16 



TREES, SHRUBS AND PLANTS 



A row of cottages before planting. Note how bare and bleak they appear. 

 See the picture on the following page. 



Redtop (Agrostis alba) is a thick growing grass which produces a good 

 lawn effect the first season. It is of a finer texture than rye grass but 

 does not grow quite as rapidly on the start. It grows better under adverse 

 soil and moisture conditions than most other grasses. 



White clover (Trifolium alba) is frequently used on lawns as many 

 people desire the appearance of the white clover blossoms in the summer. 

 Others object to its tendency of giving the lawn a spotted effect. 



On a very sandy soil the Rhode Island Bent grass (Agrostis conina) does 

 well, while in very shady places the Woodland Meadow grass (Poa 

 nemoralis) may be used. Where the lawn is on high, dry situations or 

 slopes the Sheeps Fescue (Festuca ovina) will be found desirable, while on 

 low wet places the Various-leaved fescue (Festuca heterophylla) will thrive. 



For the average lawn, a good mixture is one-fourth Fancy Red Top, 

 one-fourth English Rye grass and one-half Kentucky blue grass. If the 

 area to be sown is small and the conditions of soil or exposure somewhat 

 variable, it is advisable to buy a high grade prepared lawn mixture from 

 a reliable seedsman. This mixture will generally contain- seed adapted to 

 various conditions and will prove more convenient and frequently better 

 than the homemade mixture on such a small scale. 



Frequently grass seed contains a great many weed seeds, often of a 

 kind that may prove a serious nuisance and expense to get out of the lawn 

 if they once become established. It is best to buy only the best seeds 

 from the most reliable seedsmen. If a large quantity is to be procured, 

 it would be advisable to send a sample to the Division of Botany of the 

 State Experiment Station where it will be examined for purity free of 

 charge. 



