256 MANAGEMENT OF [CHAP. IX. 



should be both in a state of dryness. No 

 manure should be dug in, unless the soil happens 

 to be very poor indeed ; as manure will tend to 

 produce a larger and taller-growing crop of 

 grass, which, of course, will increase the trouble 

 and expense of mowing, without being of any 

 use. The ground being dug, and raked to re- 

 move all the large stones, the surface should be 

 rolled, and then the seeds sown ; after which it 

 should be rolled again, and watered with a 

 garden-engine having a very fine rose. This 

 watering may be repeated occasionally if the 

 weather should be very dry ; and, if any mole- 

 hills or worm-casts appear, they should be 

 levelled and the rolling repeated. 



When the ground is to be covered with turf, 

 instead of being sown with grass seeds, the turf 

 should, if possible, be procured from some 

 meadow or downs where sheep have been fed ; 

 as these animals bite so close to the ground as 

 to kill the coarser grasses, which have generally 

 weak fibrous roots, while the finer grasses, 

 which have deep roots, remain uninjured. The 

 turf is then cut with a turf spade, and rolled up 

 for removal. When it is to be laid down, and 

 the ground is ready to receive it, it is spread 

 out, and the different rolls carefully joined to 

 each other ; little bits being cut off or pushed in 

 where the pieces do not exactly fit. It is then 

 watered and rolled, and will require no other 

 care. With regard to after management, a lawn 

 can never be kept neat without frequent mowing, 

 and this is an operation which a lady cannot 

 very well perform for herself; unless, indeed, 

 she has strength enough to use one of Budding's 



