CHAPTER VII 
LAWNS 
A LAWN is an open area covered with grass and kept 
closely mown. The term is applied especially to tracts 
near dwellings, but may be applied to closely mown areas 
near other buildings or in parks. Other plants than 
grasses are occasionally used, wholly or in part, such as 
white clover. The lawn is primarily for ornament, com- 
plete in itself or part of a general place in landscape 
gardening. 
77. Essentials for a lawn.—An ideal lawn consists of 
a firm even sod supporting a vigorous growth of vegetation 
of uniform texture and pleasing color, the whole kept 
closely mown. With rare exceptions the conditions can 
be supplied only by grasses. A grass to be suitable for 
lawns should propagate by rootstocks or stolons, should 
be fine and soft in texture, and should be dark green in 
color. The most popular lawn-grass is Kentucky blue- 
grass. The only other grasses that fulfil the requirements 
mentioned are Rhode Island bent and creeping bent, both 
varieties of redtop. Another important lawn-grass is 
Bermuda-grass. Several other grasses are used for special 
conditions (Par. 81). 
78. Blue-grass is an ideal lawn-grass throughout the 
region to which it is adapted. It thrives best in a moist 
moderately cool climate and on limestone soils. Blue- 
grass forms a firm even sod which, under proper conditions 
and treatment, is permanent. The texture is fine and 
(61) 
