GARDEN PRACTICE. 
55 
distributed acts as a protector of the roots of the grass 
and as a conserver of moisture below. Wherever pos- 
sible, therefore, mulch beds and borders in spring and 
summer. 
Care of Lawns. — We have elsewhere dealt with the 
formation of lawns and tennis courts, and here therefore 
we have only to deal with the general care and manage- 
ment of them. Assuming a lawn to have been properly 
made, the main points to observe in its subsequent man- 
agement are mowing, rolling, top-dressing annually, and 
keeping it free from weeds. As regards mowing, this 
should begin in March and end in October or November. 
The first mowing in the season is best done by means of 
a scythe in order that bents and coarse grass may be re- 
moved. After that the machine may be used once a week 
at least. It is a matter of great importance to have a 
machine fitted with good knives, and these so adjusted 
that they will cut the grass clean, not tear or pull it out. 
Before the mowing season begins send the knives either 
to the maker or to a competent ironmonger and get them 
properly ground ; in fact, in the case of a machine that 
has been in use some years it is better to send the entire 
machine to be overhauled and put in order. Before start- 
ing to use it, turn it over and get a piece of paper and 
place this between the knives and the lower blade. Re- 
volve the knives to see if they cut the paper clean and 
true all along. If not, readjust the screws till the desired 
result be obtained. The next thing is to adjust the front 
rollers so that the knives do not cut too low, in other 
words, graze the turf. This point assured, the machine 
may be used with the collecting box until about June, and 
from then to September it is best to use it without the 
collecting box. The out grass will then serve as a mulch, 
and at the same time enrich the roots when it decays. In 
very dry weather set the knives a trifle higher, then the 
slightly longer grass will act as an extra protection to the 
roots of the grass. When autumn arrives the last few 
mowings may be a trifle closer. Lawns should be well 
rolled in autumn and spring, also in winter when the 
weather is not frosty. In summer roll only directly after 
