FRUIT-TREES AND GRASS. 57 



be of thick, fine-growing varieties, such as are em- 

 ployed in Central Park and other pleasure-grounds. 

 Mr. Samuel Parsons, Jr., Superintendent of Cen- 

 tral Park, writes me: "The best grass-seeds for 

 ordinary lawns are a mixture of red-top and Ken- 

 tucky blue-grass in equal parts, with perhaps a 

 small amount of white clover. On very sandy 

 ground I prefer the Kentucky blue-grass, as it is 

 very hardy and vigorous under adverse circum- 

 stances." Having sown and raked in the seed very 

 lightly, a great advantage will be gained in passing 

 a lawn-roller over the ground. I have succeeded 

 well in getting a good " catch " of grass by sow- 

 ing the seed with oats, which were cut and cured 

 as hay as soon as the grain was what is termed " in 

 the milk." The strong and quickly growing oats 

 make the ground green in a few days, and shel- 

 ter the slower-maturing grass-roots. Mr. Parsons 

 says, " I prefer to sow the grass-seed alone." As 

 soon as the grass begins to grow with some vigor, 

 cut it often, for this tends to thicken it and produce 

 the velvety effect that is so beautiful. From the 

 very first the lawn will need weeding. The ground 

 contains seeds of strong growing plants, such as 

 dock, plantain, etc., which should be taken out as 

 fast as they appear. To some the dandelion is a 

 weed ; but not to me, unless it takes more than its 

 share of space, for I always miss these little earth 



