Preparation of the Land 33 



two or three seasons of growth, when the roots have worked 

 through the soil to the surface, this space may be filled in 

 with safety. 



If the covering of soil is over only a part of the roots of 

 the tree, as in Fig. 12, the roots coming to the surface on 

 one side, little injury need be feared unless there is a great 

 depth of soil about the trunk, in which case the 'Svell" 

 should be made. 



It is very difficult to make grass grow to great perfection 

 under the shade of trees and where the tree-roots fill the 

 ground, and the main dependence must be on surface-dress- 

 ing with rich soil or compost and frequent seeding. 



The Lawn 



Upon no one thing does so much depend in making 

 beautiful home grounds as upon a good lawn, and after 

 the buildings and the preliminary grading are completed 

 come the smoothing up and preparation of the soil for the 

 grass carpet or ^' groundwork^' of the home-picture, with- 

 out which no picture, whether on canvas or made of living 

 plant-growths, is complete. 



A good lawn cannot be made except on a rich soil, and 

 if this is not the natural character of the land in hand the 

 first thing to do is to make it rich and as deep as possible. 



MANURING THE LAWN 



Where the land is free from stumps, stones, or other 

 obstructions, a liberal dressing — from 10 to 15 cords per 

 acre — of rich compost should be ploughed under as deep as 

 possible. If the land is full of tree-roots and large rocks, 

 this material must be spaded in or worked into the surface 

 in some way. In addition to the above application 2 or 3 

 cords of well-decomposed fine compost, or from J to i ton 



