THE FORMATION OF LAWNS FROM SEED 371 



this grass cannot be dispensed with in lawns at whatever time 

 of year a sowing may be made. After the plants are established 

 they easily hold their own against all comers. 



FESTUCA RUBRA (Red fescue) often remains green when 

 other grasses are burnt up, and on this account it is valuable for 

 lawns on dry soils. The plant attains perfection in the second 

 year. 



LOLIUM PERENNE SuTTONi (Suttori s Perennial Rye Grass). 

 Most of the Perennial Rye Grasses are too coarse to be fit 

 for a lawn, but this variety is eminently suitable for the purpose, 

 alike for the fineness of its foliage and the dwarf branching habit 

 of growth. It tillers out close to the ground, forms a compact 

 sward, and retains its verdure throughout the year unless burnt 

 by excessive drought, from which it speedily recovers. The 

 quick maturity of this grass is another strong point in its favour, 

 for it occupies the ground while slower-growing varieties are 

 developing. 



POA PRATENSIS (Smooth-stalked Meadow Grass). In the 

 United States Poa pratensis is often sown alone for making 

 lawns. During the first year the effect is disappointing, but sub- 

 sequently it makes a satisfactory turf, choking weeds and putting 

 forth fresh green foliage with astonishing rapidity after the burning 

 drought experienced in that country. In England better results 

 can be obtained from a combination of seeds, and we cannot 

 advise the exclusive employment of Poa pratensis. For a some- 

 what shallow-rooted grass its endurance of drought is remark- 

 able. Light land, rich in humus, is its favourite resort, and it 

 will also grow, although not with the same freedom, on heavy 

 soil, but it is next to useless on sand. The plant does not 

 develop its full proportions in the first season. 



POA TRIVIALIS (Rough-stalked Meadow Grass) is somewhat 

 similar in appearance to Poa pratensis, but instead of being 

 adapted to dry light soils, it flourishes in strong moist situations, 

 and unless the land contains abundance of potash and phosphoric 

 acid the plant speedily perishes. Poa trivialis should be liberally 

 employed for shaded lawns, as it endures the drip from trees with 

 impunity. 



POA NEMORALIS SEMPERViRENS (Evergreen Meadow Grass). 

 From the perpetual greenness and dwarf close-growing habit 

 of this grass it is admirably suited for lawns and pleasure grounds. 

 It commences growing very early in spring, and although it is 



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