G R A 



G R A 



smooth surface will be provijcii, so as to be able 

 to mow close, even, and more cxpcdilioush'. 



In llicrollingol'sliort Gia>s-ground, it should 

 he performed occasionally witli a wuotlcn roller, 

 ancl a heavy iron or stone roller : the wooden 

 roller is proper after poling, to clean up the worm - 

 casts and smooth the surface, being pcrform- 

 cil wlicn the surface is not very wet, especially 

 if full of worm-casts, as it would otherwise 

 piaster and daub the gras-s, and render it un- 

 sightly; the heavy iron or stone m^ r should be 

 used occasionally, when the surface is dry, to 

 press down all inequalities close, so as toprc- 

 serve a fniu, even, smooth surface. And in rine- 

 kcpt short Grass-grounds, the rolling should be 

 j>crformed occasionally a day or Iwo before niow- 

 mg, to settle ibc surface lirni and smooth, which 

 greatly contributes to the easy and exact per- 

 forinance of the work: the business of rolling in 

 small or but moderately large short Grass-grounds 

 is mostly performed by men ; but in very cxtei\- 

 sive grounds, it is sometimes done by a horse ; 

 having a large roller for the purpose, with shafts 

 like a cart, and the horse at the time wearing a 

 sort of leather shoes, very broad atbottdm, made 

 so as to lace on occasionally like men's hulf-boots, 

 to prevent his feet cutting the surface in holts, 

 and rendering it uneven. 



Wiicre short Grass-grounds are defaced by wild 

 daisies, dandelion, or other weeds, the first may 

 be removed by having the blade of an old broatl- 

 sword fixed in the end of a long pliable pole, which, 

 as it cuts both ways, by sweeping it backwards 

 and forwards it will head down the daisies at a 

 great pace; which maybe repeated two or three 

 times a week, or as often as there may be occasion. 

 The others should be extirpated by means of 

 an iron for the purpose, made in the form of a 

 small docking-iron. 



^ In the autumn-tinishing mowings, the grass 

 should be generally cut down as close and even 

 as possible, that the sward may remain in a neat 

 even surface over the winter sciison. 



These directions for the management of short 

 ornamental Grass-grounds regard only such as are 

 required to be kept constantly short, close, and 

 even in the surface, as is necessary in the principal 

 law ns, plats, walks, and other divisions, situated 

 within the limits of the main pleasure-ground. 

 In the outward considerably extended districts 

 continued into lields, parks, kcit is notnecessary 

 to have them cut so frequently; two or three 

 common mowings in a summer, with occasional 

 rollings afterwards, may be sufficient. 



GRAVEL, a small stonv substance made use of 

 for the purpose of constructing roads, walks, 

 and paths. Walks formed of this material 

 arc great oruaments to gardens and pleasure- 



grounds, as well as useful for common walkiiiij 

 upon. 



Tile best Gravel for these purposes, is thai 

 w hich is naturally composed of irregular pebbles 

 and tli.iis, having a moderate projioriiun of a 

 yellowish or brownish sandy loam, to make it 

 bind, and give colour: it is obtained in (ields 

 and commons in many parts, at from one to 

 three or four feet under the surface, though 

 not equally good in all parts in respect to qnality 

 and colour; some having a greater or lesser |iro- 

 portion of pebbles, a larger or smaller propor- 

 tion of loam, which is more or less sandv rr 

 clayey : it is the ci>!our of the loam principally 

 wbieh coiibtitutes the beauty of Gravel-walks ; 

 that of a deepish yellow or reddish colour be- 

 ing the most elisible, as when formed into well- 

 laid walksand rolled, it has an exceedingly beau- 

 tiful and ornamental efleet. Where such Gravel 

 can be procured within a moderate distance, and 

 easy expense, it ispreferable toall others; in some 

 parts, Gravel is of an iron-mould colour, or of a 

 dusky-brown hue; which may nevertheless be of 

 a proper quality for walks, where the colour is 

 disregarded. 



Whatever colour the Gravel may have, its 

 proper quality for walks is, a due proportion of 

 moderate, light, sandy loam, to make it bind 

 close and lirmatall seasons; but not so redundant, 

 or so clayey, as to be clammy and stick to the 

 feet in wet weather, or so sharp and sandy as 

 to become open and loose in ilry weather. 



In some places, no other Gravel is met with 

 but such as is very loose, sandy, or pebbly, and 

 which has scarcely any binding materials amongst 

 it ; which kind never of itself binds, but always 

 remains open and loose, being at all times dis- 

 agreeable to walk on : this, tTiereforc, must be 

 mended by a mixture of light sandy loam, where 

 practicable, adding about one load to every two 

 or three of Gravel, casting them together, and 

 turning them over two or three times, that they 

 may be well blended and incorporated; and this, 

 when formed into a walk, will often bind close, 

 firm, and smooth at all seasons. 



In preparing the Gravel for walks, it should 

 not by any means be finely screened, as is often 

 the practice : as it is dug out of the pit, it is only 

 necessary to east it up in a heap, or long ridge, all 

 such large rough pebbles only as roll down be- 

 ing cleared away ; as if screened from the stones, 

 it partakes too nuich of the loam, so as always 

 to stick to the feet at every flash of r*in. 



Ill purchasing Gravel for walks, it is mostly 

 from about two to five or six shillings or more per 

 cartload for three horses ; though the price diners 

 greatly in diflerent parts, and according (o the 

 aature of the Gravel. 



3H e 



