How to manage a Garden 



hardly be expected to prove successful. When all the 

 turfs have been laid down it is a good plan to get some 

 soil, composed of fine loam and leaf soil both passed 

 through a half-inch sieve, and scatter over the surface, 

 dispersing it well with a rake, so that besides filling in 

 the spaces between the turfs, it may also act as a top- 

 dressing to help forward the reinvigoration of the grass. 



An important piece of advice to be given is that good 

 seed be sown. It is essential also that the seed, besides 

 being good in itself, should also be peculiarly adapted for 

 the particular purpose and the particular soil. For this 

 reason it is strongly urged that application be made to a 

 seedsman who makes a speciality of grass seeds, explaining 

 to him clearly what is required, the nature of the soil, and 

 the computed area- to be sown. He will then forward 

 what is estimated to be suitable and sufficient. From one 

 to two pounds per rod is the quantity usually found neces- 

 sary. It should be sown broadcast on a mild day and 

 be afterwards rolled in, taking precautions, such as are 

 deemed necessary, for warding off birds. The best time 

 for sowing is in the spring about the end of March. 

 When the grass has grown to a height of three or four 

 inches, it should be cut with a sharp scythe, and through- 

 out the first season it is advisable to use the scythe in 

 preference to the lawn-mower, which is apt to tear the 

 grass before it has gained sufficient root-hold. After each 

 mowing the roller should be put over if the weather is at 

 all suitable, and should dry weather ensue some means 

 should be made for watering it 



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