MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 41 
a ber several years in which to become thoroughly estab- 
lished, but it does not grow as closely to the ground as some 
other varieties, and in order to have a green lawn as soon as 
possible it is absolutely necessary to use a combination of 
seed. Furthermore, it is a fact that a thicker growth can be 
obtained from a given area where several kinds of grasses 
are growing than where one is alone. 
A mixture which has been widely used and which, under 
favorable conditions, gives satisfactory results, is the follow- 
ing: 
Fancy Kentucky bluegrass 0... oie i544 ag 50% 
Fancy red top (Agrostis alba var. vulgaris).......... 20% 
Rhode Island bent (Agrostis canina)................ 15% 
English rye (Lolium perenne var. tenue)............ 15% 
Such a mixture should be planted at about the rate of one 
pound to every four hundred square feet, or one hundred 
pounds (five bushels) to the acre. 
English rye starts almost as soon as sown, and in a month 
or six weeks will present a uniform green appearance. It is 
not a long-lived grass, and will be obliterated during the sec- 
ond season, but is worth while on account of the immediate 
and satisfactory results obtained. \The red top stands hot 
weather well, grows rapidly and is not easily killed out. 
Rhode Island bent is the basis of the famous Newport lawns 
and makes a strong turf which will stand tramping well. It 
also acts as an admirable ‘“‘nurse” to the bluegrass. 
Tastes differ as to the desirability of white clover 
(Trifolium repens, var. perenne) in a lawn. Some think it 
adds to the beauty of a greensward, and other strongly ob- 
ject to its appearance, considering it out of place. In its 
favor it may be said that white clover produces a dense, quick 
growth, and will often make a green covering where grass 
seed fails. It will not stand rough usage, however. If de- 
sired in a lawn it should be sown sparingly, not over two to 
four pounds to the acre, and separately, for, being heavy, 
it will be distributed very unevenly if mixed with the other 
seed. 
Various other combinations of seed too numerous to men- 
- tion might be referred to, but space will not permit. There 
will be started this spring at the Garden a number of experi- 
mental plots which, it is hoped, will furnish to those inter- 
examples of various combinations of seed and 
the resulting lawns. In addition to the stan mixtures, 
