80 MANUAL OF GARDENING 



propagated by roots, but imported seed (said to be from Austra- 

 lia) is now available. The Bermuda-grass becomes reddish 

 after frost; and English rye-grass may be sown on the Bermuda 

 sod in August or September far south for winter green; in 

 spring the Bermuda crowds it out. 



When and how to sow the seed. 



The lawn should be seeded when the land is moist and the 

 weather comparatively cool. It is ordinarily most advisable to 

 grade the lawn in late summer or early fall, because the land is 

 then comparatively dry and can be moved cheaply. The surface 

 can also be got in condition, perhaps, for sowing late in Septem- 

 ber or early in October in the North; or, if the surface has re- 

 quired much filling, it is well to leave it in a somewhat unfinished 

 state until spring, in order that the soft places may settle and 

 then be refilled before the seeding is done. If the seed can be 

 sown early in the fall, before the rains come, the grass should be 

 large enough, except in northernmost localities, to withstand the 

 winter; but it is generally most desirable to sow in very early 

 spring. If the land has been thoroughly prepared in the fall, 

 the seed may be sown on one of the late light snows in spring and 

 as the snow melts the seed is carried into the land, and germi- 

 nates very quickly. If the seed is sown when the land is loose 

 and workable, it should be raked in ; and if the weather promises 

 to be dry or the sowing is late, the surface should be rolled. 



The seeding is usually done broadcast by hand on all small 

 areas, the sower going both ways (at right angles) across the 

 area to lessen the likelihood of missing any part. Steep banks 

 are sometimes sown with seed that is mixed in mold or earth to 

 which water is added until the material will just run through 

 the spout of a watering-can; the material is then poured on the 

 surface, which is first made loose. 



Inasmuch as we desire to secure many very fine stalks of 

 grass rather than a few large ones, it is essential that the seed 



