THE FORMATION OF LAWNS. 59 



An object of nearly equal importance is a copious supply 

 of grasses adapted to such soils. These are most readily 

 obtained by sowing the proper seeds. It is an absm^d 

 practice to sow the different varieties of rye-grass [Lo- 

 lium perenne), most of which are really annual_, or at 

 most biennial : in this way a fine perennial turf will 

 never be formed^ thoi^h a natm'al one^ more or less 

 worthless^ will probably form itself from seeds of grasses 

 contained in the gi'ound^ which are most likely to be of 

 the coarsest kind. Probably, after the lapse of six or 

 eight years, a sward barely tolerable may be produced 

 by constant mowing. Our own experience waiTants us 

 to say, that with a proper mixture of perennial grass 

 seeds a fine lawn may be grown in two years ^. T\'e 

 may add, that careful and frequent ro llin g and mowing 

 conduce greatly to the speedy formation of a fine sward. 



* The foILowiiig may be given as a hst of grasses suitable for a 

 lawn: — Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca tenuifolia, Poa trivialis, 

 Poa nemoralis, Poa sempervirens, Lolium perenne tenue. 



