CHAP. IX.] THE LAWN, ETC. 253 



roots of the last kind are generally easily 

 withered up in dry weather. Very fast-growing 



grasses are, indeed, exceedingly annoying to 

 the possessor of a small lawn, as they require 

 constant mowing, and are thus a constant source 

 of expense. 



Some philosophers assert that the chief thing 

 that hinders the attainment of our desires is, 

 that very few of us know exactly what we 

 want ; and it is to save mv readers from being; 

 in this unpleasant predicament with regard to 

 lawns, that I have been thus particular in 

 describing what qualities are requisite in 

 grasses, to make them suitable for producing 

 soft turf. The next thing is to tell them, as 

 well as I can, what kinds of grasses appear 

 most likely to answer the end in view. Of 

 all these, one of the most permanent appears 

 to be the fox-tail meadow grass (Alopecurus 

 pratensis), which is one of the principal grasses 

 in rich natural pastures, and which should 

 always form one-fourth part of the seeds 

 used for laving; down a lawn. The sweet- 

 scented vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odo- 

 ratum) grows best in deep moist soil, but it is 

 worth sowing; in everv situation, for its fineness, 

 its dwarf growth, and for its habit of continuing 

 to vegetate and to throw up fresh stalks nearly 

 all the year. It is this grass which gives so 

 delightful a fragrance to new ha v. The com- 

 mon meadow grass (Poa pratensis) is also 

 suitable for lawns, as, though of slow growth, 

 it has creeping permanent roots ; and the short 

 blue meadow grass (Poa cserdlea) may be 

 added, for its deep blue tint, which gives a 



