A YEAR'S GARDENING 



natural turf is to be found on chalk formations, and the Sussex 

 downs — the southern range running along the coast and the northern 

 range which forms the boundary of the county — ^the Wiltshire downs 

 and the Isle of Wight downs, are all examples of this fact. Chalk 

 is conducive to good drainage, its porous nature permitting it both 

 to absorb any excess of moisture and to retaiu it for the use of the soil 

 immediately above it. It would seem, therefore, that a layer of 

 broken chaJk, some 3 or 4 inches deep, must make an excellent 

 foundation for a lawn, and as far as the writer's recent experience 

 goes it has fulfilled its promise admirably. 



MAINTENANCE AND RENOVATION 



With ordinary care and attention it is not difficult to maintain a 



lawn in good condition, unless it happens to be — ^what is certainly 



very beautiful — closely shaded by trees. In that case the roots of 



the trees absorb so much of the moisture and nutriment 



Shady Lawns ^^ ^j^g g^y ^j^g^^ there must ever be a fight to preserve 



the turf, especially if the branches of the trees extend over the grass 

 itself and only a few feet above it. For not only is the ground 

 impoverished by the tree roots, but in summer the foliage deprives 

 it of light and air and rain, while in winter the continued drip of the 

 rain from every branch and twig is destructive of aU growth below. 

 This does not imply that a shadeless lawn is desirable, but only that, 

 if possible, the trees should be relegated to such a distance and their 

 branches so restrained as to prevent their overhanging the grass and 

 causing its destruction. With all shady lawns, and even under the 

 branches of trees if they do not reach within 8 or 10 feet from the 

 ground, the turf may be kept in good order by top-dressing in spring 

 and autumn, to which may be added, as an extra precaution if the 

 grass be thin, an occasional spring sowing of seed, opening up the 

 surface for that purpose by raking and cross-raking with an iron- 

 toothed rake. During dry weather any piece of turf that may be 

 constantly in the shade should be watered liberally. 



Among what may be caUed the, common necessities of a lawn, 



if it is to be kept in good condition, mowing and rolling are of prime 



importance. The grass, whether it be young or old, should never 



. be allowed to grow long and ragged, though it is obvious 



mowing ^jjg^^ jjj Jjq|. g^j^jj jjjy weather it is unwise to keep it too 



closely cut. As in all gardening work, discretion must be used, but 

 as a general rule about 2 inches is the extreme length to which the 



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