228 THE GARDENER. [May 



lawn produced by turfs, while it will be far more permanent, and at much less 

 expense. 



It will sometimes happen that annual weeds indigenous to the soil come up ; 

 these can easily be checked, if not destroyed, by mowing them off as soon as they 

 make their appearance. Plantain, Dandelions, and Daisies too, will often appear, 

 and these must be cut up each one singly about an inch below the surface (not 

 deeper), and about a teaspoonful of cut salt dropped over the part. Birds are 

 very fond of grass seeds, and care should be taken to keep them off until the Beeds 

 are well up. 



For lawns requiring improvement, it is only necessary to sow fresh seed either 

 in the spring or autumn, using a small -tooth rake, and rolling afterwards. Moss 

 in lawns is generally a sign of poorness in the soil, or a want of drainage ; to effect 

 its removal, we advise, after raking off as much moss as possible, a top-dressing 

 of quicklime mixed with rich compost, applied in the winter, and a sowing of 

 more seed in the spring ; or a top-dressing of soot will, by encouraging the growth 

 of grass, destroy the moss. This should be applied in the spring, at the rate of 

 about 16 bushels per acre. 



On croquet or cricket grounds, where the turf has become bare through con- 

 stant use, we advise a thick sowing of seed on the bare spots in September or 

 early in March, rolling subsequently, and mowing as soon afterwards as practicable. 

 A slight dressing of manure over the whole playing square will often be found 

 beneficial in encouraging the growth of finer kinds of grasses, and help to produce 

 a close-growing turf. We should not omit to mention that here, as in fine gar- 

 den lawns, mowing alone will not insure a good bottom without that compres- 

 sion which a roller alone can give. — Sutton & Sons' Amateurs' Guide. 



THE ARCHIMEDEAN LAWN - MOWER. 



By way of indicating what from a trial we have found to be highly serviceable, 

 and therefore worthy of commendation, we here present an illustration of this 

 very useful garden requisite. For small villa gardens it appears to be peculiarly 

 adapted, both because it can be used by the proprietor without the intervention 

 of a labourer, and also because of its fitness for places where there is only a small 

 piece of grass lawn. 



It is of American origin, and quite original in character, differing from all 

 other lawn-mowers. "It is a very simple machine to look at, and a very little 

 affair altogether, yet it is so constructed that it will cut grass in almost any con- 

 dition, and of any height." It is pushed along by the operator, not drawn, as in 

 the case of other machines. "When the details of the machine are examined, its 

 difference from all others is at once perceived, for there are no guiding rollers ; 

 instead thereof there is a fiat iron sole on either side, which slides along on the 

 grass. The cut of the mower, which is about 14 inches in width, consists of a 

 knife made in the form of an Archimedean screw, which revolves with great 

 rapidity, and does its work well. Unlike other mowing-machines, it does not 

 collect the cut grass, but simply scatters the blades evenly about the sward. Sup- 

 posing the grass be cut at short intervals, this is of small moment, as the cut 

 grass would soon wither ; at any rate, the process of sweeping the grass would 

 occasion but little labour. 



The cutter- bar can be altered as desired by means of a small screw-nut, which 



