Lawns and Tennis Grounds from Seed 



at whatever time of year a sowing may be made. After the plants 

 are established they easily hold their position. 



Festuca rubra (Red Fescue] possesses many desirable qualities 

 which are of especial value in a lawn. The foliage is very fine, 

 close-growing, endures hard wear, and the plant is not exacting as to 

 habitat. It thrives on the driest and poorest soils as well as on the 

 best loams. The true variety is quite distinct from other fine-leaved 

 Fescues, and pure seed is difficult to obtain. 



Lolium perenne Suttoni (Suttoris Dwarf Perennial Rye 

 Grass}. Most of the Perennial Rye Grasses are too coarse for a 

 lawn, but this variety is adapted for the purpose, alike for the 

 fineness of its foliage and the dwarf branching habit of growth. The 

 plant tillers out close to the ground, forms a compact sward, and 

 retains its verdure throughout the year, unless burned by excessive 

 drought, from which it speedily recovers. The quick maturity of 

 this grass is another advantage, as it occupies the ground while 

 slower-growing varieties are developing. 



It is very important that Perennial Rye Grass should be closely 

 mown from its first appearance and during the entire growing 

 season. If allowed to form seed-stems they become unsightly and 

 mar the appearance of the lawn. Those who object to the presence 

 of Perennial Rye Grass should mention the fact when ordering 

 seeds. 



Poa pratensis (Smooth-stalked Meadow Grass). In the United 

 States Poa pratensis is often sown alone for lawns. During the first 

 year the effect is disappointing, but subsequently it makes a satis- 

 factory turf, choking weeds and putting forth fresh green foliage with 

 astonishing rapidity after the burning drought experienced in that 

 country. In England better results can be obtained from a com- 

 bination of seeds, and we do not advise the exclusive employment 

 of Poa pratensis. Although somewhat shallow-rooted, it endures 

 drought remarkably well. Light land, rich in humus, is its favourite 

 resort, and it will also grow, but not with the same freedom, on 

 heavy soil. The plant does not develop its full proportions in the 

 first season. 



Poa trivialis (Rough-stalked Meadow Grass) is somewhat 

 similar in appearance to Poa pratensis, but instead of being adapted 

 to dry light soils, it flourishes in strong moist situations, and unless 

 the land contains abundance of potash and phosphoric acid the 

 plant speedily disappears. Poa trivialis should be liberally employed 

 for shaded lawns, as it endures with impunity the presence of trees. 



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