72 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Fig. 39 



a, turf ritted out ; h, raisin 



Eaisixg TtmvES. 



f , turves rolled for transit. 



lawn, as slight inequalities prove an eyesore when the mowing machine does not, as 

 it cannot, cut closely in the hollows. It does not follow that all lawns need be level, 

 but, on the contrary, in certain positions rounded lawns are more appropriate and 



equally pleasing; bnt they must be 

 uniform or free from alternating lumps 

 and depressions for the reasons stated. 

 All surfaces must be made uniformly 

 firm by ramming or treading, also smooth, 

 by raking and rolling, and again lightly 

 loosened prior to laying down turf or 

 sowing seeds, or the results will be more 

 or less disappointing. 



Turfing. 



Turf is preferred for covering slopes 

 of all kinds, and is also necessary as a verge to walks, when the rest of the ground is 

 to be sown, as it is next to impossible to make and keep a firm edge with soil 

 alone. The turf verge, when properly laid, also indicates the height to which the 

 soil beyond must be raised, joined, and levelled for sowing grass seeds. If turves of 

 fine grass, free from coarse weeds and daisies, can be had excellent lawns may be 

 established quickly ; but rather than use coarse, weedy turf it is better to wait till 

 a good sward can be formed by 



sowing seeds. ■ . .. i"-" 



In order to be able to relay 

 turf expeditiously and effectively, it 

 must be first properly cut of uniform 

 thickness. An ordinary spade is not 

 suitable for this work, but a turf 

 raiser (Fig. 39) is needed for use 

 after lining and ritting out with the 

 turf or edge cutter (Fig. 40, d). 

 With these implements it is a compa- 

 ratively easy matter to cut turves in 1-foot widths, 3 feet long, and \\ inches deep, 

 one man using the raiser, and another rolling the turf from it as the work proceeds. 



Turves are best laid in the autumn, or during mild weather in the winter, closely 



verge ; 



Fig. 40. Laying Ttjef. 

 , beater ; c, line and pegs ; d, edge-cutter. 



