THE FORMATION OF LAWNS FROM SEED 377 



can, however, often be made immediately the grass can be spared 

 from play at the end of the season, but it certainly must not be later 

 than the middle of September. The possibility already alluded to of 

 losing the clovers in winter applies here also, and the sward should 

 be examined in spring to ascertain whether another sowing of seed 

 is necessary. 



A weak-growing sward may be stimulated by the application of a 

 pound of Concentrated Manure stirred into ten gallons of water. 

 This quantity will suffice for a rod or perch of land, and it should 

 invariably be administered in the evening. . Dry artificial manure 

 scattered over the surface in hot weather will certainly scorch the grass. 



We have occasionally been asked whether a lawn which is thin 

 might not be allowed to thicken its herbage by seeding. A more 

 disastrous course could not be pursued. It has exactly the opposite 

 effect to that desired, by weakening the standing plant without 

 resulting in any corresponding advantage. The little seed that is 

 produced comes from the coarser varieties alone, and the benty 

 growth will take years to overcome. 



Moss IN LAWNS is generally a sign of poorness of soil, and some- 

 times indicates the need of drainage. But before laying in drain 

 pipes, remedial measures may be tried, especially as the work of 

 draining sadly cuts the place about. There may also be a difficulty 

 as to the disposal of the outflow. To improve the grass either put 

 the rake heavily over the sward, or if the lawn be large enough 

 employ a toothed harrow to drag out as much moss as possible. 

 Then spread over the turf a compost, previously prepared, of lime 

 mixed with rich soil, in the proportion of one load of lime to four 

 loads of soil. Ten cartloads required per acre. At the same time, 

 a sowing of seed will fill the ground with young healthy plants, 

 which will assist in preventing a reappearance of the moss. 



CRICKET AND RECREATION GROUNDS scarcely fall within the 

 limits of our present subject, and we must therefore restrict ourselves 

 to a brief statement. 



All that has been said respecting the preparation for, and the 

 sowing and after management of lawns applies to cricket and recrea- 

 tion grounds. Unfortunately, these are not invariably prepared with the 

 requisite care, nor are they always sown over their entire surface with 

 the finest and most appropriate grasses. On the playing square of a 

 cricket ground the necessary cost of labour and seed is justly regarded 

 as imperative. The more important club grounds are levelled with 

 utmost precision, and are maintained with scrupulous care to insure 



