326 ORNAMENTAL GARDEKIKG. 



Where lawns are made by seeding, the work is com- 

 menced by turfing. All along walks, drives, borders, 

 and wherever there is a termination in the grass plat, not 

 otherwise bounded, a strip of turf about a foot wide 

 should be laid down, as suggested in the preceding para- 

 graph, for making a firm edge. But the ground where 

 this edging strip of turf comes, should be cut down the 

 thickness and width of the sod that its surface may be 

 even with the part to be sown. Do not remove the soil 

 quite as deep as the sod is thick, as some allowance should 

 be made for compression in beating. All terrace slopes 

 must be sodded also over their entire surface. 



When ready to sow the seed, the surface should be 

 passed over with the rake and mellowed up a little on the 

 top to receive the seed. It is a common error to use 

 grass seed too sparingly. It is better to use four or more 

 bushels to the acre, than less than four. 



As to kinds, where it is known that any one sort does 

 well, it is best to sow only that one kind, as a rule Eed 

 Top or Bent grass, or Blue grass, are generally preferred. 

 Where it is thought best not to depend on one alone, then 

 several kinds should be mixed. Some always sow a little 

 White Clover with the grass seed, for the greenness it 

 maintains in drouths, but wherever lawns are kept 

 watered this should not be added. The different grasses 

 and their adaptability, are described in Chapter IV, of 

 Part II. 



In sowing, the seed should be divided into two por- 

 tions, half to be sown by passing over the land in one di- 

 rection, and then, after lightly raking over the surface, 

 pass over the piece again, sowing the remaining half 

 cross-wise. After the seed is sown, the rake should be 

 again applied lightly, or else the surface should be gone 

 over with a brush harrow, and after this let a thorough 

 rolling be given. 



The earlier the lawn can be seeded in the spring, pro- 



