XIV 



LAWNS AND LAWN-MAKING* 



and well-kept piece of greensward 

 is a beautiful and pleasing object, restful alike 

 to the eye and body. It thus has both aesthetic 

 and practical value, and justifies whatever ex- 

 penditure its making and maintenance entail. 



GRASSES FOR THE LAWN 



In selecting the grass the lawn-maker will be lim- 

 ited to the fine-leaved, turf -forming species suitea to 

 his conditions of soil and climate. Adaptability is of 

 more importance than color or texture, though these 

 must be considered. There is usually more than one 

 species adapted to any given conditions. The United 

 States may be divided into three general sections, be- 

 tween which, however, no definite line can be drawn. 



NORTHERN STATES 



For all this section, extending from the Atlantic 

 to the Pacific, with minor exceptions, Kentucky blue- 

 grass is the standard for lawn-making. The excep- 

 tions are the Atlantic Coast, discussed below, and parts 

 of the Great Plains region where rainfall is somewhat 

 deficient. In this latter region buffalo-grass and Can- 

 ada blue-grass should be carefully tried. Over most 

 of the Northern States red top and the other bent grasses 



* By Carleton R. Ball, United States Department of Agriculture. 

 2OO 



