Practical Directions 283 



placed behind the plant, so as not to be seen from the walk, 

 and this is everywhere desirable, when it does not diminish 

 the power of support. No stake should ever be dispropor- 

 tionately thick or it will appear clumsy. When one end is 

 thicker than the other, the thick end must be inserted in the 

 ground. And it ought to be remembered, too, that the 

 higher any stake stands out of the ground, the greater will 

 be the power of leverage upon it, and the deeper it should 

 descend into the earth. 



In applying stakes to plants, the time when their roots are 

 bare and before they are covered in with soil should be 

 chosen for placing the stake in its right position, that it may 

 not injure any of the roots. If driven down at random after 

 the roots are all buried, it will most probably damage or 

 sever some of the more valuable of them. The nearer it 

 can be placed to the stem of the plant, consistently ^with 

 safety, the more power it will possess, and the less distinctly 

 will it be visible. The tree should in all cases be fastened 

 as firmly as possible to the stake, always providing that it 

 has room to expand itself for two or three years. 



II. Sodding Lawns. — Where good turf can be had with- 

 out much trouble or expense, it will be more immediately 

 beautiful and satisfying to sod a lawn than to sow it down 

 with fresh seeds. And even if it be too serious an item under 

 any circumstances, the edgings of walks and the outlines of 

 beds should be everywhere defined by a strip of old turf at 

 least a foot in width. This will prevent the seeds from being 

 scattered on the walks or borders, and make the edging 

 firmer and less ragged for several years. Indeed, it is impos- 

 sible to make a sound and satisfactory edging, except with 

 old turf. 



Sods should always be chosen from an old pasture, and one 

 where sheep have been accustomed to graze will be best. 



