LAWNS 59 



solving it in water, using one pint to forty gal- 

 lons of water. The effect of nitrate of soda 

 will be observed almost immediately ; the grass 

 will take on a fresher color, a deeper, richer 

 green, and will make vigorous growth. Hard- 

 wood ashes, however, are especially valuable as 

 food for lawns of Kentucky blue-grass. Bone 

 meal is one of the most permanent fertilizers, 

 and is chiefly valuable, so far as grasses are 

 concerned, for its phosphates. Lime used on 

 the lawn should be air-slacked; it is best as a 

 winter dressing, and should be applied at the 

 rate of a pint cup full to the square yard. 



ROLLING THE LAWN 



The application of fertilizer is by no means 

 the only thing necessary to maintain a lawn in 

 good condition. The turf must be rolled and 

 the grass mowed and watered. Some indica- 

 tion of the value of rolling has already been 

 given in this chapter. It is important and 

 should never be neglected where the best re- 

 sults are sought. The rolling is necessary in 

 order to make the roots as firm as possible and 

 should be applied frequently. The heavier the 

 roller the better it is for the lawn. In the 

 spring as soon as the ground becomes work- 



