376 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



should be deeply and carefully dug as long before laying down the turf 

 as possible, and the surface hoed over on every favourable occasion. 

 Just before laying the turf, the surface soil ought to be sifted to a 

 fine tilth, and well rammed with iron rammers. When this is done 

 so that the ground presents a perfectly even and firm face, the turfing 

 can be commenced. 



Now, there are many ways of doing this, but the best method is 

 to cut the turf in squares of a definite size. One foot square is as 

 useful as any that can be suggested. Turf cut Uke this is easily 

 handled, and is in every respect better than the primitive method of 

 rolling them in lengths of three feet by one foot. However carefully 

 it is cut in such lengths, there are certain to be some irregularities 

 that are detrimental to the accuracy required for first-class lawns. 

 Some who adopt this system will tell you that these irregularities 

 will roll out to the desired smoothness. But even if this could be 

 done it cannot be considered good workmanship, for if a mound is 

 compressed to the level of a hollow there still exist two distinct 

 conditions that will prevent the even growth of grass, which for the 

 ideal lawn is as necessary as the level state of the ground. 



When the turfs are cut into the one-foot squares already mentioned, 

 each turf is trimmed to an even thickness. This is done by laying 

 them grass side down on a shallow tray, the depth of which varies 

 according to the thickness desired. The trays need to be made so 

 that the cut turf can sUde in and out, but otherwise to fit the turf 

 so that there is no room for movement. Then, with a sharp two- 

 handled knife, cut the underside to the gauged thickness. If the soil 

 has previously been prepared to a firm evenness, the turfs can very 

 quickly be laid down, fitting them closely to each other and presenting, 

 when finished, an accurately dead evenness that requires only 

 thoughtful cultivation. 



This cultivation must necessarily vary somewhat with varying soils 

 and conditions. The first thing to do is to give the newly-laid turf 

 a dressing of chemical manure, and after this has been done apply 

 a fight sprinkling of finely-sifted soil or sharp sand. The chemical 

 manure induces root growth, which unites the turf together, and the 

 fine soil or sand fills up any joints that may be open. Occasionally 

 at this stage it is well to sow some grass seed, especially if the turf 

 laid down is incUned to be weakly or thin in texture. Very Httle 

 rolUng, if any, is necessary in the early days of the lawn, and when 

 rolling is done the ground ought to be in a fairly dry condition at the 

 time, and only a light roller used. I know this is opposed to a very 

 general practice which consists of using a heavy roller when the ground 

 is wet, so that it may " leave a good impression behind." 



Such an impression, however, is distinctly hurtful to the future 

 lawn. All gardeners are aware that it is necessary for the welfare 

 of a plant that the rooting medium should be of an even firmness 

 throughout. No one would expect a plant to remain healthy, or 

 to grow freely, where the surface is too tightly compressed. After all. 



