38 LAWNS 



superior to a small one because there will be 

 fewer joints when dealing with the larger 

 pieces. But it is not practicable to handle 

 them in larger sizes than 3x1 feet. There 

 is a special tool made for taking up the 

 turves known as a turfing iron. This is 

 essentially a long-shafted spade with a 

 thin, flat blade which can be pushed under 

 the turf, cutting the roots and leaving the 

 flat sod ready to be rolled. Generally a 

 common spade is used, two men working 

 together, the one rolling the turf as it is cut 

 by the other man. 



When relaying on the new ground the turf 

 is unrolled in position, any little unevenness 

 of the ground or of the thickness of the turf 

 being repaired as the work proceeds. It is 

 not easy to make a perfectly level surface. A 

 slight diff"erence in the compactness of the 

 roots of the grasses in the turf will lead to 

 hollows and hummocks in the near future, 

 which have to be filled up by additions of soil 

 above or under the turf; or the hummocks 

 have to be beaten down by means of a heavy 

 piece of wood fixed to a handle at a suitable 

 angle (like a broom), or the back of a spade 

 is used. The latter is the more likely, not 



