Lawns and Tennis Grounds from Seed 



more than three cwt. per acre will be necessary. After the applica- 

 tion of the manure about fourteen days should elapse before sowing 

 the grasses, or some of the seed-germs may be destroyed. 



The experiments on grass conducted at Rothamsted demonstrate 

 that by a consistent system of manuring, continued for a number of 

 years, the character of the herbage on any kind of soil can be con- 

 trolled. Mineral manures, such as kainit and basic slag, are favour- 

 able to the growth of clovers ; while nitrogenous manures, such as 

 sulphate of ammonia and nitrate of soda, encourage the growth of 

 grasses and are detrimental to clovers. 



Sandy and gravelly soils are generally deficient in humus, and 

 therefore a coating of rotten stable or farmyard manure applied 

 late in autumn will often produce a visible improvement in the grass 

 during the following spring. On such soils the dressing should be 

 repeated for several consecutive years. A loamy soil, rich in lime, 

 may with marked results be treated with a mixture of superphosphate 

 and sulphate of ammonia, in the proportion of three parts of the 

 former to one of the latter. 



Surface Preparation. A fine friable surface is requisite to 

 ensure favourable conditions for the seed, and in levelling the 

 ground there must be a diligent use of the rake and roller. It is not 

 sufficient to go over the ground once with each implement. Repeated 

 raking assists in clearing the land of stones, unless they are very 

 numerous, in which case it may be necessary to spread two or three 

 inches of fine rich earth over the surface. After every raking the 

 roller should follow, each time in a different direction. These 

 operations reveal inequalities, pulverise the soil, and impart to it the 

 firmness which favours germination. Grasses, particularly the finer 

 varieties, are too fragile to force their way through clods, and many 

 seeds will be lost altogether if buried to a greater depth than a quarter 

 of an inch. 



Selection of Seeds. The selection of grasses and clovers 

 which are to form a fine dense sward should be regarded as in the 

 highest degree important. They must be permanent in character, 

 adapted to the soil, and free from coarse-growing varieties. On land 

 which is liable to burn, clovers maintain their verdure under a hot 

 sun after grasses have become brown. Still, the two classes of plants 

 must be carefully proportioned, for although clovers show con- 

 spicuously in summer, they partially disappear in winter, when the 

 grasses are predominant. Clovers are also very slippery, they show 

 signs of wear earlier than grasses, hold moisture longer after a shower, 



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