THE LAWN 83 



out this delicate operation avoid the wearing of high-heeled 

 boots, otherwise the surface may become dented with shallow 

 holes, and the symmetry of the lawn be spoiled. It will be 

 necessary to choose a calm day for the sowing, since the seed is 

 so light that the least puff of wind will blow it away. The newly- 

 sown area must now be covered with prepared fine soil to a depth 

 of not more than a quarter of an inch, and the surface raked 

 perfectly level. Afterwards the ground should be rolled and cross- 

 rolled with a light roller. 



Protection from sparrows and other birds will be necessary, 

 otherwise the great bulk of the newly-sown seed will inevitably 

 disappear. This can be obviated either by means of a large 

 garden net spread a few inches above the new lawn or by stretch- 

 ing strands of black cotton, supported on twigs or pieces of 

 firewood, diagonally across its surface. 



When the grass is about an inch high it will be benefited 

 greatly if it be top-dressed with a fine compost of fertilising fibre, 

 malt culms, or rape dust, spread evenly over the groiincir Hiese 

 will stimulate growth, preserve the young grass from extremes 

 of temperature, and conserve the moisture hi the soil. The grass 

 should then be rolled at frequent intervals, and, if proper care be 

 taken of it, it will be ready for hard use, supposing the seed was 

 sown in September, by the early summer of the following year. 



The laying of turves is a simple matter, provided the foundation 

 has been properly made and the surface has been rendered 

 perfectly level. Moist cloudy weather should be chosen for the 

 operation, either in spring or autumn. Before the turf is laid 

 an attempt may well be made to eradicate the worms in the soil. 

 This can be partially accomplished by watering the surface with 

 lime water. In this way unsightly worm casts can at least be 

 reduced in number, and thus the soft, sticky, muddy condition 

 which prevents the use of the lawn from September to May, be 

 avoided. One or two of the leading firms of seedsmen have 

 produced a worm-killer which is invincible in its effects, and at 

 the same time contains manurial properties that improve the 

 growth and texture of the turf. The preparation is spread over 



