42 Cte fatton's <Stotj. 



valuable adjunct, if not a necessity, and many 

 would not be without its sprightly presence. 

 But of whatever grasses the lawn may consist, 

 the necessity of drainage in low situations, and 

 thorough preparation of the ground in all cases, 

 will be readily conceded. It is only in good, 

 well-drained soil that the finer grasses will re- 

 main verdurous during the intense heats of mid- 

 summer. Spring is doubtless preferable to au- 

 tumn sowing, still, in cases where it can be 

 done, it is a positive advantage to prepare the 

 ground in autumn, and allow it to settle thor- 

 oughly through the winter. The addition of a 

 small per cent of lime at the outset is to be rec- 

 ommended, except on thin, sandy soils. These 

 should be fortified with a liberal supply of old 

 manure and good loam and muck, with the ad- 

 dition of a sprinkling of quicklime. Thorough 

 rolling previous and subsequent to seeding is of 

 prime importance. 



Once formed, it is a common error to sup- 

 pose the lawn will take care of itself. A top- 

 dressing of fine compost or some good com- 

 mercial fertilizer should be applied at least once 

 every other year early in the spring. Either is 

 preferable to manure of any form, which is un- 

 sightly. Fresh manure is especially to be avoid- 

 ed, if for no other reason than the crop of weed- 



