AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



241 



Fio. 380. FLOWERING BRANCH OP LAVATERA TRIMESTRIS. 



LAWN MOWERS. Since the introduction of 

 mowing machines in such variety, and in such a number 

 of sizes, their use has become general, both in large 

 and small gardens, almost to the exclusion of scythes. 

 Machines of various makers differ much more in details 

 of construction than in matters relating to the method 

 of cutting adopted. The general principle is that of 

 fixing a broad horizontal blade, with an edge on the 

 front. This is called the ledger blade, and is kept in 

 position just above the ground, by raising or lowering 

 small rollers on the front of the machine. The cutting 

 blades, which are arranged spirally, revolve by any for- 

 ward movement, unless provision is made for disconnecting 

 them, and sever the grass on coming into contact with 

 the ledger blade. Eevolutions of the cutters are caused 

 by their being connected, usually by cogwheels, to two 

 rollers, generally called drums, at the back of the machine. 

 The spindle passing through this part has a circular 

 cogwheel on one of its ends, sometimes made reversible, 

 and on any forward movement of the drum all the 

 parts are set in motion. In the case of Lawn Mowers 

 drawn by horses, an arrangement is made by which the 

 cutters may be stopped at any time, for conveying the 

 machine short distances, by shifting a movable catch in 

 one end of the drum. The number of cutters varies in 

 different machines, some being placed wide apart, for 

 the special purpose of cutting long grass. The " Archi- 

 medean," an American Lawn Mower, was specially 

 noted for this on its introduction, and is now pretty 

 well known. An improved form, manufactured by Messrs. 

 Williams and Co., has all the parts to work either 

 separately or in connection, and the knives revolve very 

 rapidly when in use. The " Excelsior," another Lawn 

 Mower of American make, manufactured by the Chadborn 

 and Coldwell Manufacturing Co., is specially notable for 

 lightness of draught, cutting without ribbing, its easy and 

 novel mode of adjustment, and the complete protection 

 afforded the wheels and mechanism from injury or from 

 clogging with grass, &c. Unlike the adjustment in most 

 other machines, the sole-plate, in this case, is not a fixture, 

 but is advanced to the blades by means of screws, which 

 are turned by an ordinary spanner. Each of the four 

 knives is complete in itself and removable in case of 

 accident. Eansome's " Automaton " is an exceedingly 



Vol. II. 



Lawn Mowers continued. 



useful Lawn Mower for general use. It is made in 

 various sizes ; those from 12in. to 22in. are recom- 

 mended. Many of Green's Lawn Mowers are worked 

 by means of a flat-link chain instead of cog-wheels. 

 Some persons object to this, on account of the chain 

 occasionally coming off when on sloping ground. That 

 the machines are durable, and do their work well, is, 

 however, unquestionable. In Shanks's Patent Lawn 

 Mower, manufactured by Alex. Shanks and Son, the 

 sole-plate, or ledger blade, has a double reversible 

 edge, and is thus enabled to last longer than most 

 others. This machine is specially recommended in 

 the size worked by a horse, as it is strong in con- 

 struction, and has a good delivery of grass into the box, 

 and an admirable system of emptying the latter when 

 full. Edwards' Patent " Invincible " Lawn Mower, manu- 

 factured by J. Crowley and Co., is a smooth-working 

 machine with reversible cutters. "Regulating rollers can 

 be fixed before or behind the knives, or in both positions, 

 or the machine may be 'used without any. It makes but 

 little noise when at work; and the mechanism is simple, 

 and easily understood. There are other Lawn Mowers, 

 in quantity far too numerous to mention here, some of 

 which may possibly have an advantage in certain par- 

 ticulars over those referred to above. All the smaller 

 sizes are made so that the grass-box may be easily 

 removed at any time. Some people prefer using the 

 machine without a grass-box; but, if the crop is unduly 

 heavy, this plan does not always answer. It is very 

 important that a machine of any description should be 

 kept clean when not in use, and be cleansed throughout 

 each time after being used. Bust and dirt on the 

 blades are often more destructive than constant wear 

 with cleanliness enforced. The knives should always be 

 made to work quite evenly on the ledger blade, so that 

 a piece of paper may be cut on any part alike. It is 

 not advisable to have the blade too low, as many of the 

 tender grasses are thus cut too close and killed, and 

 the remainder presents an unsightly appearance for a 

 time, until new growth is resumed. Lawn-edge Clippers 

 are small machines made for following the Lawn Mower 

 and cutting the grass along the edges of walks. Some 

 of them are made with a drum roller, which is connected 

 and sets the other parts in motion by every forward 

 movement. In Green's patent machine, the chain and 

 wheel motion is adopted, a fixed blade is guided along 

 the edge, and a cutter, with several edges, revolves against 

 it and severs the grass. Adie's Patent Clipper has blades 

 somewhat like shears, the point of the under one being 

 regulated to run ^in. below the turf level. On applying 

 a downward or forward pressure of a few pounds, the 

 blades open, and, being connected to a strong spring, close 

 suddenly, and, in doing so, perform their intended work. 

 Lawn-edge Clippers are not at present extensively used, 

 the difficulty in guiding them straight, or in following a 

 curved edge, being much against them. The value of such 

 machines, if improved so as to be available for ordinary 

 use, would be very great, as an immense amount of labour, 

 in clipping with hand-shears, would be avoided. 



LAWNS. A well-made and properly kept Lawn is 

 always one of the most important features in connection 

 with any garden, especially that surrounding a residence. 

 Where it is improperly levelled and made in the first in- 

 stance, the defects in the surface caused by holes, or subsi- 

 dence of the soil in one place more than another, cannot 

 well be satisfactorily remedied. The form and extent 

 of the Lawn will, of course, vary in almost every case ; the 

 more it covers, the better will be the effect produced, 

 if the work has been well done ; and, on the other hand, 

 the more prominently will any inequalities be seen. Close- 

 cutting machines, now so much in use, cannot dip into 

 holes, consequently the grass here is left comparatively 

 long, while that on the higher portion around is cut 



