MOWING, ROLLING, AND WATERING 51 



follows upon the cutting time the advantage 

 of this slight protection to the soil is consid- 

 erable. 



If the grass has been allowed to grow to a 

 considerable length, it will be necessary to 

 rake oflF the clippings, and especially so if the 

 soil is moist and very rich, because the cut 

 grass will hang too heavily about the roots, 

 and rotting, will give origin to a good deal of 

 trouble. 



On very poor soils it may be advisable to leave 

 the clippings even if they are long. Rest as- 

 sured that they will never be detrimental 

 to the lawn unless they produce an unsightly 

 effect. The cut grass will soon wither in the 

 hot sun, and a few hours after the lawn mower 

 has been taken over the surface there will 

 be very little trace of the clippings. 



THE IDEAL MOWING DAY 



Select a dull, cloudy day for mowing, if 

 possible. The grass will cut more easily, and 

 if it is to be raked off after clipping it is more 

 easy to handle, and the shock to the plant from 

 the cut surfaces is considerably less on a day 

 when the sun does not strike with all its force. 



