LAWN MAKING, 



A beautiful lawn is always one of the most attractive features of 

 home surroundings. It can be easily made, and with the right manage- 

 ment a good stand of grass can be secured in a few weeks. 



Where surface irrigation by flooding is to be practiced, the ground 

 should be carefully graded so that water will run readily to all parts and 

 be evenly distributed over the surface. It is often necessary to take off 

 considerable of the top soil in grading, and it is better to have the exca- 

 vation deep enough in the first instance to permit of easy irrigation for 

 many years, thus making allowance for the natural filling up of the lawn 

 from any cause, rather than be compelled to re-make the lawn in two or 

 three years afterwards. Of course, where hose is used for watering, this 

 precaution is not so important. After the necessary grading has been 

 done, and the ground nicely leveled, turn on the water, not only to see 

 that it will flow easily, but to settle the earth, so that any defect may be 

 discovered, and remedied, in the grading. When sufficiently dried out to 

 work, spread on a liberal quantity of well-rotted, fine manure, and spade 

 in thoroughly. 



If a large plat is to be sown, a plow may be used instead of the 

 shovel or spade. After this is done, rake or harrow the ground smoothly 

 and sow the seed. "Fancy mixed lawn grass" may be used, or nice clean 

 Kentucky blue grass, with white .clover. 



The quantity of each required varies somewhat according to the soil. 

 But it should be thickly sown in all cases for best results. After sowing 

 it may be necessary to run lawn roller over the ground. 



The proportion of seed used where a mixture is desired varies from 

 three to five parts of blue grass to one of clover. Sometimes equal parts 

 are sown. A pound of mixed seed will usually be ample for three hun- 

 dred square feet of ground, and it is estimated that about five bushels 

 would be required for an acre. 



White clover makes a quick growth, and a very pretty temporary 

 lawn. 



