LAWNS 65 



developing later. Grain, especially rye, may be used for 

 the same purpose. This practice is not to be recom- 

 mended if a first-class lawn is desired. It is to be looked 

 upon as a makeshift to take the place of careful prepara- 

 tion of the soil. 



White clover is often used in mixtures, the only dis- 

 advantage being that it interferes with the uniformity 

 of appearance. On the other hand, it has a distinct 

 advantage in that it acts as a soil renovator and tends to 

 maintain its fertility, this being due to the presence of 

 nitrogen-fixing nodules on the roots (Par. 15). 



83. Preparation of the soil. — It is necessary that the 

 soil intended for a lawn should be placed in the best pos- 

 sible condition for receiving the seed. It should be ren- 

 dered light and porous to the depth of 10 inches or more 

 by suitable tilth, should be well drained, and should be of 

 the best consistency, that is of the combination of sand, 

 clay and humus known as rich loam. It is usually neces- 

 sary in addition to thorough tillage to fertilize the soil. 

 Well-rotted barnyard manure, free from weed seed, is 

 the best fertilizer, but not always easy to obtain. Com- 

 mercial fertilizer may be used alone or with barnyard 

 manure, the amount depending on the nature of the soil. 

 Poor soil may take 400 pounds an acre of bone-meal. 

 Wood-ashes supply potash and render heavy soils lighter. 

 Lime should be added when necessary to counteract 

 acidity if blue-grass is to be used. 



84. Seeding. — Only the highest grade seed should be 

 used. There is great variation in the weight of blue-grass 

 seed, depending on the proportion of chaff. Good seed 

 should weigh about 22 pounds to the bushel. Of such 

 seed three bushels should be sown to the acre. The seed 

 should be sown evenly and rolled or lightly raked in. The 



