JanJ] THE FLOWER GARDEN. 841 



should be made good. Turf may now be laid to any extent 

 in the formation of lawns or grass-walks, taking care that it 

 be laid down as soon as possible after it be cut, and not ex- 

 posed to frost or drying winds. The ground, previously to 

 having the turf laid upon it, either for walks or lawns, should 

 be levelled, and such places as may have been raised with 

 fresh mould should be trodden or beaten down, to prevent it 

 from sinking afterwards. 



When the whole is brought to the desired level, it should 

 be well rolled, if the weather be dry enough to admit of that 

 operation ; and if the soil be rich on which it is intended to 

 lay the turf, it would be well to lay an inch and a half, or 

 two inches of any light sandy poor mould upon it, to prevent 

 the too rapid growth of the grass afterwards. Grcat care 

 ought to be paid to procure turf of the finest quality, that 

 from a sheep-walk or down is always to be preferred, as being 

 naturally composed of grasses of habits the least luxuriant. 

 The turf should be cut in lengths of three feet, and one in 

 breadth, and as near to one inch and a half in thickness as 

 possible, and, as they are cut, they should be neatly rolled up, 

 the grass-side inwards, to render them more portable, and 

 less liable to be broken in the carriage. 



Where turf of this description is not to be had, it is 

 better to sow down the ground intended for grass with 

 grass-seeds than to use bad turf. The families Aira, Lo- 

 Hum, Festuca, Cynosiiriis, are to be preferred, with a mix- 

 ture of Trifolium repens^ avoiding those of the families of 

 Dactylisy Bromus, 2'ritictim, &c., as of too gross a growth, 

 ever to be brought to a fine bottom. It is to be regretted 

 that so little attention is paid to the cultivation of the 

 useful grasses, both in regard to agriculture and gardening. 

 Previously to laying down lawns or walks, either with turf 

 or artificial grass- seeds, it is necessary to have the ground well 

 cleared of »noxious weeds, for if not done before they are 

 formed, it cannot be so well done afterwards. When the turf 

 is laid, it should be well beaten two or three times over with 

 the turf-beater, so as to beat the whole into one mass ; after- 

 wards, it should be rolled and otherwise managed according 

 to directions, which will be subsequently given. 



5 p 



