88 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



the same process should be followed, save that in this instance 

 sufficient soil should be taken from under the turf to reduce it 

 to the desired level. 



A question that is frequently asked by the anxious owner of 

 a lawn is : " When shall I begin to mow it ? " The answer must 

 of necessity be complex. Much depends upon the weather. If 

 the winter and spring have been mild the grass will have made 

 good growth by the first or second week in April, and it will 

 then be quite ready to take the mowing machine, provided 

 the immediately preceding week has provided drying winds and 

 plenty of sunshine. Indeed the growth may have been so 

 abundant that it may be necessary to take off the top of the 

 grass with a scythe, but in ordinary seasons, provided the blades 

 are set high, the mowing machine will accomplish the work quite 

 satisfactorily. Henceforward the machine should be kept 

 regularly in use K>nce a week at least in the case of ordinary 

 villa lawns, and even oftener where games of skill and precision 

 are played. Nor should the roller be allowed to remain idle. 

 It is useless, of course, to bring it into play when the ground is 

 baked hard by the midsummer sun or when there is a trace of 

 frost in the ground; but at all other seasons its frequent use 

 has everything to recommend it. Untiring work with the mowing 

 machine and the roller will tend to keep the lawn green and 

 beautiful as nothing else can. 



