130 VILLA GARDENING paet i 



at the right time, is always noticeable in the proper manage- 

 ment of 



The Turf of the Lawn. — A rough, coarse, weedy lawn is 

 always a trouble and an eyesore. Moss may not be so objection- 

 able if there is not too much of it, but where the roller and the 

 mowing machine are used with care and judgment. Moss will not 

 accumulate to an injurious extent. There are places, such as imder 

 trees where the shade is dense and the Grass will not grow, in 

 which the presence of Moss is useful and agreeable ; but, generally, 

 speaking, in an open lawn the presence of Moss is a sign of 

 poverty in the soil, or else draining is required ; and when we con- 

 sider that in the majority of gardens the mowing machine goes its 

 weekly round, cutting the Grass down close to the roots, and in 

 dry weather almost stubbing them up, is it any wonder that the 

 Grasses die and wear out, and that Moss takes their place 1 



In most gardens, especially those of small or moderate extent, 

 the mowing machines are set too low. The lawn would look better 

 if the Grass were not cut quite so short. If the Grass was left, 

 say an inch long, the roots of the plants woidd feel comfortable 

 under the shade provided, and woidd not burn so quickly at the 

 approach of the first spell of bright sunshine. So self-evident is 

 this, that some have adopted the plan of setting the machine to 

 cut a little higher. It is only a question of dropping the rollers 

 in front of the cutters (and most machines are provided with these 

 now) down a little. The machine will work easier, and the lawn 

 win look better. There wiU be a saving of wear and tear, and 

 the result wiU be more satisfactory. The American system of 

 scattering the cut Grass over the lawn does not answer in om- 

 climate, as it encourages the weeds, esi^ecially the Daisies, to a 

 most alarming extent. Top-dressings of wood-ashes and soot are 

 exceedingly beneficial to a Aveakly turf ; and though a thick tiu:f 

 may not need extra support, yet in the course of time, even on the 

 best soils, some help must be given in the shape of maniu'e ; for a 

 system of close cutting, and taking everything away and bringing 

 nothing back, must in time have an exhaustive effect ; and if help 

 is given in time, very light dressings in Avinter mU suffice to keep 

 the turf in good order. 



Manuring Flower Beds. — Flowers need support as much as 

 vegetables, and many flowering plants take a good deal out of the 

 soil. But too often the necessity for manuiiug is overlooked till 

 the plants become weakly. A stitch in time saves nine in this as 

 in aU other matters. I generally give a light dressing of manure 

 every autumn, when the bedding plants are cleared off. Beds that 

 are devoted solely to bedding out should have the maniu-ial dress- 



