12 BOOK OF THE COTTAGE GARDEN 



Much may be urged for both systems, but the main con- 

 sideration, that of cost, must be decided by the individual. 

 The use of turf enables a finished efi^ect almost at once ; 

 sown ground is often a long time before it becomes 

 evenly clothed with verdure. Turf, if good, requires 

 the minimum of attention, whereas sowing almost cer- 

 tainly involves more or less difficult attempts to checkmate 

 the birds, which, unless prevented, devour grass seed as 

 soon as sown. In some places the cost of cartage is 

 a prohibitive item, and when the further expenses 

 of cutting and laying are taken into account, even a 

 small lawn so formed may prove an expensive luxury. 

 The turf from some pastures abounds in weeds and 

 the coarser grasses, and after the necessary cleaning 

 has been performed little of the original material re- 

 mains. In such, cases, I should only advise the use of 

 turf when it can be procured of good quality, cheaply, 

 and at a reasonable charge for cartage. 



Putting aside the difficulty of protection and the slow- 

 ness with which sown lawns mature, the quality of their 

 resulting sward is usually far superior to that obtained 

 by laying turf. The mixing of grass seed has been 

 reduced to a fine art. Special mixtures are prepared for 

 various soils, elaborate precautions are taken to ensure 

 purity, and the percentage of vitality is carefully tested. 

 In the small garden, however, we need not study the 

 question with the minuteness necessary to the proper 

 formation of lawns on which games — bowls, tennis, 

 croquet, etc. — are to be played. The cottage lawn will 

 be entirely satisfactory if the greensward is close and 

 even, good to look at, and pleasant to walk upon. The 

 cost of preparing ground for either turf or seed is practi- 

 cally identical ; the rest is really a matter of convenience 

 and the length of one's purse. 



Drainage is of first importance. A simple test will 

 reveal the necessity or otherwise for artificial draining : 



