GRASSES OF IOWA. 497 



more seeding than fertile land. Some advise as much as 100 

 pounds of seed to the acre." 



Time of Seeding. — ^In this state it is advisable to sow as early 

 as possible \a the spring— middle of March to first of April. 

 Fall is uncertain with dry weather. In September it is diffi- 

 cult to get a stand, although, if the fall is a favorable one for 

 rains, September is a good month to sow. Tois will enable 

 the roots to get a good start to prevent winter killing, which 

 takes place frequently when the young plants are thrown out 

 of the ground and drying out. A better start with blue grass 

 may be obtained by sowing a small amount of white clover. 

 "The seed must be sown or scattered evenly over the surface 

 if a patchy and unsightly growth is to be avoided. It is best 

 to select a time when there is little or no wind acd, if possible, 

 immediately previous to an expected rain. Care must be 

 taken not to cover the seed too deeply. A very light raking 

 or brushing may be allowed and is even advantageous, but 

 generally rolling will be sufficient. The rolling is necessary 

 to make the surface soil firm, to press ihe seeds into close 

 contact with the earth and to render the surface smooth and 

 even. The germination of the seed largely depends upon the 

 depth to which it is covered. An eighth of an inch is ample 

 covering for most grass seeds, while Kentucky blue grass is 

 said to germinate best when exposed to the light and conse- 

 quently not covered at all. " 



Transplanting Turf. — In the town lot or some public places 

 the Transplanting of turf is often resorted to. The first desid- 

 eratum is a pure turf of one variety of grass, and this is not 

 difficult to obtain anywhere in Iowa. The turf is cut to appro- 

 priate lengths. The ground which is to receive the turf should 

 be well loosened; the turf is laid closely, rolled and watered. 

 In this way a fine turf may be had the first season. "Where 

 the supply of pure turf is limited, but still can be obtained, it 

 may be cut into small pieces two or three inches square and 

 these set out at intervals of six or eight inches, be ng pressed 

 into the soil about one-half inch below the uncovered surface, 

 which will eventually settle a little, and, if the soil has been 

 properly prepared, the growth of the grass will soon cover the 

 ground and make a sati^factory sward much more quickly ihan 

 can be obtained by seeding. This method has the advantage, 

 too, of insuring the production of exactly the kind of turf 

 desired, a result not always to be obtained by sowing the seed. 



