Lawns and Tennis Grounds from Seed 



slugs spare the plants. Should there be failure from any cause, seed 

 must be sown in the following spring. 



The seeds can be more evenly distributed by two sowings than 

 by one, however skilful and practised the sower may be ; and the 

 second sowing should cross the first at right angles. The finer grass 

 seeds, being small and light, are readily blown to a distance by 

 a high wind ; a quiet time should therefore be chosen, and the sower 

 must keep his hand low. On large plots the seed-barrow can be 

 used with advantage, but even here we recommend two sowings, 

 instead of intrusting all the seed to a single operation. Where the 

 work of preparing the ground has been continuous, seed may be 

 sown immediately the bed is ready. The whole plot must then be 

 lightly raked once more, with the object of covering as many seeds 

 as possible. Those which are deeply buried will not germinate, and 

 those which are exposed may be scorched by the sun, or consumed 

 by birds. As a finish put the roller over twice, first north and south, 

 then east and west, and it must be done carefully, for on spots 

 missed by the roller the grasses usually fail. Good work will leave 

 the surface almost as smooth and true as a billiard table. 



It frequently happens that the preparation of the seed-bed is 

 completed in advance of the proper time for sowing, and the plot is 

 allowed to lie fallow. In such cases the surface often sets hard under 

 rain, and it is necessary to break the top crust into a fine friable 

 condition before the seed can be sown with a fair prospect of success. 



After sowing grass seeds, how soon will the lawn be fit for use ? 

 is a question frequently asked. No definite answer can be given. 

 The time depends on the period of the year, the weather which 

 follows the sowing, and the attention bestowed on the rising plant. 

 To these influences must be added the nature of the soil, aspect, 

 and district. An August or early September sowing should produce, 

 under favourable circumstances, and with generous treatment, a good 

 turf during the following summer. Spring sowings are dependent on 

 variations of temperature and other vicissitudes of the season ; but 

 when the atmosphere is genial and the plot receives due attention, 

 the plant rapidly fills the soil, and the sward is often firm enough for 

 careful use towards the end of July or beginning of August. 



On very dry soils a spring sowing is sometimes ruined when 

 followed by a period of hot dry weather. The soil may be suffi- 

 ciently moist to start the germs, but under a few days of fierce 

 sunshine the plant withers away, because the land becomes too 

 dry to maintain the young grass until rain falls. In cases of failure 



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