GRASSES OF IOWA. 495 



has a shining or polished appearance not apparent in Ken- 

 tucky blue grass. " 



"Reference has already b^en made to the degres of fineness 

 of several varieties of grasses, but the narrowness of the leaf 

 blade does not always determine the texture. Some of the 

 varieties of fescuses have exceedingly natrow or thread-like 

 leaves, but the turf formed by them may be harsh and unpleas- 

 ant to the touch. Other grasses again may have compara- 

 tively broad leaves, which are soft and flexible, and the turf 

 they produce may possess a desirable texture. " 



Varieties. — The Iowa lawn is generally represented by but a 

 single species of grass, namely, blue grass {Poa pratensis). 

 White or Dutch clover {Trifolium repevs) is frequently sown 

 and when not sown frequently comes into the lawns and is 

 most desirable. The fescue grasses and timothy are some- 

 times sown, more frequently to obtain a quick growth of grass, 

 but neither has an abiding place. The bent grasses (Agrostis 

 alba) are sometimes found, but in old lawns it seldom finds a 

 place; the blue grass crowds all but the c'over out. The best 

 lawns are those that consist of but a single species 



Selection of Seed. — "The greatest care should be taken to pro 

 cure seeds of the very best quality of the variety desired. The 

 highest priced seed is the cheapest in the end. A cheap grade 

 may always b3 looked upon with suspicion, and is usually dear 

 at any price, and the sowing of seed of aoy grade upon a poorly 

 prepared seed bed is wasteful. 



"It has long been a common prPiCtice to use a variety of 

 seeds or so-called "lawn mixtures" in seeding down lawns. 

 Those advocating these mixtures argue that there is no one 

 grass that will suit the ordinary lawn maker, as he wants a 

 lawn quickly, he wants a lawn fine, and he wants it to be 

 permanent results which it is claimed can only be obtained by 

 mixtures. Further, it is asserted that the variety in the mix- 

 ture best suited to the soil and climatic conditions will event- 

 ually run out the others, and the lawn will finally be composed 

 of a single species. This course will manifestly cause a delay 

 in securing a satisfactory turf, and when there are several 

 varieties of grasses combined the liability of introducing weed 

 seed is greatly increased. 



"One of the chief features of beauty in a lawn, as already 

 stated, is uniformity in color, and this cannot be obtained by a 

 mixture of varieties of grasses; the color will always be mottled 



