ON LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



41 



Verges. — The lines marking the limit of the verges and of 

 the alleys (called, in French, the Jilet), are made by tracing 

 a little furrow with the back of a rake. When sowing, a little 

 more seed gets into this, and the grass grows thicker, showing 

 well the Jiiet, even when the alley is also sown with grass. The 

 verges cannot be rolled, and recourse must therefore be had to 

 the turf-beater. The 2in. of soil allowed beyond the filet must 

 be cut out when the grass has grown. 



The growth of the grass will be hastened by early and 

 frequent mowing. Until the young grass is well rooted, this 

 work must be done with a sharp scythe. The use of the mowing 

 machine, while the grass is tender, would be injurious. After 

 mowing, a light roller should be used, and subsequently, 

 when the grass gets harder, a heavier one. To keep a lawn 

 in good order, it must be mown and rolled more or less 

 frequently, according as the growth is rapid or otherwise. When 

 dry weather prevails, lawns ought to be watered, if that 

 can possibly be done. If they cannot be watered, they must 

 not be rolled, as it would not do any good. Rolling, therefore, 

 will have to be done after rain and especially in the spring 

 and in the autumn. A lawn must also be kept as free as 

 possible from weeds like dandelions, daisies, thistles, plantains, 

 &c., which should be removed bodily. 



Improving Old Lawns. — An old lawn may be improved 

 by well raking over the bare places or even the whole surface, 

 then spreading a top-dressing of well-rotted stable manure over 

 it, sowing seed, raking in, and rolling. The best time to do 

 this work is in February or March. It is very beneficial to any 

 lawn to give a top-dressing now and again, as such by increasing 

 the fertility of the soil stimulates the growth of the grass. 



Laying Turf. — The surface from which it is intended to take 

 turf must previously be mown and rolled for some time 

 before it is wanted, and also just before lifting. It must also 

 be kept clear of weeds. The sods, as a rule, are cut ift. 

 wide and 3ft. long. The surface to be turfed must be quite 

 even and the turfs laid as closely together as possible. Some 

 fine, light soil should then be sifted over and brushed in to fill 

 up all the cracks, and the turf-beater should be thoroughly 

 applied. 



Tennis-Grounds. — The surface of a tennis-ground must be 

 made as level as a billiard-table, and measure looft. long by 

 50ft. wide. The ground must, moreover, be well drained. The 



