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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 14, Issue 1128, 18 February 1870, Page 3

A Substitute for Grass on Lawns. — The London Gardener a Magazine says : — "In cases where the grasses euunot maintain their ground there are many useful substitutes available. Throe years since we were called upon to advise on the turfing of some hot sandy banks, where grass had been fairly tried and had fairly failed again and again. We advised the adoption of common wild thyme, common yarrow, and common camomile for turfing these banks. They have been so treated, and the result is all that could bo desired — a peculiarly dense uud beautiful turf. There remains for good soils and skilful bands the once and only for a moment famous sjjcrrfula pilijeru,, a most luxurious turf, which we saw not long since at the residence of Mr. Hay, at JNTewcross. Spcrgula turf is unquestionably the richest and most perfect turf possible, provided only it is perfect. The reason its fame was ephemeral is just this — that to do complete justice to it is a task requiring more patience and perseverance than in these days of hurry and precocity can be afforded it. The task of keeping nowlyplanted spergula clear of weeds is tremendous ; yet, if that task be neglected, the weeds quickly kill it out, and there is an. end of it. If, however, it could always have the care it requires, there would very soon be seen a spergula lawn in every garden in the land ; for it is, when well done, so exquisitely beautiful as to render description impossible, and culog} r a waste of words." Tasmanian Salmon and Trout. — -The experiment of introducing salmon and trout into Tasmanian waters has reached the fiual stage of success. It is now an undoubted fact that the Tasmanians have both the salmon and trout "at home " in their waters, and also that their new home seems to agree with them. Two undoubted salmon were captured a short time ago, and during the visit of the Flying Squadron at Holmrfe Town, the veritable brown trout" was served up at the Vice-regal table, and partaken of by His Excellency and the officers of the Squadron. The fish had been caught the previous day in the Kiver Plenty, and fclio largest of them was 23 inches long, 13 inches in girth, and weighed 6 pounds.