56 YAKD AND GARDEN 



FEEDING THE GRASS 



Wlien a lawn is properly treated in the pre- 

 liminary stages and manure is incorporated 

 with the soil as it is spaded or plowed and raked 

 or harrowed, little need be done in the way of 

 feeding the grass for six or seven years, but 

 where the soil is thin or the lawn has been es- 

 tablished for some time fertilizer of some sort 

 is necessary. It should be remembered that the 

 grass is feeding continuously and exhausting 

 the plant food of the soil. What it is taking 

 from the soil is not given back in any degree, 

 because the grass is mowed and the mowings 

 carted away. Then, too, it should be remem- 

 bered that grass is a permanent crop and it is 

 impossible, once it is established, to assist it by 

 the cultivation which it is possible to give to 

 other crops, whether they be flowers or vegeta- 

 bles. 



Fertility can be added l)y spreading over the 

 surface a dressing of organic manure. Use 

 cow manure if it is possible to obtain it and 

 place it on the lawn after the ground is frozen 

 — this prevents the cutting of wheels of the cart 

 or wheelbarrow into the sod. Be sure that the 

 manure used is well rotted, that it is old. 



