from view all that is within. What a contrast in this respect between Montreal and Cleveland! The absence of fences makes common for the enjoyment of all the green grass and flowers. Shall this great boon be sacrificed for a few wandering cows and hogs?

In small yards, no trees should be planted.

There can be no more beautiful object than a fine evergreen or group of evergreens on an extensive lawn; nor can anything be more out of keeping than such a tree in a contracted place, where it has no room to develop half its beauty. Many persons crowd their grounds with small trees, with the purpose of removing them when they grow to disproportionate size. Yet, who ever cut down a fine tree without a heart pang? Once planted, they are permitted to stand when they are out of place and an eyesore. Shrubs and bushes may be used with good effect, if skillfully disposed, but there is quite as much danger of overcrowding with them as with trees. What a ragged appearance a door yard presents, where, every few feet, a rose bush or spirea breaks the turf into fragments. We need not seek for rare or costly varieties to produce the finest effects. The Spireas, the Deutzia, the Weigelia, the Persian Lilac, the Japan Quince, and other old and thoroughly tested kinds, can be readily procured at reasonable rates, and will answer very well. Among the small trees, there is none so striking as the magnolia, because of its showy flowers and its early blooming, coming before all others.

Unfortunately, the finest of the magnolias, "Grandiflora," is too tender for our climate; but several varieties are as hardy as the oak. "Purpurea," "Con-spicua " and "Soulangeana " have all been tested in Dayton, and have succeeded perfectly.

Rose bushes, ordinarily, should be planted in beds, and not as single bushes. The effect produced in this way is much finer, and the winter protection easier, as a half dozen bushes grouped can be covered with little more labor than one standing singly. For constant bloom throughout the season, the Hybrid Perpetuals cannot be relied on. Their perfect hardiness and reputation as bloomers have made them popular, but they cannot be called constant bloomers. If you would have continuous bloom from June till November, you must plant the Bourbon, China and Tea roses. It is true they require winter protection in our climate, but the trouble of this is so small that it is hardly worth mentioning. No one who has seen the fine bed of roses blooming all summer in Mrs. Eaker's yard, at the corner of Third and Ludlow streets, would begrudge the small expense and trouble of protection which they require.

The secret of success in the cultivation of flowers, by persons of moderate means and no special skill in floriculture, is not to at-tempt too much. A few varieties, well chosen and carefully cultivated, will give far more satisfaction than many kinds overcrowded and not properly cared for. A single variety, as the scarlet geranium, the verbena, or the petunia, massed in a circular bed cut out in the turf, is very showy and striking. For bouquets, a few varieties will suffice. A comparatively small place planted with roses, scarlet and rose geraniums, heliotrope, verbenas, feverfew, Sweet alyssum, lobelia and mignonette, will produce a bouquet every day to adorn the table or present to a friend. Many of the old varieties are unsurpassed for beauty and sweetness, and are yet so common that they can be had almost for the asking. What flower can be more beautiful and fragrant than the Lily of the Valley, and yet it can be easily procured, and requires little or no care in cultivation. One is perfectly bewildered by a florist's catalogue, and the temptation is strong to multiply varieties. A new flower with a high-sounding name, and represented by a gorgeous picture as possessing all the tints of the rainbow, is too much for us.

We wish to astonish our neigh- bors, and buy at a high price only to find, in nine cases out of ten, that the flower does not come up to the picture, or is unsuited to our soil and climate. It is unsafe to trust to big names in purchasing by catalogue, for perchance we may And that, under some high-sounding name, we have bought an old, and perhaps despised, acquaintance. The " bellis perennis hortensis " would turn out to be the daisy; the " amaranthus hy-pooondriacus" the prince's feather; the " antirrhinum majus " the snap dragon; the " chciranthus cheiri vulgaris " the common wall flower, and so on. It is better to purchase of our own florists, rather than go abroad. We thus buy of friends and neighbors who have a claim upon our patronage, and possess the double advantage of seeing what we buy and of having a responsible party to look to in case of failure.

I would not for a moment be understood as undervaluing or discouraging the cultivation of new and costly varieties of flowers For one who has abundant means and can employ a gardener, or possesses the necessary skill himself, there can be no more delightful or praiseworthy pursuit. He is a public benefactor and worthy of thanks who adds to our floral treasures, and by liberal expenditure of money procures new and choice flowers, not merely for his own gratification, but that every eye may be feasted with their beauty. It will be apparent to all that the object of my essay hag not been to instruct the skillful horticulturist, or to make new suggestions, but simply to show how any one who possesses a small piece of ground, by the exercise of taste and a small expenditure of money, may make it beautiful and attractive, and enjoy, as well as his rich neighbor, the lovely tints and fragrance of flowers.