196 



THE QARDENERS* MONTHLY 



[July. 



and the perennials can be cut out with a stout 

 knife. 



It often happens that it is very inconvenient to 

 prepare new lawns, and in such cases we must try 

 to restore the old. In order to do this properly, 

 we must commence in the autumn. First, fill up 

 all inequalities by carefully lifting the sod, filling 

 in, and replacing it; at the same time, remove all 

 perennial weeds, and then give a good dressing of 

 stable manure. As soon as the weather becomes 

 settled in the spring, the manure should be re- 

 moved, then rake thoroughly, using a good iron 

 rake, and be particular to remove all dead grass, 

 moss, etc. When this is done, give a good dress- 

 ing of bone-dust, and sow grass seed as for a new 

 lawn. Roll thoroughly, and, as soon as the grass 

 is long enough, mow ; mow weekly throughout 

 the season, excepting in seasons of severe 

 drought. It seems almost superfluous to remark 

 that mowing should always be done with a lawn- 

 mower in preference to the scythe. The work is 

 thus more quickly accomplished, to say nothing of 

 its neater and more attractive appearance when 

 finished. 



After the lawn has become established, it should 

 be properly cared for; every spring it should be 

 carefully examined and all perennial weeds re- 

 moved, a good dressing of bone-dust or ashes 

 given, and the whole thoroughly raked and rolled. 

 Mowing should also be attended to from the time 

 the grass commences to grow in the spring until 

 growth ceases in autumn. Once a week is none 

 too often to mow, the clippings being permitted to 

 remain in order to protect the tender roots ; a rake 

 should never be used on the lawn after it is cleaned 

 in the spring. If it becomes necessary to use 

 a rake to remove the clippings, on account of their 

 unsightly appearance, it is absolutely certain that 

 the mowing was not done at the proper time. In 

 mowing, avoid cutting too close, for, depend upon 

 it, close mowings and a frequent use of the rake 

 will soon destroy the finest lawn. Close mowing 

 encourages the growth of very many troublesome, 

 noxious little weeds, as well as the great pest of 

 lawns — crab grass — Panicum sanguinale. It should 

 be remembered, however, that no lawn can be 

 maintained in good condition unless it is frequent- 

 ly and thoroughly rolled. Moles are sometimes 

 very annoying; the only remedy for these pests 

 consists in the proper use of a good trap. A few 

 words as regards sodding : at the best it is slow 

 and expensive work, and, unless for places of very 

 small extent, I would not advise the use of sods. 

 In forming new lawns, it is sometimes absolutely 



necessary to lay sod along the margins of walks, 

 and also on steep banks, as heavy rains might 

 wash away the soil before the seed has had 

 time to vegetate ; any clear sod can be used for 

 this purpose, care being taken to firm it well with 

 the back of the spade. In seasons of severe 

 drought, some resort to watering; but unless one 

 has an abundant supply of water and the neces- 

 sary facilities for doing the work thoroughly, it is 

 better not to make the attempt, for anything short 

 of a thorough watering will do more hurt than 

 good. I think that if the ground is properly pre- 

 pared, the mowing properly attended to, and the 

 clippings permitted to remain, in order to protect 

 the young and tender roots, little or no injury 

 from drought need be apprehended. 



I am often asked, What is the best manure for 

 lawns? I do not think that there is anything 

 better than good stable manure applied just after 

 the ground becomes frozen in the fall, and re- 

 moved as soon as the weather becomes settled in 

 the spring. Some, however, decidedly object to 

 stable manure, on account of its untidy appear- 

 ance, and so bone-dust can be substituted. Its 

 effect, however, will not be noticed so soon. In 

 forming new and restoring old lawns, an abundant 

 supply of good stable manure is indispensable. 

 Guano and commercial fertilizers are much es- 

 teemed by some, and more or less is said in their 

 favor; but as far as my experience has extended, 

 I have found them to be very variable in their 

 results. In wet seasons they are very satisfactory ; 

 but in seasons of drought, the result is quite the 

 reverse. 



Again, some object to the use of stable manure, 

 for the reason that it contains the seeds of many 

 noxious weeds, and in this way they would intro- 

 duce them into their lawns. Now, I would not 

 apprehend any danger from this source, if the 

 lawn has been properly attended to, and seeds 

 sown the very instant vacancies are noticed ; and 

 I have often noticed that wherever any vacancies 

 exist they soon become filled with weeds, no 

 ! matter what fertilizers have been applied ; and it 

 is a most essential point in the management of 

 lawns to encourage the growth of the good grass 

 as much as possible, and thus prevent noxious 

 ' weeds from taking possession. 



The arrangement and proper disposition of or- 

 namental trees and shrubs on the lawn is also very 

 important and deserves the highest consideration. 

 In this paper it is impossible to treat of this as fully 

 as its importance demands, for local circumstances 

 and personal requirement would render almost 



