A CHAPTER ON LAWNS. 185 



a flat, nothing is so agreeable as gentle swells or undulations. But 

 quite smooth the surface must be. 



Now for the sowing ; and here a farmer would advise you to 

 " seed down with oats," or some such established agricultural p r e- 

 cept. Do not listen to him for a moment ! What you desire is a 

 close turf, and therefore sow nothing but grass ; and do not suppose 

 you are going to assist a weak growing plant by sowing along 

 with it a coarser growing one to starve it. 



Choose, if possible, a calm day, and sow your seed as evenly as 

 you can. The seed to be sown is a mixture of red-top (Agostis 

 vulgaris) and white clover (Trifolium repens), which are hardy 

 short grasses, and on the whole make the best and most enduring 

 lawn for this climate.* The proportion should be about three- 

 fourths red-top to one-fourth white clover. The seed should be 

 perfectly clean; then sow four bushels of it to the acre; not a pint 

 less as you hope to walk upon velvet ! Finish the whole by rolling 

 the surface evenly and neatly. 



A few soft vernal showers, and bright sunny days, will show you 

 a coat of verdure bright as emerald. By the first of June, you will 

 find it necessary to look about for your mower. 



And this reminds us to say a word about a lawn scythe. You 

 must not suppose, as many ignorant people do, that a lawn can be 

 mown with a brush hook, or a common meadow scythe for cutting 

 hay in the fastest possible manner. It can only be done with a 

 broad-bladed scythe, of the most perfect temper and quality, which 

 will hold an edge like a razor. The easiest way to get such an 

 article is to inquire at any of the agricultural warehouses in the 

 great cities, for an " English lawn scythe." When used, it should 

 be set low, so as to be level with the plane of the grass ; when the 

 mower is erect, he will mow without leaving any marks, and with 

 the least possible exertion. 



After your lawn is once fairly established, there are but two 

 secrets in keeping it perfect frequent mowing and rolling. With- 

 out the first, it will soon degenerate into a coarse meadow ; the 



* We learn the blue-grass of Kentucky makes a fine lawn at the "West , 

 but with this we have no experience. 



