io Gardening in Egypt. 



(ist) Lawn grass from seed. 



(2nd) Lippia nodiflora^ a low procumbent herb, known 

 under the native name of " Libea." 



(3rd) Cyperus rotundus^ known as " Dis," a coarse 

 grass-like plant with broad leaves, used for lawns 

 in the Esbekieh Gardens at Cairo. 



(4th) Cynodon dactylon, the native turf, called by 

 the Arabs " Neguil," which is found growing on canal 

 banks and damp places throughout the country. 



Grass Lawns from Seed. For undulated lawns, 

 where a winter effect is to be considered, grass 

 lawns from mixed seed is perhaps the best, as they 

 present a cool bright green surface, which lasts from 

 October to the beginning of June. It will then be- 

 gin to dry in patches, and should consequently be 

 cut up, and the soil allowed to remain fallow 

 throughout the summer months. 



About the beginning of September the lawns 

 should receive a good dressing of well-decomposed 

 horse-manure, and be levelled or undulated as re- 

 quired, care being taken to keep the surface a few 

 inches above the path. * The seed should be sown 

 thickly about the end of the month, and be slightly 

 covered with finely-sifted soil, and afterwards with a 

 thin layer of well-rotted manure, and watered 

 copiously with a fine rose on the hose. If the lawn 

 is hosed three times a day, the surface will become 

 green in from seven to nine days. As soon as the 

 grass is tall enough, it should be cut with the reap- 

 ing-hook or shears, and afterwards rolled to prevent 

 it becoming spongy. Later on it ought to be cut 

 every third or fourth day with the mowing machine, 

 and rolled occasionally when dry. 



Lippia nodiflora Libea. A low-growing, creeping 

 herb of the Verbena family, found in damp places. 

 It is extensively planted in the gardens of Cairo and 

 Gizeh for lawn-making purposes. In Alexandria it is 

 commonly used for summer or permanent lawns, 

 though it is an undesirable plant in winter, when it 



