MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 25 
THE TREATMENT OF LAWNS 
The importance of a good lawn cannot be overestimated. 
Constituting, as it frequently does, from 75 to 90 per cent of 
the landscape effect, its condition may enhance or destroy the 
beauty of additional plantings of shrubs or flower-beds. In 
spite of this fact, the average householder, while willing to 
spend both money and time on flowers and vegetables, is con- 
tent to let the lawn go with an occasional mowing, and then 
wonders why it is so difficult to maintain a good stand of 
grass in St. Louis. That it is not as easy to secure as satisfae- 
tory a lawn in this locality as in cooler, moister climates z0es 
without saying, but it is likewise a fact that given the same 
proportionate care and attention as other outdoor gardens 
the results will be equally worth while. In fact, it is not until 
we are willing to regard the lawn as truly a garden, just as 
we would a collection of blooming or fruiting plants, that any 
real success may be attained. Fortunately, in proportion to 
its area a lawn once established does not require as much 
labor or money as most other kinds of gardens. However, 
one should no more think of attempting to have a lawn with- 
out properly preparing the soil, attending to the necessary 
fertilizing, reseeding, mowing, ete., than he should think of 
growing flowers and vegetables without the necessary atten- 
tion. 
In the March, 1913, number of the BunLerin the subject of 
lawns for St. Louis was discussed and the information therein 
contained has been of considerable assistance to those willing 
to follow directions. The time seems to have arrived for a 
Supplementary article on lawns, treated from a little different 
standpoint, which it is hoped may emphasize the fundamental 
principles in securing what is so necessary an adjunct in the 
proper setting of a house. 
After the surface of the ground has been brought to the 
proper grade and all rocks and other rubbish removed. the 
most essential work is to prepare the ground for seeding. In 
the vicinity of St. Louis the surface soil consists of a clay 
loam, which, in its original state, is well suited to the growing 
of lawn grasses. In most instances, however, this top soil has 
been buried in the operation of grading and the stiff clay sub- 
soil brought to the surface. It is then important to lighten 
and enrich the soil by plowing or spading in a heavy applica- 
tion of well-decomposed stable manure. This initial prepara- 
tion is very important because the lawn cannot be cultivated 
after seeding. If good, thoroughly decomposed manure is not 
to be obtained, the same result may be secured by sowing 
