400 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



the animals and the compounds in the stable manure fit the seed for 

 prompt germination. 



As soon as the grass is well up, the coarse manure may be raked 

 off, leaving the lawn smooth for subsequent mowing. If weeds begin 

 to get the start of the grass the lawn should be mowed at frequent in- 

 tervals to allow the grass to come through. Furthermore, clipping back 

 the grass tends to make it bushy at the roots and make a compact sod. 

 If the grass is allowed to grow at will the first summer, it tends to 

 shade out the roots, form in biuiches, and give a very uneven sod. 



On small lawns it is best to keep the grass mowed with a lawn 

 mower each year. On large la"\vns it may be mowed only once or twice 

 during the season. Nothing is handsomer for extensive farm grounds 

 than waving blue grass. 



Choosing the kind of grass to sow is an important factor. In general, 

 there is no better lawn grass for Missouri than blue grass. It is at home 

 here and reaches beautiful development in most soils. It makes a com- 

 pact, uniform sod. It will even stand a great deal of tramping when 

 pastured to animals on large areas. It helps to keep down spreading 

 bushes and noxious weeds, once a good sod is secured. Except on lawns 

 that are largely shaded by trees, it is our best lawn grass. 



On very shady lawns English rye grass is perhaps the best species. 

 It does well only in shade. It will thrive well in localities too densely 

 shaded by trees for the blue grass. On the north side of buildings 

 where blue grass will not grow, ordinarily, the English rye grass will 

 reach splendid perfection. 



On slopes that wash badly, red top is one of the best species to hold 

 the soil in place. It is a coarse, strong grower and will often hold the 

 soil where the blue grass or English rye grass would be entirely washed 

 away. Sometimes it may be grown as a temporary covering when blue 

 grass sowed with it may take its place by naturally crowding out the red 

 top after the sod is established. 



Whatever species of grass is to be sowed, it is well to sow some 

 clover seed with it. "White clover is the best lawn plant among all the 

 clovers, as it is small, low and compact, lends itself well to frequent 

 mowings, makes a beautiful carpet when in bloom, and propagates by 

 runners so it will spread quickly over the bare areas between the plants. 

 White clover seed, however, is very expensive and usually should be used 

 in only limited quantities, except on areas so small that expense need 

 not be taken into account. 



Common red clover, especially on large areas is an excellent nurse 

 plant for la\Mi grass. Either species of clover sowed with lawn grass 



