LAWNS 57 



because of the shallow depth of topsoil that causes feeding roots to 

 remain near the surface of the ground. 



The various grass mixtures on the market vary in quality rather 

 than in kind. It is inadvisable to buy poor seed. Many mixtures 

 contain a large percentage of "chaff," and some mixtures contain more 

 or less weed seed. It is highly desirable that any one responsible for 

 the development of a good lawn should be able to identify the im- 

 portant types of good seed in lawn mixtures. Of the various grass 

 seeds used the fescue and the clovers produce a quick effect during 

 the first year. 



The most common and satisfactory lawn seed mixture for the northern 

 states is sixteen parts by weight of Kentucky blue grass, four parts of 

 recleaned redtop, and one part of white clover. It should be used at the 

 rate of one pound to each three hundred square feet of lawn or one 

 hundred and twenty pounds per acre. The Kentucky blue grass is 

 adapted to the northeastern states and the northwestern coast. It thrives 

 on limy soil and will occasionally grow on land devoid of lime if the 

 drainage is extra good. It makes a dense, vivid green turf except during 

 midsummer when it is adversely affected by hot weather. It should 

 not be confused with Canada blue grass which produces a tough but not 

 dense or attractive turf and sometimes succeeds where the soil is too 

 thin for Kentucky blue grass. Redtop succeeds under a very large range 

 of soil conditions, from drought to wet land. It is one of the best grasses 

 for poor soils throughout the whole of the eastern United States and thus 

 succeeds where blue grass fails. It does not make a dense turf unless 

 planted thickly and mowed closely. White clover as a turf plant 

 succeeds on poor soils, forms a dense, close mat, and stands mowing 

 well. If Kentucky blue grass is sown alone one hundred and fifty pounds 

 per acre are required and liming is beneficial. If redtop is seeded alone 

 forty pounds of fancy "recleaned" seed per acre are sufficient and no 

 lime is needed. Clover is never sown in a clean stand but may be sown 

 with or after grass seed at the rate of ten pounds of seed per acre. 



For a fine turf similar to putting greens, use Chewing's or New Zealand 

 red fescue, which is a grass having a dark green colour and which makes 

 a solid, compact turf. It is particularly adapted to sowing on sandy 

 loam soil but succeeds well on clay loam or even on clays. When seeded 

 alone one hundred pounds per acre should be used. It is the best lawn 

 grass for growing in the shade under American conditions. Another 

 fine-leaved grass making a dense, velvety turf is creeping bent. It does 



