1884.] 



EDITORS BOX. 



437 



PLANTING OF GBASSY SUBFACES. 



ITl, — It seems to be acceded to in the antagonistic opinions 

 of your several correspondents in the recent controversy con- 

 cerning the paring of grassy surfaces previous to planting, that 

 grass does not grow rank in elevated zones — to which I willingly 

 assent. Bat then the question arises, in what place and in what soil 

 does grass begin to assume the semblance of raukness ? And the 

 simple answer to this question, I think, is : In low latitudes, in genial 

 chmates, and in moderately deep and encouraging soils. To be sure, 

 we have seen beautiful and luxuriant grasses growing far up the 

 hillsides, and even green and fairly good pasture to the summit ; and 

 this is so, not alone in isolated, but in many parts common to all the 

 country. Nevertheless one or more of the conditions aforementioned 

 are indispensable to that end. 



Mr. Scott's answer to ' Bannockburn's ' demurrer with respect 

 to the paring of grassy surfaces prior to planting such surfaces, 

 is not, so far as the evidence adduced, convincing of its necessity. 

 Still, he maintains, that erasure of the grassy turf is a necessity 

 to the well-being of the plant, and that the expense incurred 

 at the time by so doing is more than reimbursed by the result 

 ulteriorly. Besides his own opinions — opinions which I greatly and 

 most sincerely respect, and can generally accept them without hesita- 

 tion as authentic — he moreover quotes from actual official examination 

 to strengthen and corroborate his opinions, for, says he, ' Very recently 

 I had occasion to pass over a considerable extent of ground, planted 

 a year or two ago, where neither paring nor pitting had been resorted 



2 G 



