MarcliJ] GRASS plats and walks. 



55 



ing that time must be. carefully cut^ after the first season, 

 every three weeks, while growing; nor must it be too fre- 

 quently walked upon. White clover and true perennial rye- 

 grass are the seeds most proper for sowing. The ground 

 must, in the first place, be all equally made up, and leveled 

 with the spade and rake ; not cart-loads of soil laid down 

 and leveled,^^ which would finally become very uneven, and 

 would need to be lifted and re-laid next year. The best turf 

 is that of a close-growing pasture or common, free from all 

 kinds of weeds or strong roots, and the grass short. To cut 

 it expeditiously, be provided with a turfing-iron ; but if that 

 cannot be conveniently had, a spade may do very well. Strain 

 aline tight, cutting the turf lengthwise, at equal distances, from 

 twelve to eighteen inches. Next draw the line across, cut- 

 ting from one and a half to two feet ; then cut them up with 

 the spade, about one and a half inch thick. In laying, join 

 them close and alternately ] when done, beat them firm with 

 a level wooden beater, and roll with a heavy roller. 



Grass walks, in the last century, were very popular ; but 

 time having put them to the test, they are found unfit for 

 walking upon or using in any manner, almost for one-half 

 of the year ] therefore, not answering the purposes intended. 

 They require great attention to keep them in order ; and if 

 not always neat and clean, they are a disagreeable object in 

 a garden ; but, when they are well dressed, their effect is very 

 enlivening. Where they are desired, prepare the ground 

 as above directed ; making the walk a little higher than the 

 adjoining borders, to prevent the earth from being washed 

 on it by the rain. Allowing the walks to be six feet wide, 

 make the centre five inches higher than the sides, or about 

 seven-eighths of an inch to the foot whatever the breadth may 

 be, which will form a gentle declivity to throw off the rain. 

 When laid, beat and roll it well; cutting the edge neat and 

 even. Water frequently if the weather sets in dry. To keep 

 grass walks or plats in order, they should be mown once 

 every three or four weeks from May to September, and the 

 grass each time swept clean off. When the grass is allowed 

 to get long before being cut, the roots become tender, and 

 die when exposed to the sun ; at last the grass is all in spots, 

 and in another year requires to be re-laid. 



