282 HORTl'S GRAMINEUS W OB U RN ENSIS. 



not always be convenient to allow so large a proportion of 

 turf for plants to the acre. In that case, either the plants 

 may be reduced or the distances apart extended. 



The process for the second case, or when the field from 

 which the turf is to be taken for transplanting is intended to 

 remain in permanent pasture, is as follows: — the gauge of 

 the paring plough may be set at nine inches, as before 

 directed, but the wing of the share should be turned up at 

 six inches, and, being made very sharp, will cut the turf on 

 that side, while the coulter (also made sharp) will cut the 

 turf on the other side ; and the flat of the share will turn 

 the turf out six inches wide, leaving ribs of grass three 

 inches wide uncut. The cut turf being removed, the 

 plough, set at the same gauge, is then drawn across the 

 field, at right angles to its former direction, and cross-cut- 

 ting the uncut ribs of grass, will leave patches of grass three 

 inches square in each angle, consequently the same number 

 of plants to the acre as before stated in the calculation for 

 transplanting. After the turf is removed the field should 

 have a good top-dressing, not less than thirty or forty loads 

 per acre, of compost manure, or good vegetable mould. If 

 the natural turf is deficient in any particular species of 

 valuable grasses, the seeds of those should be sown at the 

 proper season after the top-dressing is spread ; after this the 

 surface should be repeatedly well rolled. The turf will soon 

 unite, and in many instances will be found materially im- 

 proved from its former state, particularly so where the turf 

 had been previously hide-bound, or mossed. 



The turf may also be taken out of the grass-field in narrow 

 ribs, suppose three inches wide only, leaving three inches 

 uncut ; then with a top-dressing of compost, and the ground 

 thoroughly well rolled, the turf soon unites, and the herbage 

 will be greatly improved. In the operative part of trans- 

 planting turf, particular attention is required in carefully 

 turning the flag with its grass-side up, and in pressing the 

 plants well into the ground ; for if the roots of the plants 

 are left exposed to the vicissitudes of winter weather, they 

 will certainly be injured in a material degree. The whole 

 process should therefore be effected with all possible expe- 



