THE FORMATION 



OF 



LAWNS AND TENNIS GROUNDS 



FROM SEED 



INTRODUCTORY. A close and verdant lawn is a beautiful object in 

 itself, and it enhances the charm of every flower, shrub, and tree in 

 its vicinity. The popularity of tennis and bowls has made a piece of 

 turf almost indispensable to every residence where a court or bowling 

 green can by any possible arrangement be secured. It is not our 

 business, however, to dwell upon the pleasure to be derived from 

 lawns, nor upon the influence they have in the promotion of health. 

 We have merely to consider the best and least expensive means of 

 creating them. 



SEED v. TURF. There is a widespread impression that a velvety 

 lawn can only be obtained by laying turf. It is an utter fallacy. 

 Experience has abundantly proved that the finest and most en- 

 during sward can be produced from seed, provided the requisite 

 preparation be given to the land, and that pure and suitable grasses 

 and clovers in sufficient quantity are sown. The expense of pre- 

 paring the ground is not greater for seed than for turves, and there 

 is no comparison between the cost of seed and the far heavier bill 

 for turves, including the carting and laying of them. However closely 

 turves may be laid, they always separate under a hot sun or drying 

 wind, so that for a time the whole surface becomes disfigured with 

 ugly seams. And there is no material difference in the period which 

 must elapse before the lawn is fit for use. A slight advantage may, 



