LAWNS AND GRASS PLOTS 35 



also objectionable. Many a home yard is utterly spoiled by this 

 spotty appearance. The suggestion is to let the lawn stand for a 

 feature by itself, and to arrange the trees, shrubs and flowers at the 

 margins. In many cases no better effect can be gained than by 

 allowing the cool green lawn to run directly up to the brick or brown 

 stone houses. 



In establishing a lawn it should always be remembered that 

 the first preparation is the important one; because it will remain for 

 years before being dug up again. If the soil is a heavy clay, it must 

 be drained, for the grasses most used in lawns do not tolerate "wet 

 feet." If grading has. been done, soil which was at the surface must be 

 provided for a surface layer, because subsoil does not contain the proper 

 organisms for good growth. If top-soil is not obtainable, it is better 

 to seed for a year with Peas and Oats which should be spaded or plowed 

 under when in juicy growth. Any soil will benefit by an apphcation of 

 well decayed manure. Fresh manure contains weed seeds and will 

 always prove troublesome. Besides manure, there is nothing better 

 than ground bonemeal. This will continue to supply the beneficial 

 food substances for a great length of time. Before the seed is sown, 

 the soil must be raked very smoothly and the stones removed. It 

 should be firm and perfectly level, for every hollow will show later. 

 A little rolling will compact the soil just enough for seeding. 



Seed Mixtures 



No one variety of lawn grass is the best. In order to get 

 results we must not depend on one grass alone, but must so mix 

 our varieties that a thick turf is formed not only quickly, but per- 

 manently. Some grasses live but a year, and require an annual re- 

 sowing. Cheap mixtures contain some of these. It is interesting to 

 know that the roots of some grasses go deeper than others; for this 

 reason good mixtm^es utilize the whole top-soil most advantageously. 

 Reputable seedsmen can be depended upon to supply proper mixtures 

 for various purposes. Go to them, tell them your soil conditions, and 

 they will give you the proper mixture. 



Kentucky Blue Grass is no doubt the most used. It does not 

 make a good sod the first year, but improves in subsequent years. It 

 succeeds admirably on the limestone soils. In Midsummer, it is apt 

 to become somewhat brown. Canada Blue Grass is useful for dry and 

 clayey soils and seems able to resist drought. Many of the Fescues 

 are extremely valuable. The Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue has the nar- 

 rowest blades. The Hard Fescue is useful in forming a dense mat and 

 stands drought. Besides these, the Creeping, the Sheep's and the 

 Meadow Fescues all form sods, and are useful for mixtures. 



