FASHIONING THE GARDEN. 
11 
sown with seeds, merely add the layer of soil. Where the soil 
is naturally well drained it will only be necessary to dig the 
soil two spits deep and add plenty of rotten manure. This 
deep digging and manuring is just as essential for the growth 
of grass as it is for growing ordinary crops. Grass will not 
thrive any better than any other crop unless its requirements 
as regards food and soil are properly supplied, and it is owing 
to not observing this fact that so many lawns fail to do well. 
Where expense is no object, we also advise a dressing of basic 
slag to be applied before turfing or sowing, on heavy soils at 
the rate of four ounces per square yard, and a similar quantity 
of bone meal on drier soils. Assuming that the lawn is to be 
turfed, the first step is to level the soil. To get a true level 
use a spirit level and a straight-edge board. First level down 
the lawn, driving in pegs to the requisite height as you go 
along ; then level across the lawn and drive in more pegs. 
The soil has then to be levelled to the height of the pegs, 
made as fine as possible, trodden down evenly, then raked 
fine. On a heavy soil it is advisable to add a half-inch layer 
of fine ashes on top to act as drainage, and to prevent worms 
rising to the turf. If worms are very numerous, add one part 
of gas-lime to two parts of ashes, and spread this instead of 
the ashes alone on the surface before laying the turves. Good 
turf, free from weeds, should be selected. If weedy when 
laid down the weeds will give no end of trouble in future 
years. Turves are usually ift. wide, 3ft. long, and 2in. thick, 
and three are required per square yard. By measuring up the 
area in square yards and multiplying the product by three, 
the number required can be ascertained. Good turves cost 
about three-halfpence each. Commence at one end and lay 
the turves now neatly and closely together, and when all 
are laid beat them with a wooden turf beater, so 
that all joints are firmly closed. After this is done apply a 
thin coating of sand or finely-sifted soil, lightly rake the 
surface over to work in the sand, and then leave for a few 
weeks, when roll occasionally. The cost of turfing a lawn, 
including labour, is about 20s. per square rod. Where 
good turf cannot be obtained, it is far better to sow a good 
mixture of grass seeds. A really good turf may be ob- 
tained in this way in a year or so, and at a cost of about 
is. per square rod for seed. It is therefore more eco- 
