xxx RIVERSIDE LETTERS 235 



desired. It is one of the worst of all the 

 weeds that trouble my flower borders, per- 

 sistently getting into the clumps of crocuses 

 and carpeting plants, from whence it is ex- 

 tremely difficult of extraction without disturb- 

 ing the whole spot. In weeding I collect all the 

 grass with its roots in a basket by itself, and 

 use it to patch bare places on the lawn, but I 

 am sorry to say with only partial success. In 

 seasons of drought my lawns, owing to the 

 porous subsoil, look very shabby, and I am 

 much humiliated on coming to town to see 

 the grass that grows on the roof of the 

 smoking-room at the Athenaeum Club, looking 

 far healthier and greener than any that I have 

 here. Perhaps the warmth of the room 

 below has something to do with it, or possibly 

 the artificial watering which it receives from 

 the hose may be the secret, at any rate I have 

 seldom seen healthier-looking grass. 



Of all grasses the twitch, or couch, as a 

 weed is the worst ; next to this is the fine- 

 leaved creeping or running grass, of which I 



