128 THE PARKS AND GAEDENS OP PARIS. [Chap. VIII. 



the experience that our town-plantations furnish, would have 

 shown that trees which do not shed their leaves annually, become 

 so encrusted with soot after a single winter in the midst of 

 London smoke, that they soon dwindle into miserable dying 

 objects. 



As the freshness and texture of tlie lawns in Paris gardens is a frequent subject 

 of remark, we have thought it well to translate the following account of how they 

 are formed. Nothing can surpass the beauty and texture of our own garden- 

 carpets ; hut the Paris system may be worth trying in countries drier than ours. 

 In any case, the information conveyed by M. Eafarin to the ' Revue Horticole ' 

 is worth repeating. In order to obtain the best results in forming a lawn, three 

 points must not be lost sight of : — 1st. Preparation of the Soil ; 2nd. Choice of 

 Grass-seed ; 3rd. Maintenance. 



1. Preparation of the Soil, — In the first place, it must be well drained, that 

 is, if it be too damp,^swampy, or if it rests upon an impenetrable sub-soil. 

 Secondly, light dry soils must be enriched by means of manure, as must also 

 clayey, damp, or cold soils. Thirdly, the soil should be mellowed by repeated 

 ploughings and harrowings, taking care, during each operation, to break the clods, 

 and to extract the stones and roots of weeds. Fourthly, it must he made even 

 by levelling a fortnight after it has been ploughed ; then roll it, break the clods 

 afresh, and finally sow the seed. 



2. Choice of Seeds. — It is indispensable that the seeds used be of the best 

 quality. Having chosen the seeds, mix together those that resemble each other 

 in size, form, and weight, faking care that they are suitable for the nature of the 

 soil on which they are to be sown. The following are four mixtures that are 

 very commonly used in France ; they should, however, only be considered as 

 examples, and may be modified according to circumstances. 



FIRST MIXTURE — FOE A FKESH SOIL, IMPEOVED AND PEEPAEED AS OUST DIEEOTED. 



lbs. 



22 



Agroetis stolonifora 

 Bromus pratensia . 

 Cynoaurus oristatns 

 Festuoa tenuifolia . 



„ rubra . 

 Anthoxanthum odoratum 



11 



19f 



22 



33 



11 



lbs. 



Poa trivialis U 



„ pratenaia 22 



Lolium perenne . . 66 



Trifolium repens ... 2J 



220 



The amount will suffice for an area of rather more than two acres. For smaller 

 pieces of land and for borders a larger proportion must be used. 



