CHAPTER VII 



LAWNS 



A LAWN is an open area covered with grass and kept 

 closely mown. The term is applied especially to tracts 

 near dwellings, but may be applied to closely mown areas 

 near other buildings or in parks. Other plants than 

 grasses are occasionally used, wholly or in part, such as 

 white clover. The lawn is primarily for ornament, com- 

 plete in itself or part of a general place in landscape 

 gardening. 



77. Essentials for a lawn. — An ideal lawn consists of 

 a firm even sod supporting a vigorous growth of vegetation 

 of uniform texture and pleasing color, the whole kept 

 closely mown. With rare exceptions the conditions can 

 be supplied only by grasses. A grass to be suitable for 

 lawns should propagate by rootstocks or stolons, should 

 be fine and soft in texture, and should be dark green in 

 color. The most popular lawn-grass is Kentucky blue- 

 grass. The only other grasses that fulfil the requirements 

 mentioned are Rhode Island bent and creeping bent, both 

 varieties of redtop. Another important lawn-grass is 

 Bermuda-grass. Several other grasses are used for special 

 conditions (Par. 81). 



78. Blue-grass is an ideal lawn-grass throughout the 

 region to which it is adapted. It thrives best in a moist 

 moderately cool climate and on limestone soils. Blue- 

 grass forms a firm even sod which, under proper conditions 

 and treatment, is permanent. The texture is fine and 



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