90 THE PLEASURE, OR [JAN. 



The rolling in summer should be occasionally performed immedi- 

 ately after showers of rain, particularly the first after any continuance 

 of very dry weather, to settle all the loose parts compact and smooth ; 

 in winter the rolling should also be occasionally performed, observing 

 that it is improper to break up the walks at that season in rough 

 ridges, as often practised, to remain in that unsightly manner till 

 spring, whereby they are rendered useless at a time when there is 

 hardly any dry or safe walking upon grass or other parts ; besides, 

 they have a disagreeable and slovenly appearance. 



I would therefore advise to let the walks remain undisturbed, at 

 least until spring, when, if the surface be foul or mossy, they may be 

 broken up, the top turned to the bottom, and immediately raked and 

 rolled, and rendered in a fit condition for walking on. 



All the principal grass walks and lawns within the limits of the 

 pleasure-ground, especially such parts as are intended for walking on, 

 should also be kept perfectly neat by frequent mowing in summer 

 to keep the grass short, close and fine ; give also occasional rolling, 

 both to clean up the scattering worm-casts and to render the surface 

 smooth and firm. Always make choice of a dewy morning or moist 

 weather for the work of mowing, as the short grass will cut much 

 better then than when dry : be careful to have each mowing per- 

 formed with an even hand, not to score, or leave the mark of the 

 scythe at each stroke, which has a most disagreeable appearance, and 

 directly after rake up all the swarths of grass into heaps and carry 

 them away. 



Rolling the grass should be occasionally performed, between the 

 times of mowing, in order to continue the surface always firm, even, 

 and of a close, smooth appearance. 



In extensive pleasure-grounds, and large extended lawns, walks, 

 &c., the rolling is sometimes done by horses, having a very large roller 

 furnished with horse-shafts, and the horses' feet occasionally muffled, 

 especially when the ground is rather soft, to prevent their cutting the 

 surface of the grass in holes. 



Keep all grass-ground clear from litter, such as fallen leaves of 

 trees, &c., which may be expeditiously effected by a light broom or 

 besom on a long handle. 



The edges of all principal grass walks and those of grass-ground 

 next to gravel walks in particular, should always be kept close and 

 even, and dressed once or twice a year at least, with an Edging-Iron, 

 which ought to be made of the best steel, and kept very sharp ; this 

 instrument is made somewhat in the crescent form, and about nine 

 inches in diameter, pretty much like a saddler's cutting-knife, rounded 

 below at the edge part, and with a socket above, upright in the middle, 

 in which to fix a straight handle of wood, about four feet long ; with 

 this instrument a man can dress as much grass-edging in a day as 

 three men with spades, do it much neater, and without wasting the 

 edges of the borders. 



The above dressings ought particularly to be given previous to 

 turning the gravel-walks ; at other times during the summer the edges 

 may be trimmed occasionally as the grass grows rank, either with a 

 pair of garden shears, or with shears made for that purpose, exactly 



