32 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



rods, at least, about the house ; this may lay between the house 

 and garden. When there is but a small surface to grass over, 

 it may be done with turf, if it can be obtained of a good 

 quality, which is not often the case. The best way is to begin 

 at the beginning, and do the work up thoroughly. First see 

 that the ground is well prepared by deep digging or trenching ; 

 for it is in vain to expect the lawn to preserve its greenness in 

 summer, unless the soil is pulverized so that the roots of the 

 grass may penetrate two feet deep. After the soil is thus pre- 

 pared and levelled, it should be left to settle a week or ten 

 days ; then it should be raked off smooth, and it will be ready 

 for the seed. The New England red-top, or bent grass, alone, 

 makes the finest lawn for this climate ; but if it is desirable to 

 give immediate effect to the lawn, there should be a mix- 

 ture of white Dutch clover. Three bushels of red-top to ten 

 pounds of white clover, or four bushels of red-top without 

 it, is none too much for an acre. This may seem a heavy 

 seeding, but it is none too much. After sowing the seed, it 

 should be rolled with a heavy roller. 



To have a fine lawn, it is necessary not only to mow it 

 often, but roll it also, especially after a rain. By doing thus, a 

 close texture and fine velvety turf may be obtained. 



