ECONOMY IN GARDENING. 59 



country place, which time, and the ingenuity of our countrymen 

 will suggest, with more experience. But there is one which has 

 frequently occurred to us, and which is so obvious that we are sur- 

 prised that no one has adopted it. We mean the substitution, in 

 country places of tolerable size, of fine sheep, for the scythe, in keep- 

 ing the lawn in order. 



No one now thinks of considering his place in any way orna- 

 mental, who does not keep his lawn well mown, not once or twice 

 a year, for grass, but once or twice a month, for " velvet." This, to 

 be sure, costs something ; but, for general effect, the beauty of a 

 good lawn and trees is so much greater than that of mere flowers, 

 that no one, who values them rightly, would even think of paying 

 dearly for the latter, and neglecting the former. 



Now, half a dozen or more sheep, of some breed serviceable and 

 ornamental, might be kept on a place properly arranged, so as to do 

 the work of two mowers, always keeping the lawn close and short, 

 and not only without expense, but possibly with some profit. No 

 grass surface, except a short lawn, is neater than one cropped by 

 sheep ; and, for a certain kind of country residence, where the pic- 

 turesque or pastoral, rather than the studiously elegant, is desired, 

 sheep would heighten the interest and beauty of the scene. 



In order to use sheep in this way, the place should be so ar- 

 ranged that the flower-garden and shrubbery shall be distinct from 

 the lawn. In many cases in England, a small portion, directly 

 round the house, is inclosed with a wire fence, woven in a pretty 

 pattern (worth three or four shillings a yard). This contains the 

 flowers and shrubs, on the parlor side of the house, with a small 

 portion of lawn dressed by the (scythe. All the rest is fed by the 

 sheep, which are folded regularly every night, to prevent accident 

 from dogs. In this way, a beautiful lawn-like surface is maintained 

 without the least annual outlay. We commend the practice for im- 

 itation in this country. 



