THE LAWN 187 



should be laid close together, and afterwards well rolled at 

 intervals throughout the winter exceptwhen sodden or frozen. 

 If all goes well, the grass will commence to grow freely in 

 April, at which time the surface should be well swept with a 

 stiff broom in order to remove all stones and rubbish, which, 

 if allowed to remain, would cause injury to the mowing- 

 machine or scythe. Allow the grass a little grace to encourage 

 root action before mowing it for the first time, and if the 

 spring be hot and dry, once a fortnight will be sufficient to 

 mow during April and May. If possible, the lawn should be 

 rolled every time it is mown during the first summer. 



Sowing Grass Seed. If grass seed is sown, obtain it from 

 a reliable firm, because some samples contain a large percen- 

 tage of plantain and other rubbish. A fair sample of the soil 

 should be submitted to the seedsman, who will then supply a 

 seed mixture suitable for it. April and September are the best 

 months for sowing, and the quantity of seed required is from 

 J Ib. to i Ib. to the rod, or from 3 to 6 bushels to the acre. 

 Well tread or roll the surface, and sow the seed quickly 

 broadcast, afterwards raking it well in with a coarse toothed 

 rake and again rolling. As chaffinches and small birds are 

 fond of grass seeds, it will be advisable to give it protection 

 until the plants make their appearance. Covering with old 

 fish netting, raised on sticks a few inches from the soil, is 

 best. When the grass is in active growth, give a moderate 

 dressing of an approved fertiliser, of which there are several 

 on the market, whilst the ground is moist with rain. When 

 the grass has grown 3 or 4 inches high cut and roll it. Lawns 

 that soon suffer from hot sun, owing to the soil being shallow 

 or sandy, should receive a liberal dressing of fine soil and 

 artificial manure annually. Mix the manure with the soil, and 

 spread it evenly over the surface, about J inch thick, in January 

 or early in February. Rain will then wash in the manure and 

 most of the soil, and if the grass is well swept and rolled early 

 in April, previous to mowing, its density will be increased and 

 the quality improved. Where the soil is fairly deep and good 

 the turf will remain in good condition for an indefinite period, 

 if well attended to, but on shallow, hungry soil it wears out 

 in time, even if top-dressed annually. The only course then 

 open is to remove the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches, 

 replace it with the best soil procurable, and after levelling 

 and rolling, either turf it over or sow it with the finest lawn 

 seed. When good soil and seed are used, few daisies, plantain, 

 and other weeds occur. Grass seeds can hardly be sown too 

 thickly for making new or renovating old lawns. For light or 



