52 YARD AND GAEDEN 



lined — by finely pulverizing the surface and 

 making the top soil perfectly smooth. It 

 should, of course, be freed from all rubbish, 

 such as roots, stones and the like. Sow the 

 seed in April or May or in September. In the 

 South, however, seeding can be done in Febru- 

 ary and November. If the spring is selected 

 sow the seed as soon as the ground can be got 

 into fit condition. Broadcast the seed. Dis- 

 tribute it evenly over the entire surface of the 

 ground and at the rate of not less than four 

 bushels to the acre — five would be better. For 

 smaller areas use at least one quart of seed 

 to every 300 square feet. In England, noted 

 for its fine velvety lawns, li/o cwt. is used per 

 acre and one pound per square rod. 



It is hardly necessarj" to suggest that a day 

 should be selected for the sowing that is quiet, 

 for wind will bear the fine seed away and half 

 of it will be wasted, while an even distribution 

 will be practically impossible. When sowing 

 keep the hand close to the ground and swing the 

 arm freely, taking care to scatter the seed thor- 

 oughly, not allowing it to bunch. Do not hesi- 

 tate to sow thickly. Thick sowing is an advan- 

 tage in more ways than one. In the first place 

 it prevents weeds from getting a firm foothold, 



