114 GARDEN PLANNING 



seed from a reliable firm and -follow closely 

 their printed instructions. Old seed purchased 

 from local sources, even if bearing a well- 

 known name, may be disappointing, and grass 

 seed sold in bulk at small country stores may 

 contain an undesirable percentage of other 

 seeds or chaff. 



Sow broadcast, taking care to leave no bare 

 places ; cover at once with a sprinkling of fine 

 dry soil and roll. If the surface soil is damp 

 it will pick uo on the roller, and bring the seeds 

 with it. 



Birds must be kept away by stretching black 

 cotton or garden netting over the ground, or 

 by covering it well with pea brush or other 

 similar bushy material which may be at hand. 



The grass plants should make their appear- 

 ance within twenty-one days. If rain has 

 followed the sowing it may be earlier. 



When they have obtained a height of from 

 three to three and one half inches the ground 

 may be rolled, and the next day the mower 

 should be passed over it, taking the precaution 

 to set the knife so that it does not cut close to 

 the ground. It must be in the best condition 

 for cutting, or it will drag up the young grass 



