202 AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



a layer of impervious subsoil, a moderate dynamiting 

 will do. 



The drainage of a clay soil should be attended to first. 

 The topsoil may be improved and lightened by the liberal 

 use of lime and manure. Coal ashes or sand, if available at 

 a reasonable price, may be incorporated by shallow plowing 

 or forking. Heavy rolling should be avoided. 



All these methods are in the nature of preliminary work, 

 affecting mostly the physical condition of the soil. It may 

 seem like unnecessary trouble to remake your soil before you 

 begin making your lawn, but as a matter of fact it is saving 

 trouble for future years. Anything that will tend to insure 

 permanent success from your first sowing will be worth 

 while. 



Preparing the Soil for Planting 



Fertilizing is another problem, and a double-barreled one. 

 It is desirable to give the young grass strong, quick growth, 

 and also to incorporate in the soil a supply of plant food that 

 will last for years. For the latter result a supply of high- 

 grade complete fertilizer should be added to the soil when 

 it is being harrowed or raked. The quick-acting plant food 

 should be incorporated with the compost or top-dressing 

 used upon the surface, to be immediately available for the 

 sprouting seed. 



Almost all new lawns should be heavily limed. Even 

 when the soil is not more acid than is desirable, the physical 

 effect upon either sandy or clay soils is worth the cost. 

 Raw ground limestone is the best form for general use. 

 Wood ashes are desirable, but when a large lawn is to be 

 made it is cheaper to buy lime and potash in other forms. 

 In buying ready-mixed fertilizer, a 3-8-10 formula will be 

 suitable. The low percentage of nitrogen is made up for by 

 the nitrogen added in the top-dressing and by an annual 

 dressing thereafter. The soil should be thoroughly pul- 

 verized by harrowing and raking. 



The eventual success of the lawn depends to such a great 

 extent upon giving the grass plants a quick, strong start that 



