1873.] BRITISH FERNS. 85 



LAWIT FROM SEED. 



Now that croquet has become such a fashionable amusement, all who can must 

 have their croquet lawn ; and as turf is not always obtainable, by attending to 

 the following directions a very good lawn may be had, instead of the beds of 

 weeds and tufts of grass too often seen. 



The essential jjoint, by this mode, is to have the ground thoroughly clean, 

 level, and firm, and in the choice of grasses suited to the soil and situation. 

 Dig it over as early as convenient, as the longer it lies before being sown it has 

 the less chance of subsiding afterwards. Roll it several times, when drj^-, dur- 

 ing the winter and early spring, and fill up the hollows until the surface is level. 

 About the beginning of March, or sooner if dry, rake it fine, and let it lie until 

 the weeds germinate, when it should be carefully hoed. By doing this, we would 

 hear fewer complaints against seedsmen for sending weeds instead of grass. 



The following quantities are sufficient for an acre, but by using more seed, a 

 close turf is formed sooner. The first or second week of April is a very good 

 time to sow : — 



Names of Grasses. 



Agrostis vulgaris (fine Bent grass), . 



Trisetum flavescens (yellowish Oat-grass), 



Cynosurus cristatus (crested Dog's-tail), . 



Festuca duriuscida (hard Fescue), 



Festuca ovina tenuifolia (fine-leaved Fescue), 



Poa nemoralis (Wood-Meadow-grass) , 



P. nemoralis sempervirens (Evergreen do.), 



P. trivialis (rough-stalked Meadow-grass), 



P. trivialis parviflora, . .... 



Trifolium repens (white Clover), 



T. filiforme (slender yellow Clover), . 



46 50 51 50 



The above mixture may be modified to suit circumstances. For very dry places, 

 use more of the Agrostis and both Fescues, and less of the others in proportion ; 

 and also by observing those which do best naturally in the district. In most 

 of the Lawn-mixtures that I have seen, nearly one-half is E,ye-grass. About the 

 most that can be said in its favour is that it grows fast, a quality that is not 

 wanted on a lawn, however desirable on the farm. Besides, it is not a permanent 

 grass, as may be seen by examining any old pasture, when it will be found that 

 the Rye-grass has disappeared and its place is occupied by others of a more perma- 

 nent character. But whether its disappearance is caused by natural selection, 

 or the short-lived nature of the plant, I cannot say ; but that such is the case, 

 is a fact of which any one can easily satisfy himself. 



To insure a good turf, keep it always short, especially the first year. 

 Kelso. A. B. 



BRITISH FERNS. 

 During the last quarter of a century. Ferns have become very general favour- 

 ites in the decorations of rockeries, in many odd corners, under trees, and by 

 waterfalls, where they can have a regular moist atmosphere, distilling its sweet 



