HOW TO GROW GOOD GRASSES. 107 



roller should be actively employed from the time the 

 grass seeds have well come up until they are fairly 

 established, when, if mown the second year with the 

 machine, its rolling will be sufficient. 



Occasionally there will be bald places in parks, such 

 as some of the worn spots in Hyde Park, which it 

 would be advisable to provide seed for, that should 

 have an immediate effect. In this case we should mix 

 a small quantity of the Poa annua with the above, as 

 it not only effects the object of making the whole 

 look green very quickly, but so small a grass scarcely 

 interferes with the growth of the more permanent 

 species, which would meanwhile be making their 

 position, and so ultimately drive out the annual. 



It now only remains to point out that the constant 

 mowing of lawns, although it only takes away young 

 grass, must in time have the effect of impoverishing 

 the lawm. In such case, the grass will not be of so 

 bright a colour as formerly, and it will become more 

 or less mixed with moss. In this state of matters the 

 grasses die, and different species of agarics live upon 

 the decaying roots. 



In this condition we find that colour and fertility are 

 restored by a good sprinkling of soot, which usually 

 operates very beneficially for four or five years. After 

 this period a little guano, say one part to three parts 

 of soot, will do better. Another method of restoring 

 fertility is that of an occasional use of house slops, 

 diluted with five parts of water ; this showered evenly 

 from a watering-pot, engine, or hydropult, usually 

 has a most beneficial effect. 



In concluding this subject of " How to Grow Good 

 Grass," the author would w r ish to impress upon his 

 readers the important fact, that as our country is so 



K 



