472 THE PLEASURE GARDEN. [MAR. 



tendant on the latter. This is a good season for 

 either. 



In preparing ground to be sown that is to be kept 

 with the scythe, which is wished to have a fine 

 pile and surface, and by no means to grow rank, it 

 is necessary to be at some trouble. The natural 

 ground should be spaded over, and be properly le- 

 velled ; then a stratum of sand, or of very sandy 

 earth, to the thickness of three or four inches, 

 should be laid on ; and over that another stratum 

 of rich earth, three inches thick, in which to sow 

 the seeds. Tlie rich earth at top will encourage 

 the growth of the seeds at first, aud give a fine close 

 pile and sward ; and the sand below will prevent it 

 from growing too rank afterwards, by checking the 

 growth of the plants. In this way the natural 

 sward of a common is imitated, which always pro- 

 duces the finest turf. 



The seeds most proper for sowing are white clo- 

 ver, and true perennial rye-grass ; which should be 

 sown very thick, be raked neatly in, and then, be 

 w^ell rolled down. Weeds should be carefully pul- 

 led out as they appear, and if there be any blanks 

 or thin places among the plants after they have 

 come up, a little more seed should be dusted in, 

 that the sward may be as close and uniform as pos- 

 sible. It should be several times cut in the course 

 of the summer, but never in hot, dry weather, as in 

 that case the plants might be much injured by the 

 drought catching their roots. 



In the laying of turf for walks, edgings, &c. the 

 j^Tound should be properly levelled, and a stratum 



