I have yours of yesterday.

If we are to have a very dry month, as you apprehend, would {it} not be useless to hasten to sow the seed? We gain nothing by having it in the ground, while, by a further process of harrowing, rolling, harrowing, picking and raking we shall gain much. I leave the determination to your discretion, only again, begging you to keep in mind that upon the refinement of the last [147] process before seeding depends the value of all the rest of our work. If seeding fails it can be done over again but when once seeded we are not likely to improve the lights and shades of the surface or give greater fineness and evenness of quality to the pap of our rootlets. I have always urged carelessness (cheapness of process and wholesale quality of superintendence) in the preparation of the ground up to this point because it is better and more economical to remedy all defects so occurring and to secure delicacy in one or two weeks of finishing work than to be always at it. Now, however, too much attention to detail—too much pains and refinemnt—cannot be taken.

There are two things to be secured, fine modelling, and fine tilth. As to the first it is so much a matter of constant local review of the work as it advances by the educated eye and artistic sense that I have nothing to say. The only danger is that with everything else you have the work will proceed too fast for you—will be run away with. I have only one thing to remind you of—what I wrote last spring & which was then forgotten. Take care that the spread of roots of each tree is fairly to be seen above ground and that the surface slightly falls from, never toward, each tree. If this rule is intelligently adhered to, (here a very slight, then a long and stronger slope according as space gives opportunity) the combination of curves that will (mechanically) result will be always pleasing. Thus the rule will save much consideration for this purpose. But be sure to fix in the mind of the graders that this rule is to be carried out never by heaping up about the trees, but always by combing out vallies between them, surplus soil to be carted away. I am sure there is still room for some improvement in this respect in the North plantation.

As to the tilth, you know that, except among close-planted trees, I would insist on having the greater part of the work done by the process the efficiency of which you have so thoroughly experienced: horses jumping with the harrow and frightened boys following them; the roller following as long as it crushes the lumps the harrow cannot be made to knock to powder. This is simply to save the necessity of spending as much time as would otherwise be necessary in the more costly process of pulverizing by the hand rake. Hand raking and perhaps here & there a little hand shovelling will be needed at last for the finish, but not much of it if men can be got to work briskly; it being quick action not strength that is required.

If you feel satisfied with the seeding of the South plantation let it stand. With a little patching here and there I think it likely that it will do, the weather having been so favorable since I examined it.

If you wish to seed before October, let me know as soon as you think that the surface will be satisfactory and I will, if I can, run on and inspect it. I am more anxious about it than anything else that remains to be done.

If you sow and, especially, if the seed barely or in part germinates before the occurrence of a drought you will have the worst condition to be anticipated. You must then be prepared to water finely and sedulously—an expensive operation which I hope will not happen to be necessary.

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It would be desirable, with reference to a rapid early developmnt of roots, to sow with or upon the grass seeds, some fine quickly stimulating manure. You can judge by consultation with your seedsman or Mr Smith what can best be bought, at this time in Washington, for the purpose & what would be a moderate top dressing.

One of the commercial mixtures of Peruvian Guano and Sup. Phosphate of lime—if you can feel confidence against being cheated, would answer. For convenience of sowing and in order to secure adequate division & distribution it may be mixed with fine dry loam.

Excuse prolixity and repetition. This is a part of the business in which you have no professional knowledge or interest but in which my professional interest culminates.

Radford will tomorrow send you sketch for gas pipe. I should feel much better satisfied to have had it made with the benefit of a plan of the adjoining lighting on streets and the East grounds.