430 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



commonly followed is that of three bushels of bluegrass to one bushel 

 of ryegrass. A slight sprinkle of white clover is sometimes added as a 

 temporary turf. Many follow the practice of sowing oats or rye with 

 bluegrass. This in our opinion, is not advisable. Both of these plants 

 make a coarse stubble unsuited for the lawn and they are gross 

 feeders. Instead of being a nurse crop they rob the grass of its mois- 

 ture and food supply and also shade It too much. 



MOWING THE LAWN. 



Begin mowing just as soon as the grass is tall enough as this cutting 

 causes the plant to bunch and stool-.out, thus securing thicker turf. Set 

 the lawn mower high, however; in fact, close cutting is not advisable in 

 any case. Stop the mowing in time in the autumn to let the grass make 

 a good top growth for winter protection. 



On the newly established lawn there is apt to be trouble with weeds 

 of many kinds. Most of the coarser weeds will not stand close cutting 

 and are killed out the first year by the use of the lawn mower. There 

 are a few, however, including the dandelion, which are not affected 

 in this way. For the eradication of these, iron sulphate has been recom- 

 mended, but its value for this purpose seems quite doubtful. 



In applying manure to the lawn take care to secure material as free 

 as possible from weed seed. Nitrate of soda is often preferable for fertiliz- 

 ing because it is free from impurties. Use this at the rate of 200 pounds 

 per acre and apply it at the beginning of the growing season. 



Rolling is a good practice for the lawn as it closes the cracks early 

 in the spring and also shoves the crowns of the plant back into place, 

 thus correcting the heaving which has taken place during late winter. 



