THE THREE LEADING FORAGE GRASSES 63 



be advisable to sow a mixture of grasses, such as blue- 

 grass, perennial and Italian rye grass, carpet bent, and 

 some of the small fescue grasses. The result will lack 

 in uniformity but there may be a gain in vigor and 

 continuity of soil cover. 



In either turfing or seeding, the lawn should be watered 

 if the rainfall is not sufficient in amount or frequency. 

 It is best to wet the soil thoroughly at intervals of a few 

 days, rather than to sprinkle lightly every day. Water- 

 ing is most efficient after the heat of the day has past, 

 as the application of water during the middle of the day 

 may result in scalding the foliage. 



The practice of attempting to establish a lawn upon 

 soil left from the excavation of a cellar or upon the refuse 

 left from building operations cannot be too strongly 

 condemned. If the lawn is started by seeding on such a 

 foundation the result is likely to be a vigorous crop of 

 weeds. If turfing is resorted to, the grass will decline as 

 soon as the nourishment in the sod is exhausted. Sod 

 used by builders and contracters is often obtained from a 

 nearby vacant lot and contains in most cases many 

 pestiferous weeds. Under such conditions no amount of 

 faithful watering can correct the original evil. If there 

 is a poor stand, it is best to plow up the ground and begin 

 again. If the stand is good, the condition of the lawn 

 can be maintained or even gradually improved by mow- 

 ing, rolling and watering when water is needed. 



If a lawn is to be established on land about a dwelling 

 and such land is covered by the clay from the excavation 

 and by refuse from the building operations, it will be 

 necessary to remove a portion of this sterile soil and fill 



