THE FLOBAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



WEEDS ON LAWNS. 



[HE beauty of a grass plot or lawn is so much dependent 

 on its being free from weeds, that I think my commentary 

 would be incomplete if a few observations were not 

 made on this branch of my theme. I have sometimes 

 seen operations upon a large scale in order to eradicate 

 moss; but I think, that unless excessive in quantity, it forms a 

 luxurious carpet, and in extensive grounds is useful to cover the 

 surface where little else can grow. In the more distant aud seques- 

 tered portion of pleasure grounds, I prefer the mossy bank, overhung 

 with umbrageous foliage ; but in the formal quadrangles of mansions 

 and colleges, neither moss nor weeds should grow. Such plots, 

 with the margins of walks in terraces, their slopes, and the formal 

 patches of grass, which frequently form part of a design, should be 

 free from moss, daisies, and all broad-leaved plants, including the 

 coarser grasses, such as the Couch-grass (Triticum repens), and the 

 Cocksfoot (Dacti/lis glomerata). There is no plant which detracts 

 so much from the beauty of our English lawns as the common 

 Daisy (Bellis perennis) . Sorry am I to lay such a charge upon this 

 " modest, crimson-tipped flower," associated as it is with our happy 

 recollections of childhood, when all that was gay and pleasant seemed 

 made for us alone, and we dreamed not that the same field which 

 yielded us daisies and buttercups, produced also nettles and thistles. 

 But while I would do it ample justice as a wild flower, which — 



" Opens with perennial grace, 

 And blossoms everywhere," 



I confess to have found it my greatest plague, particularly in the 

 earlier spriug and summer months ; after the lawns have been neatly 

 mown, " swept and garnished," a few hours of sun have studded 

 them with these flowers, producing a frittered effect, and destroying 

 that agreeable contrast which a well-kept lawn always gives to 

 masses°of flowers, particularly those of a scarlet colour. In gardens 

 where there are many large trees, the better grasses will not thrive, 

 but even if annually renewed, as annually perish; in such places the 

 daisy and moss alone will thrive, aud therefore in all such spots I 

 would not disturb them, but take their verdure as the best instal- 

 ment we can have for the effect of turf. On the contrary, wherever 

 level open spaces prevail, more particularly in scenes which are 

 highly artistic, the daisy has no place. The quadrangles of the 

 colleges at Oxford have long been celebrated for the beauty of their 

 grass-plots ; and I remember that at All Souls' College I have seen 

 the most perfect specimen of a well-kept lawn I ever beheld ; not a 

 daisy, or broad-leaved plant of any kind, but one uniform, dark 

 green, velvety surface, such a one as perfectly accorded with the 

 artificial expression of the venerable buildings, and was evidence 

 of the design and influence of highly civilized and erudite men. 

 Beautiful as were the daisies and golden dandelions of our childhood, 



December. 



