64 A TEXT-BOOK OF GRASSES 



Buffalo-grass gives excellent results in the semi-arid 

 region of the Great Plains. The seed is not on the market 

 but the grass is easily grown from cuttings. It forms a 

 firm sod like Bermuda-grass and has the same objection 

 of being light green in color. Buffalo-grass requires no 

 mowing as the foliage remains short and curly. 



Rye-grass is sometimes used for lawns though it pos- 

 sesses few of the necessary characteristics. It is used 

 chiefly in mixtures to produce quick results as it grows 

 vigorously the first season. It is coarse and bunchy and 

 not suited to a lawn when sown alone. 



Korean lawn-grass is coming into use along the coast 

 from South Carolina to Florida. 



82. Lawn mixtures. — One of the characteristics of an 

 ideal lawn is uniformity of texture. This can be obtained 

 only when a lawn is made up of a single species. To pro- 

 duce a lawn of uniform texture requires special care. 

 From the standpoint of practicability it may not 

 always be convenient or even possible to fulfil the con- 

 ditions necessary for an ideal lawn. Hence, the use of 

 mixtures by which better results in some ways may be 

 obtained than by using a single species. This applies 

 particularly to the humid regions. The character or con- 

 dition of the soil may be such as to prevent the produc- 

 tion of a uniform stand of a single species. It is well 

 known that a properly chosen mixture will in these cases 

 produce a thicker turf and will do so in a shorter time than 

 if a single species is grown. 



The chief or even the only objection to a mixture is 

 the lack of uniformity. A closely mown lawn will show 

 variations in color corresponding to the different species 

 of which it is composed. Rye-grass is sometimes included 

 in a mixture to give quick returns, the other components 



