LAWNS 55 



which are constructed upon the heavy types of soil should consist of 

 correct drainage in order to secure surface conditions conducive to the 

 growth of good lawn grasses and to provide a firm texture to the 

 lawn. Subsoil plowing is sometimes done with the object of correct- 

 ing soil water conditions. This is not permanent, however, because 

 the soil will pack down again within a few years. Before the topsoil 

 is applied over the subgrade all necessary tile drainage should be 

 installed at a depth averaging from twenty-four inches to thirty inches 

 below the finished grade of the lawn and at intervals approximating 

 from fifteen feet to twenty-five feet between lines of tile. This interval 

 often depends upon the expense which the owner feels justified in 

 making to procure an ideal lawn surface. 



Seeding of Lawns. A general rule is to sow in April and May; or 

 September and October (See Plate III). It is but seldom that sowing 

 in June or July is successful. If sown before the fall rains, grass 

 should become sufficiently developed to withstand the winter weather. 

 It is generally preferable to sow seed in the fall. If the soil is prop- 

 erly prepared in the fall, seed may be sown on a light fall of snow 

 in the spring. The seed will sink in as the snow melts and will germi- 

 nate very quickly. As a general rule a lawn seeded in the fall will 

 develop to better advantage with less maintenance cost than a lawn 

 seeded in the spring, because any weed seed present in the grass seed 

 will germinate and most of the weeds will be destroyed during the 

 winter months; while if the same seed is sown in the spring it is neces- 

 sary to remove these weeds by pulling them before they go to seed. 

 Seed should be sown at the rate of eighty pounds to one hundred pounds 

 to the acre, or one quart to three hundred square feet. Always sow 

 thick. Choose a day when the soil is moist, when there is little or no 

 wind, and when the weather is comparatively cool. Seed is scattered 

 broadcast by hand, and the hand must be kept low. Go over the 

 area in narrow rectangular sections marked out, sowing one-half the 

 seed; then repeat the process, walking at right angles to the previous 

 course followed. After sowing, the ground should be raked lightly 

 and rolled thoroughly. Very young grass must be safeguarded against 

 drought by frequent and deep watering. 



Wherever lawns are to be developed under large shade trees, such as 

 maples, oaks, beeches, etc., great care should be used and the work of 

 seeding should be completed at the earliest possible date in the fall. 



