brown] MAKING A SCHOOL LAWN 121 



ground was spaded and graded as well as could be done with 

 the few tools at their command. The top soil was made smooth 

 by the use of rakes. Commercial fertilizer was applied and lastly 

 grass seed was sown. The seed used was " chaff ' collected 

 from barns in the neighborhood by our boys. It was pressed 

 down by means of boards. As the soil and seed were poor the 

 result was poor, but did not discourage any of us. Having made 

 a beginning we were determined to win. 



Our next attempt (in 1903) was a little more successful. Se- 

 lected grass seed, added to " chaff," with an application of fertil- 

 izer, produced a thin covering of grass with many bare spots. 

 Every blade of grass was carefully protected, the boys even 

 coming in bare feet that they might not injure the tender plants. 

 The whole lawn was frequently raked, well watered, and more 

 seed scattered. Weeds could not escape so many sharp eves. 

 The first cuttings with the mower were allowed to remain on the 

 ground to protect the roots from the hot sun. 



From actual experience we learned many facts about making a 

 lawn and the culture of grass. Last spring, having still a .few 

 bare spots, the children raked the whole lawn. As an experi- 

 ment to decide which was the better fertilizer, phosphate was 

 applied to the lawn on one side and nitrate of soda on the 

 other. The lawn was well watered as often as required, and cut 

 with the lawn mower, care being taken not to cut so close as to 

 cause sun-burning. Weeds and coarse grass were cut at the roots 

 or pulled up, allowing the grass to take full possession and make 

 a thick mat. YYe were not able to say which fertilizer was the 

 better, because the grass flourished on both sides. This fall 

 (1904) we have allowed the grass to grow long so as to protect 

 the roots from the severe winter weather. 



Although the hardest work has been accomplished, our children 

 will continue to improve the lawn by intelligent care. Having 

 heard that wood ashes is one of the best fertilizers for our con- 

 ditions, every child has volunteered to bring a small box of it next 

 spring, and is looking forward to the time when this can be tried. 



The children of Upsala Street School are justly proud of their 

 lawn. The labor and thought expended taught them that much 

 in the way of beautifying unsightly grounds can be done under 

 unfavorable conditions. This knowledge has led many to attempt 

 the work at their homes, and with gratifying results. 



