220 The Care of the Lawn 



When moss makes its appearance on the lawn it 

 means that the soil needs attention. It may 

 need fertilizing or it may require better drainage 

 conditions. Refertilizing will usually cause its 

 disappearance. 



After sowing lawn grass seed, roll the lawn to 

 press the seed down. A fine sprinkling of water 

 will also weight the sand and help to keep the 

 seed from blowing away, but the sprinkling must 

 be in very fine sprays. Rolling should precede 

 watering, otherwise many of the seed will adhere 

 to the roller. 



In purchasing grass seed, select the best. Five 

 pounds of good seed is worth more than ten of 

 poor. Poor seed will not mature well and a second 

 sowing will have to be made before successful 

 results can be obtained. Mixed seed is usually the 

 most satisfactory. 



When watering the lawn, do a thorough job and do 

 it late in the afternoon after the sun has gone 

 down. Be sure that the soil is moist all the way 

 to the ends of the roots, and then do not water it 

 again until the soil is dry. A little water is in- 

 jurious rather than beneficial. 



