858 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



the season be not unusually wet. The ground, previously to 

 the turf being laid down, should be properly levelled, and if too 

 rich, a thin stratum of fine sand, or light sandy barren mould, 

 should be placed all over it, as already directed. As it is laid 

 down, let it be well beaten with the turf-beater, and, when 

 tolerably dry, repeatedly rolled. During the first season after 

 laying, it should not be too frequently, nor yet too closely cut, 

 as it will be less able to resist the effects of dry weather. 



Grass walks are not so frequently met with now as formerly, 

 neither should they be introduced where good gravel can be 

 had, particularly where there is to be much traffic, as they are 

 less calculated to last long in good condition. However, it 

 sometimes occurs that such walks are not to be dispensed with, 

 and, in such cases, they should be formed at once of turf, and 

 not sown down with seeds ; and the tougher the turf is, tlie 

 better they will resist the action of the feet. 



GRAVEL WALKS. 



Gravel walks should now be put in good order for the season. 

 Where the gravel is still clean and good, they should be rolled 

 once or twice a week, so that the surface may be kept smooth 

 and agreeable to" walk upon. Those walks which have been 

 made a long time, and are become dirty uj)on the surface, as 

 well as those which are liable to be overrun with different 

 species of mosses and other weeds, should be turned ; that is, 

 they should be dug over with a spade to the depth of two, three, 

 or four inches, turning that which was the surface into the 

 bottom, and bringing up from that depth a fresh surface ; by 

 til is means the walks will appear as if they were newly made. 

 Where gravel walks have been washed away during the winter, 

 in a season of heavy rains, or have fallen into holes or inequali- 

 ties of surface, or which are otherwise out of proper repair, 

 they should be top-dressed with a thin coat of clean good 

 gravel, and well rolled down. 



In forming new gravel walks it is important that they be 

 rendered perfectly dry at bottom, by having a formation of 

 from one to two feet of brick-bats, flints, small stones, or such 

 like matter, over which the gravel is to be placed. Such pre- 



