366 THE FORMA TION OF LA WNS FROM SEED 



no doubt, be claimed for laid turf, but compared with the importance 

 of complete future success it is scarcely worth consideration. We 

 will, therefore, assume the question to be settled in favour of seed, 

 and proceed to describe the manner of preparing land for its recep- 

 tion. 



PREPARATORY WORK. Whether the lawn is to lie wholly or in 

 part at a slope more or less steep, or is to be perfectly level over the 

 entire surface, deserves a moment's attention. Around some of the 

 stately homes of England are vast stretches of ornamental turf, which, 

 with their surroundings, constitute landscapes of surpassing beauty. 

 Lawns of this magnitude need the treatment of a master hand, and 

 they are beyond the modest limits we have now especially in view. 

 But the principles which govern the work are applicable alike to 

 great and small. The land to be made into a lawn must be well 

 drained, in good condition, thoroughly firm, with a fine, friable and 

 perfectly true surface. 



GRASS SLOPES. In small gardens it is not unusual to finish a 

 lawn on one or more sides with a sharp ascent to a terrace. When 

 the turf in such positions is well kept, and the arrangement in har- 

 mony with the dwelling, the effect is often extremely pleasing. But 

 before spending money in making these steep slopes it will be wise 

 to consider the possible disadvantages. Any slope towards the south 

 is liable to burn in summer, and even a prodigal use of water will 

 scarcely prevent the turf from turning brown during continued dry 

 weather. This is true to a limited extent concerning slopes which 

 face east and west. There is also a difficulty as to mowing. The 

 grass is often beyond reach of machine or scythe, and has to be kept 

 close mainly by the use of shears, and a wearisome business it is. 

 The least neglect results in a slovenly appearance, so that, unless it 

 is quite certain that steep slopes can be maintained in perfect order, 

 they had better be avoided. 



DRAINAGE. Should draining be necessary, this operation takes 

 precedence of all other work in the preparation for a lawn. It is so 

 usual to assume the drainage in gardens to be satisfactory, that the 

 subject is seldom thought of. If rain pass freely through the soil, 

 leaving no stagnant pools even in wet winters, the sufficiency of the 

 natural drainage may be inferred. But it should be clearly under- 

 stood that a fine lawn cannot be established on a bog. Sour land 

 soddened with moisture, or an impervious clay, must have pipes 

 properly laid in before good turf is possible, and as the trenches 

 cannot be filled in so firmly as to prevent the ground sinking after- 



