THE FORMATION OF LAWNS. 



59 



An object of nearly equal importance is a copious supply 

 of grasses adapted to such soils. These are most readUy 

 obtained by sowing the proper seeds. It is an absurd 

 practice to sow the different varieties of rye-grass [Lo- 

 lium perenne), most of which are really annual^ or at 

 most biennial : in this way a fine perennial turf will 

 never be formed, though a natural one, more or less 

 worthless, will probably form itself from seeds of grasses 

 contained in the ground, which are most likely to be of 

 the coarsest kind. Probably, after the lapse of six or 

 eight years, a sward barely tolerable may be produced 

 by constant mowing. Our own experience warrants us 

 to say, that with a proper mixture of perennial grass 

 seeds a fine lawn may be grown in two years^. We 

 may add, that careful and frequent rolling and mowing 

 conduce greatly to the speedy formation of a fine sward. 



* The foUowing may be giTen as a list of grasses suitable for a 

 lawn: — Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca tenuifolia, JPoa trivialis, 

 Poa nemoralis, JPoa sempervirens, Lolmm perenne tenue. 



