332 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



that gravel and sand may be clothed for the production of a living 

 carpet that will last for ever. It is, however, on a deep loam or a 

 clay that has been well tilled, that the best example of grass turf is 

 to be looked for, and on such land we should prefer to operate, were 

 it required of us to present the best possible example of making and 

 keeping a garden lawn. 



In the formation of a lawn, all levels must be carefully deter- 

 mined, and the ground thoroughly well-prepared, that there may be 

 no waste of labour in alterations afterwards. In the case of laying 

 fresh turf on the site of an exhausted plot, from which bad turf has 

 been removed, a heavy dressing of good manure should be dug in, 

 for grass needs nourishment in common with all other plants. 

 The last act of preparation consists in spreading over the level 

 ground about an inch depth of fine earth, which is to be distributed 

 evenly, and every stone removed by means of the rake. Then we 

 approach an important question — which is best, turf or seeds ? In 

 any and every case, turf is to be preferred, for upon the instant of 

 its being laid and rolled, the lawn is formed, and there is an end of 

 the matter. Two considerations give interest to this question — the 

 cost of turf is necessarily far in excess of the cost of seeds, and it 

 may happen that turf is not to be obtained within reasonable carting 

 distance. Supposing the amateur to have a choice of means and 

 materials, our advice would be in favour of the purchase of the best 

 turf possible, for any extent of ground under one acre ; but when 

 we get beyond an acre, with every increase of extent the argu- 

 ment in favour of seeds increases in force, for the cutting and cart- 

 ing of turf is a somewhat costly business. In selecting turf for a 

 garden, give the preference to that which is of close texture, contain- 

 ing a fair sprinkling of clover intermixed with the finer grasses. 

 We have formed many lawns from meadow turf, which in the first 

 instance appeared far too coarse, and they have in the course of 

 three years' acquired a beautiful texture fit for the foot of a princess 

 in a fairy tale. Grass turf may be laid at any time during favour- 

 able weather, but the autumn is to be preferred, because of the long 

 season of growth the newly-laid turf will have to aid in its establish- 

 ment before being tried by the summer sun. If laid in the spring, 

 grass usually passes through the first summer safely, but is of 

 necessity exposed to the risk of being roasted ; in the event of a hot, 

 dry summer the risk is greater in the case of turf laid late, than than 

 of turf laid early. When the work is deferred until the season of 

 spring showers is past, it will be advisable to spread over the turf a 

 coat of good manure, and keep it regularly and liberally watered 

 until showers occur. 



In selecting seeds, the character of the soil must be taken into 

 consideration, for a mixture that would suit a clay or loam would 

 not equally well suit a gravel or chalk soil. The seedsmen who 

 make a " speciality " of grass seeds will for any given case supply a 

 better mixture than anyone unskilled in the matter could obtain, 

 even if acting on the advice of a botanist or gardener. As, however, 

 prescriptions are occasionally required by seedsmen who have not 

 had extensive experience, we shall append to this chapter a few for 



