THE FORMATION OF LAWNS FROM SEED 375 



number of lengths of twine, with feathers or strips of bright glittering 

 tin suspended at intervals in such a manner as to turn freely in the 

 wind. 



MOWING. As great benefit results from early cutting, the plant 

 should be topped with a sharp scythe while it is quite young. The 

 roots are thus encouraged to tiller out, and the surface speedily 

 becomes clothed with fine herbage. At brief intervals the cutting 

 should be repeated, and for this early work on the tender blades of 

 grass the scythe is unquestionably preferable to the mower. Indeed 

 the risk of injury from the latter is so great that many practical men 

 condemn its employment until the plant is fairly established. But 

 the condition of the machine must be taken into account. We have 

 successfully used a mower for the very first cutting of a newly sown 

 lawn, having previously ascertained by a trial on old grass that the 

 machine was in perfect order. 



In the judicious use of the mower lies one secret of a close sward. 

 During severe winter weather the implement may not be wanted for 

 several weeks, but as spring advances the ragged plant will demand 

 attention, and the necessity for more frequent cutting will be evident, 

 until in warm moist weather twice a week, and possibly for a brief 

 period every other day may not be too often. No rigid law can be 

 laid down on this point. The grass should never wear a neglected 

 appearance, nor should the work on any account be postponed to a 

 more convenient season. Except perhaps on a few occasions when the 

 herbage is too dense to permit the machine to run freely, the collect- 

 ing box need not be used. The scattered grass is no disfigurement 

 to the lawn, and by leaving it some return is made for the vegetation 

 produced. Setting the mower requires the exercise of judgment. It 

 should never be so low as to graze the surface, and in summer, during 

 scorching sunshine, it will be advisable to raise the cutter a trifle 

 higher than for a luxuriant spring growth. 



ROLLING. Next in importance to mowing comes the use of the 

 roller, without which it is impossible to create a lawn, or to maintain 

 the turf in high condition. After the first cutting of the young grass, 

 the whole surface should be gently compressed with a rather light 

 roller, and the work needs care, bearing in mind that the soil 

 is easily broken by a heedless foot. Subsequent cuttings to be 

 followed by the roller until the plant is so far established as to bear a 

 heavier implement, which should not always be used in the same 

 direction. When the soil becomes hard through dry weather, of 

 course rolling can do no good, and during frost it will be injurious ; 



