LAWNS FROM TURF AND SEEDS. 



73 



and neatly, making them perfectly level with the aid of a heavy beater, as shown in 

 the illustration; when laid late in the spring shrinkage usually takes place directly 

 dry weather sets in, and the cracks require to be filled with fine soil. An occasional 

 heavy watering is also beneficial. What the turf beater fails to do in levelling must 

 be accomplished with a heavy roller, and this may be frequently used when the 

 roots of the grass have become established in the soil. Mowing ought not to com- 

 mence very early, or the lawn be cut severely during the first summer; and if, in 

 dry weather, the turf can be occasionally fiooded with water, this will further tend to 

 keep it fresh and green. 



Lawns feom Seed. 



As previously indicated, the best of lawns may be had by sowing seeds. They can be 

 made to present a fresh, green appearance in a few weeks, but usually require a season's 

 growth to become close and firm enough for tennis. The best time for sowing lawn 

 seeds is during favourable weather towards the end of March and early in April, though 

 August and the early part of September also answer well, if the ground is moist, 

 not otherwise. By sowing too early in the spring, or too late in the autumn, the 

 young grasses are liable to be injured by frost. 



It is of the greatest importance that the soil be thoroughly cleared of the fleshy 

 roots of perennial weeds, such as docks, dandelions, buttercups, and couch-grass, or 

 these will grow, and prove very difficult to eradicate ; indeed, the ground should be 

 free from all kinds of weeds. As a rule the work of preparing the ground for 

 lawns from seed is too much hurried. If after all the roots of such weeds as those 

 mentioned are forked out, there is reason to suppose the soil contains a number of seeds 

 of annual weeds, such as chickweed, groundsel, and particularly coarse grasses, it 

 is best to let these geiTninate, then carefully hoe up the young plants and rake them 

 off. It may be necessary to do this two or three times, to insure the ground abso- 

 lutely clean before sowing the proper seeds for forming a close, fine, permanent lawn. 



It is generally advisable to consult a seedsman of good repute as to the best 

 mixture of seeds for sowing, stating the nature of the soil, position, uses, and extent 

 of the intended lawn. It used to be the custom, and is too much so now, to include 

 far too much perennial rye-grass seed in lawn mixtures — even to this equalling all the 

 other, and much finer, grasses put together. The result of this is a great " show" of 

 grass in a little time ; but it is delusive, for the stronger grasses destroy the weaker, 



VOL. I. L 



