G R A 



G R A 



smooth surface will be provided, so as to be able 

 to mow close, even, and more expeditiously. 



In the rolling of short Grass-ground, it should 

 be performed occasionally with a wooden roller, 

 and a heavy iron or stone roller : the wooden 

 roller is proper after poling, to clean up the worm- 

 casts and smooth the surface, being perform- 

 ed when the surface is not very wet, especially 

 if full of worm-casts, as it would otherwise 

 plaster and daub the grass, and render it un- 

 sightly ; the heavy iron or stone roller should be 

 used occasionally, when the surface is dry, to 

 press down all inequalities close, so as to pre- 

 serve a firm, even, smooth surface. And in fine- 

 kept short Grass-giounds, the rolling should be 

 performed occasionally a day or two before mow- 

 ing, to settle the surface firm and smooth, which 

 greatly contributes to the easy and exact per- 

 formance of the work : the business of rolling in 

 small or but moderately large short Grass-grounds 

 is mostly performed by men; but in very exten- 

 sive grounds, it is sometimes done by a horse ; 

 having a large roller for the purpose, with shafts 

 like a cart, and the horse at the time wearing a 

 sort of leather shoes, very broad at bottom, made 

 so as to lace on occasionally likemen's half-boots, 

 to prevent his feet cutting the surface in holes, 

 and rendering it uneven. 



Where short Grass-groundsaredefacedby wild 

 •daisies, dandelion, or other weeds, the first may 

 be removed by having the blade of an old broad- 

 sword fixed in the end of a long pliablepole, which, 

 as it cuts both ways, by sweeping it backwards 

 and forwards it will head down the daisies at a 

 great pace; which maybe repeated two or three 

 jimes a week, or as often as there may be occasion. 

 The others should be extirpated by means of 

 an iron for the purpose, made in the form of a 

 small docking-iron. 



In the autumn-finishing mowings, the grass 

 should be generally cut down as close and even 

 as possible, that the sward may remain in a neat 

 even surface over the winter season. 



These directions for the management of short 

 -ornamental Grass-grounds regard only such as are 

 required to be kept constantly short, close, and 

 even in the surface, as is necessary in the principal 

 lawns, plats, walks, and other divisions, situated 

 within the limits of the main pleasure-ground. 

 In the outward considerably extended districts 

 continued into fields,parks, 8cc.it is not necessary 

 to have them cut so frequently; two or three 

 common mowings in a summer, with occasional 

 rollings afterwards, may be sufficient. 



GRAVEL, a small stony substance made use of 

 for the purpose of constructing roads, walks, 

 and paths. Walks formed of this material 

 are great ornaments to gardens and pleasure- 



grounds, as well as useful for common walking 

 upon. 



The best Gravel for these purposes, is that 

 which is naturally composed of irregular pebbles 

 and flints, having a moderate proportion of a 

 yellowish or brownish sandy loam, to make it 

 bind, and give colour: it is obtained in fields 

 and commons in many parts, at from one to 

 three or four feet under the surface, though 

 not equally good in all parts in respect to quality 

 and colour; some having a greater or lesser pro- 

 portion of pebbles, a larger or smaller propor- 

 tion of loam, which is more or less sandy or 

 clayey : it is the colour of the loam principally 

 which constitutes the beauty of Gravel-walks ; 

 that of a deepish yellow or reddish colour be- 

 ing the most eligible, as when formed into well- 

 laid walksand rolled, it has an exceedingly beau- 

 tiful and ornamental effect. Where such Gravel 

 can be procured within a moderate distance, and 

 easy expense, it is preferable toall others ; in some 

 parts, Gravel is of an iron-mould colour, or of a 

 dusky-brown hue; which may nevertheless be of 

 a proper quality for walks, where the colour is 

 disregarded. 



Whatever colour the Gravel may have, its 

 proper quality for v . alks is, a due proportion of 

 moderate, light, sandy loam, to make it bind 

 close and firm at all seasons; but not so redundant, 

 or so clayey, as to be clammy and stick to the 

 feet in wet weather, or so sharp and sandy as 

 to become open and loose in dry weather. 



In some places, no other Gravel is met with 

 but such as is very loose, sandy, or pebbly, and 

 which has scarcely any binding materials amongst 

 it ; which kind never of itself binds, but always 

 remains open and loose, being at all times dis- 

 agreeable to walk on : this, therefore, must be 

 mended by a mixture of light sandy loam, where 

 practicable, adding about one load to every two 

 or three of Gravel, casting them together, and 

 turning them over two or three times, that thev 

 may be well blended and incorporated ; and this, 

 when formed into a walk, will often bind close, 

 firm, and smooth at all seasons. 



In preparing the Gravel for walks, it should 

 not by any means be finely screened, as is often 

 the practice : as it is dug out of the pit, it is only 

 necessary to cast it up in a heap, or long ridge, all 

 such large rough pebbles only as roll down be- 

 ing cleared away ; as if screened from the stones, 

 it partakes too much of the loam, so as always 

 to stick to the feet at every flash of rain. 



In purchasing Gravel for walks, it is mostly 

 from about two to five or six shillings or more per 

 cartload for three horses ; though the price differs 

 greatly in different parts, and according to the 

 nature of the Gravel. 



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