18 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



variety is an annual, but, owing to its habit of freely seeding, even when 

 closely mown, it perpetuates itself from year to year ; and (3) Medicago 

 hqmlina (Yellow Trefoil), which much resembles Suckling Clover, but the 

 foliage of which is paler in colour, while the plant is generally covered 

 with a fine down. 



The proportions in which these various grasses and clovers should be 

 used very largely depend on local conditions, and I have often seen an 

 identical mixture of seeds sent at the same time of year to two different 

 places, with the same object in view, produce widely different results, from 

 no fault whatever of those who have had to do the practical work, but 

 solely on account of the variation in the character of the two soils and 

 climatic conditions. 



Quantity of Seed to Sow. — Whether clovers are included in the mixture 

 or no, it is unnecessary for me to emphasise the importance of sowing new 

 and pure seeds of strong germinating power ; but a generous seeding is 

 always advisable in order to smother the annual weeds, and it should be 

 remembered that the fine grasses of which a lawn is composed do not 

 tiller out to the same extent as the larger pasture varieties. At least four 

 bushels to the acre should be sown, and this quantity may be con- 

 siderably increased with every advantage to the lawn, for the closer the 

 plants are crowded together the finer will be the quality of the herbage. 



Solving. — The time at which to sow in order to obtain the best results 

 has always been a debatable point ; some preferring the spring and others 

 the autumn. Generally speaking, however, sowing may take place any 

 time between the middle of March and the 6nd of September, provided, 

 of course, favourable weather is experienced. When spring sowing is 

 resorted to it is wise to complete the operation before the commencement 

 of May, in view of the probability of a dry period setting in ; while 

 autumn sowing cannot be generally recommended after the end of 

 September or middle of October, owing to the danger of early frosts. 

 Personally, however, I am in favour of autumn sowing, as the damp 

 mild weather usually experienced in October is ideal for the germination 

 of grass seeds, and there is far better chance of getting a thoroughly 

 good lawn and fit for use the following summer than when sowing is 

 delayed until the spring. 



However perfect a mixture may be, no success can be expected unless the 

 seed is sown by someone conversant with the operation. Two sowings at 

 right angles to each other are always preferable to one, and naturally a 

 quiet day is essential, as grass seeds are very light and cannot be dis- 

 tributed evenly in a wind. After sowing, the soil should be carefully 

 raked, but this operation must be done very lightly, as grass seeds will 

 not germinate unless close to the surface, and afterwards a double rolling 

 at right angles will be necessary. The first three essentials to the seeds 

 after sowing has taken place are air, moisture, and light, each of which 

 plays its beneficent part in assisting germination. 



As soon, however, as the grass is above ground, it requires most 

 careful treatment. The quality of the future turf will largely depend on 

 whether the processes of cutting and rolling are commenced soon enough, 

 and carried out systematically and intelligently afterwards. When young, 

 the grass must never be mown by a machine, but should be topped with 



