Preparation of the Land 39 



clover. One-half of this quantity would be sufficient if it 

 all was certain to germinate and if no weed-seeds started 

 into growth. 



SOWING THE SEED 



After the land has been made perfectly smooth and fine 

 by raking, rolling, and reraldng the seed should be divided 

 into two or more lots. The first lot is then sown in strips 

 or lands, as evenly over the surface as is possible, and then 

 raked in, taking care not to move the soil from place to 

 place, thus bunching up the grass-seed with it. The second 

 lot of seed is then sown in strips crossing the land at right 

 angles to the first sowing, thus securing the most even 

 distribution of the seed possible. 



A rake with long teeth set about 2 inches apart is better 

 than the common iron-toothed garden-rake. If nothing 

 better can be obtained, the common wooden hay-rake will 

 be found to work well. 



It is the general practice to roll the ground with the 

 garden-roller after the seed is sown, but in extremely hot 

 and dry weather, while the soil may be more thoroughly 

 firmed about the seed by rolling, the smooth rolled surface 

 leaves the young seedling so much exposed to the action of 

 burning sun and drying winds that if a good seed bed has 

 been made grass often does better if the surface is not 

 rolled at all. 



BORDERING WALKS AND DRIVES WITH TURF 



Before the seed is sown, if the edges of walks and drives, 

 flower beds, etc., are bordered with strips of fine turf on each 

 side, much after labor will be saved, for it is very difficult 

 to trim up the edges of a newly seeded lawn without destroy- 

 ing much of the grass; and until the walk is completed and 

 well settled there is more or less danger that the outline will 



