FARM MANAGEMENT 71 



retentive of moisture and less liable to let the sward made on it be 

 killed in times of drought. 



It is hardly possible to make the soil too rich. In fact, it ought 

 to be as rich as it can be made, as the lawn is to be a permanent 

 feature and not to be renewed year after year. Therefore fertilizers 

 should be liberally used to assist nature. Thoroughly rotted and 

 composted stable manure is the best, but it should be as free from 

 weed seeds as possible. Experts recommend that the land should 

 receive an application of about 1,000 pounds of lime to the acre, 

 and then at the time of preparing the seed bed should be added from 

 500 to 1,000 pounds of fine-ground bone, together with 300 to 500 

 pounds of a high grade fertilizer. It should be remembered that 

 in the beginning nothing should be spared to lay a good founda- 

 tion for the sward that is to be made. 



The seed bed should not be more than an inch deep, but deep 

 cultivation and thorough preparation should be made in order that 

 the long, lateral feeding roots of the grass may find an abundance 

 of food. The soil, therefore, should be enriched to a depth of eight 

 or ten inches. The seed bed should be frequently and thoroughly 

 stirred, so as to grind the soil particles together, in order to release 

 the plant food. (Dept. Agr. B. 248; 0. Ex. S. B. 106; 111. U. B. 

 138; B. of S. B. 75.) 



About Grasses. After the ground has been thoroughly pre- 

 pared comes the selection of the grasses. All grasses are not adapted 

 to lawn-making, and grasses that will make a good lawn in one sec- 

 tion may not be adapted to another where different climatic condi- 

 tions prevail. In determining on the grass climatic conditions and 

 soil should be taken into consideration. Only such grasses as are 

 capable of making a close turf are ideal for lawns. Such grasses as 

 are able to withstand drought or severe atmospheric changes should 

 be selected. The list of suitable lawn grasses is a very limited one. 

 In the localities where ideal soil and climatic conditions are not 

 present a mixture of grasses is recommended. Where the proper 

 condition of soil and climate obtain a better and more satisfactory 

 lawn can be made by using a single variety than with a mixture. 



In the North Atlantic coast 'States and in those of the Middle 

 West, and as. far south as Northern Georgia, Kentucky bluegrass is 

 best adapted for lawns. Bluegrass thrives best in a comparatively 

 retentive soil, where rain is abundant. Upon soils of a lighter char- 

 acter, and in localities where precipitation is greater, such grasses as 

 red top, Rhode Island bent grass, creeping bent grass and white 

 clover are more to be relied upon. These grasses all have the same 

 ability to make a compact and deep sward as does bluegrass. In 

 the States south of the Potomac white clover forms an important 

 part of seed mixtures for lawn use. A good mixture is equal weights 

 of Kentucky bluegrass and red top, with a pound of white clover to 

 the bushel of the mixture. Bluegrass and red top mature at differ- 

 ent seasons, the red top reaching maturity some weeks later than the 

 bluegrass, thus keeping up a better succession through the season. 



