62 A MANUAL OF FARM GRASSES 



yard manure free from weed seed is the best fertilizer 

 but is not always obtainable. This should be well in- 

 corporated with the soil. In the absence of barnyard 

 manure, artificial fertilizer may be used. Those pre- 

 paring a lawn are not likely to know what ingredients are 

 lacking in the soil, hence it is best to use a complete 

 fertilizer. The amount necessary depends upon the con- 

 dition of the soil. Ordinarily one may count on using 

 300 to 400 pounds per acre or approximately 2 to 3 

 pounds per square rod. If the soil is lacking in lime, 

 this ingredient should be added in the form of slaked 

 lime, land plaster or gypsum at the rate of 5 to 10 pounds 

 per square rod. 



Seeding should be done early in the spring. It is im- 

 portant that the best seed be used. On account of the 

 method of harvesting, the viability of bluegrass seed is 

 likely to be rather low in the best quality; in a poor 

 quality the seed may be almost worthless. The seed is 

 sown at the rate of about 60 or even 100 pounds per 

 acre or about 1/2 pound per square rod. It is a favorite 

 practice in some localities to sow the seed upon the late 

 snow and allow it to sink into the soil as the snow melts. 

 Some authorities recommend sowing the seed with some 

 grain such as oats or rye. The grain germinates first 

 and acts as a nurse crop. Later the grain is mowed off. 

 Usually, however, better results are obtained by sowing 

 the grass seed alone. 



The directions above given apply to the production of 

 a bluegrass lawn of uniform texture and color. If uni- 

 formity in these respects is not required, and the condi- 

 tion of fertility and tilth have not been "fully met, it will 



