370 THE FORMATION OF LAWNS FROM SEED 



sun long after grasses have become brown. Still, the two classes of 

 plants must be carefully proportioned, for although clovers show 

 conspicuously in summer they almost disappear in winter when the 

 grasses alone are visible. Again, clovers do not wear so well as 

 grasses, and they hold rain longer, so that for tennis grounds and 

 bowling greens it is advisable to sow grasses only, unless the soil is 

 peculiarly liable to scorch in summer, and then an admixture of 

 clover must be regarded as the lesser of two evils. 



Several grasses and clovers are specially suitable for lawns, but it 

 is seldom requisite to employ the whole of them in any single 

 prescription. The following particulars will indicate the soil and 

 purpose for which each kind is naturally fitted. 



CYNOSURUS CRISTATUS (Crested Dogstatl). The foliage of 

 this grass is very narrow, ribbed, slightly hairy, and possesses 

 the great advantage of remaining evergreen. The roots are 

 equal to the task of penetrating the hardest soil, and the capa- 

 bility of the plant in withstanding drought adapts it for sowing 

 on dry loams, especially such as rest upon a chalky subsoil, for 

 which it manifests a marked partiality. Still, it will thrive almost 

 anywhere, and should form a prominent constituent of most 

 prescriptions for lawns. Crested Dogstail is strictly perennial, 

 and will increase in strength and vigour for quite two years after 

 it is sown. 



FESTUCA DURIUSCULA (Hard Fescue). This grass grows 

 freely on sheep downs, and mingled with other varieties is 

 helpful in forming a fine close turf. It commences growing 

 early in spring, and should be sown on all soils that are not 

 very wet. 



FESTUCA OVINA TENUIFOLIA (Fine-leaved Sheeps Fescue). 

 The dark green foliage of Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue maintains 

 its colour during hot dry weather, and is so slender as to make 

 the term ' blades of grass ' almost a misnomer. Although most 

 useful in mixture with other grasses, a homogeneous turf cannot 

 be obtained from Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue only, as its habit 

 when alone is to grow in dense tufts which have an antipathy 

 to each other. The roots descend to a considerable depth in 

 search of moisture, and as a consequence this grass will thrive 

 on sandy or rocky soils that are incapable of supporting any 

 other variety. In the early stage of growth it is easily over- 

 powered by weeds, and for this reason autumn is preferable to 

 spring sowing, because weeds are then less prevalent. But 



