DITISIOX OF HORTIClLTrRE 537 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



BEST GRASSES I'OU SlIAl)^ I'L ACESs. 



In all casc^ it is advisable to sow some of the seed of Kentucky Blue grass 

 recommeiided for ordinary lawns, or Canadian Blue grass (Poa compressa) together 

 with either Various-leaved Fescue (Festuca lieteroplii/Ila) or Eough-stalked Meadow 

 grass (Poa trivialls). One -or both of the last with one of the blue grasses will make 

 a goo<l mixture for shady spots when the land is damp and inclined to be cold Red 

 Top is another good grass for moist lands. 



In shadj' spots where tlie soil is dryer, this mixture is perhaps better, namely, 

 Kentucky Blue or Canadian Blue grass with either the Crested Dog's-tail grass 

 (C^nosiirm cristatus), or Wood Meadow grass (Poa nemorahs). Red and Sheep's 

 Fescue will also thrive on drier soils. 



If it is desired to have immediate effects, it will be necessary to add to whichever 

 mixture is used, one of the quick germinating grasses, such as English Rye grass, 

 timothy, or low spear grass (Poa an)iiia). 



AVEEDS IX LAWNS. 



For getting rid of weeds in lawns, where they are apt to occur in abundance, many 

 spray methods have been tried. The question of " weeds " has been reported ou by 

 another Division of the Farm, and the only thing that need be said here is that the 

 two weeds previously mentioned, namely, dandelions and plantains, which very com- 

 monly occur in lawns, almost defy all methods of eradication r)thcr than that wfuch 

 is generally recommended, namely, spudding or cutting out by hand. Of spray mix- 

 tures, sulphate of iron has been found by some to be effectual. In one instance if was 

 found that a 25 per cent solution applied six times at intervals of two weeks' killed 

 out all the dandelions; the plantains, however, were not killed by it. The area of 

 grass sprayed wa< entirely free from dandelions the following spring, and was rather 

 greener in colour. It showed up in marked contrast to the surrounding areas where 

 dandelions* were growing in great al)undance. 



Other weeds, sometimes troublesonu' in lawns, are the? thyme-leaved speedwell 

 (Veronira sfrph ijUifoHa), mouse-eared liawkweeii ( 1/ ierarium pilosella). and some- 

 times one of the wiry grasses such as Festuca ovina. 



HIGHLY-COLOrRED AXD EASILY GROWX POPULAR FLOWERS. 



TME OrT-nOOR CULTURE OF BULBS. 



Of the niuny great groups of flowers which are widely separated from each other 

 by habits of growth or seasons of bloom, none has been more thoroughly tested at 

 Ottawa than that group of popular spring bedding plants known as bulbs. Whether it 

 has been to find out the best varieties for bedding, or the best combination of colours 

 in the beds, or the best methods of growing them, the number and extent of the trials 

 have been large and have been extended over almost twenty-five years. Many splendid 

 additions have been made to these easily grown and wonderfully coloured flowers during 

 that period. Perliap^ none has beeii as remarkable and calculated to give a perman- 

 ent popularity to these flowers as that of the magnificent Darwin tulips which have 

 been added to their ranks during the past few >cars. 



For many years, as stated, the older types have occupied iiermanent positions in the 

 lawn beds at the Central Experimental Farm. The Darwin tulips, however, during 

 the last few years, owing to their colour, height and beauty of form, have dominated 



Ottawa. 



