Jan.] FLOWER GARDEN. ~~ 



ed, observing that it is improper to break up the walks at that 

 season in rough ridges, as often practised, to remain in that unsight- 

 ly manner till spring, whereby they are rendered useless at a 

 time when there is hardly any dry or safe walking upon grass or 

 other parts; besides, they have a disagreeable and slovenly appear- 

 ance. 



I would therefore advise to let the walks remain undisturbed, at 

 least until spring, when, if the surface be foul or mossy, they mav 

 be broken up, the top turned to the bottom, and immediately raked 

 and rolled, and rendered in a fit condition for walking on. 



All the principal grass walks and lawns within the limits of the 

 pleasure-ground, especially such parts as are intended for walk- 

 ing on, should also be kept perfectly neat by frequent mowing in 

 summer to keep the grass short, close and fine; jjive also occa- 

 sional rolling, both to clean up the scattering worm-casts and to 

 render the surface smooth and firm. Always make choice of a 

 dewy morning or moist weather for the work of mowing, as the 

 short grass will cut much better then than when dry: be careful to 

 have each mowing performed with an even hand, not to score, or 

 leave the mark of the scythe at each stroke, which has a most dis- 

 agreeable appearance, and directly after rake up all the swarths of 

 grass into heaps and carry them away. 



Rolling the grass should be occasionally performed, between the 

 times of mowing, in order to continue the surface always firm, 

 even, and of a close, smooth appearance. 



In extensive pleasure-grounds, and large extended lawns, walks, 

 &c. , the rolling is sometimes done by horses, having a very large 

 roller furnished with horse-shafts, and the horses' feet occasionally 

 muffled, especially when the ground is rather soft, to prevent their 

 cutting the surface of the grass in holes. 



Likewise keep all grass-ground clear from litter, such as fallen 

 leaves of trees, &c. , which may be expeditiously effected by a light 

 broom or besom on a long handle. 



The edges of all principal grass walks and those of grass-ground 

 next to gravel walks in particular, should always be kept close anil 

 even, and dressed once or twice a year at least, with an Edging- 

 Iron, which ought to be made of the best steel, and kept very sharp: 

 this instrument is made somewhat in the crescent form, and about 

 nine inches in diameter, pretty much like a saddler's cutting-knife, 

 rounded below at the edge part, and with a socket above, upright 

 in the middle, in which to fix a straight handle of wood, about four 

 feet long; with this instrument a man can dress as much grass- 

 edging in a day as three men with spades, do it much neater, and 

 without wasting the edges of the borders. 



The above dressings ought particularly to be given previous to 

 turning the gravel-walks; at other times during the summer the 

 edges may be trimmed occasionally as the grass grows rank, either 

 with a pair of garden shears, or with shears made for that purpose, 

 exactly in the form of sheep-shears, but a little larger and longer 

 in the blades. 



The shrubbery plantations should generally be all suffered to take 



