LAWNS AND GRASS PLOTS 



37 



When lar^e areas are 

 to be sown it is best 

 to divide the lawn 

 into approximately 

 ten-foot squares and 

 treat each separate- 

 ly, else it will be 

 difficult to sow uni- 

 formly. To cover the 

 seeds, the areas 

 should then be raked 

 in two directions, 

 after which the lawn 

 should be thoroughly 

 rolled. This will com- 

 pact the soil so that 

 the seeds are in con- 

 tact with the soil 



An eflfective disposition of a lawn. 



There is a tendency here to overdo through too heavy a 



planting. This arrangement entails much labor to keep 



in condition 



particles. 



Mowing 



When the young grass has been up for perhaps two weeks it is 

 often best to roll it and defer the first cutting until the plants are about 

 three inches tall. The new lawn should not be cropped too closely, 

 but should be cut regularly. The grass will then be induced to spread 

 out rather than grow tall. If cut weekly, the clippings should not be 

 removed; they will be useful to protect the roots against the sun as 

 well as to furnish an excellent mulch. If, however, the grass has 

 grown long, the chppings should be raked and will be a good mulch 

 for use about perennials in the borders. 



Care of the Lawn 



The yearly care of the lawn consists first of a shght mulch of 

 thoroughly rotted manure in the Winter. This not only protects the 

 grass from the cold, bu^t supplies plant food as well. In the Spring, 

 when growth first starts, the coarser material should be removed and 

 the lawn given a dressing of bonemeal. An application of nitrate of 

 soda, which is best applied in solution (one oz. to two gallons of water), 

 will give the lawn a good start. To renovate the lawn, seed can usually 

 be sown about one-half as thickly as for new lawns. 



Frequently bad spots are found. These are often due to the fact 

 that in grading some large stone has been left in the soil which cuts 

 off the supply of water from below. At other times the soil becoming a 



