EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 383 



(111 low Avel places the Yarious-leavecl fescue (Fe-stiica hcterophylla) will 

 til five. 



For the avernne lawn, a c;ood niixliire is one lourlh Fancy lied Top. 

 one-fourth English Rye <;rass and one-half Kentucky blue grass. If the 

 area to be sown is small and the conditions of soil or exposure somewhat 

 variable, it is advisable to buy a high grade pi-opared ]^,\^^1^ niixlure from 

 a Kiliable seedsman. 'J'his niixlure will generally contain seed adai)ted 

 to various conditions and will prove more convenient and frequently 

 better than the homemade mixture on such a small scale. 



Frequently grass seed contains a great many weed seeds, often of a 

 kind that may prove a serious nuisance and ex]»ense to get out of the 

 lawn if the.y once become established. It is best to buy only the best 

 seeds from the most reliable seedsmen. If a large quantity is to be 

 ])rocured. it would be advisable to send a sample to the Division of 

 ilolain^ of the State Expeiiment Station where it will be examined for 

 purity free of charge. 



S'oirhif/ the Seed. — In starting a lawn use ])lent\' of seed, one pound to 

 about 1000 square feet or fifty pounds to the acre (42.~)00 sq. ft.) being 

 none too much. Thick seeding chokes out weeds and assists in pro- 

 ducing a quick elfect. 



Select a day when there is no wind to sow the seed. Early in the 

 morning or about sun doAvii is a vevy good time, and if just before a 

 rain, so much the better. 



By sowing the seed in the following way, an even Sitand is quite as- 

 sured : taking one-half of the amount of the seed to be sown and be- 

 ginning at one end of the lawm, so"\v in parallel strips until the entire 

 lawn is covered; then take the remaining one-half of the seed and sow 

 in strips in the other direction. If this is properly done, there shoidd 

 be no streaks or vacant spots in the future lawn. 



After soAving the seed, unless directly followed by rain, the soil 

 should be rolled. Raking or harrowing after sowing is apt to bury the 

 seed unevenly. 



Maintenance. — After the grass has groAvn to a height of from four to 

 six inches, it should be given the first clipping, being careful not to cut 

 very close. A scythe is better for this cutting than a laAvn mower as 

 it will not pull out the young plants or cut as close as the mower. 

 The future cuttings should be performed frequently enough to peraiit 

 the clippings to remain on the lawn Avithout being unsightly. These 

 clippings, if allowed to remain, will form a dense mulch around the 

 base of the plants and protect the soil from drying out during the sum- 

 mer months. Cut frequently then but not too close. 



Additional seed should be applied to all lawms at least every spring 

 and often another sowing would prove beneficial the latter part of June 

 or in September. 



The most effective method of controlling weeds in lawns is by se- 

 curing good drainage to the soil, keeping the lawn well supplied with 

 plant food and the soil well filled with pure seed. Make the conditions 

 for plant growth most favorable and there will be little chance iov 

 weeds to gain a foothold and develop. 



C. P. HALLIGAN, 

 Assistant Horticulturist. 



