LAWNS AND IvAWN-MAKING 209 



more favorable seasons. Midsummer sowings should 

 be especially heavy. For lawns, sandy soils will re- 

 quire heavier seeding than loamy ones, dry soils more 

 than moist ones, sterile soils more than fertile ones, 

 on account of the low germination under these con- 

 ditions, and rough land more than land in perfedl tilth. 

 Areas which are to be subjedl to rougher and more 

 constant usage require heavier seeding and also special 

 kinds of grasses. In general, small plats should re- 

 ceive proportionately more seed than larger areas. As 

 a rule, heavy seeding will be well repaid in all lawn 

 formation. 



The seed may be sown either by hand or with the 

 grass-seeding attachment on a grain drill, or with a 

 wheelbarrow seeder. If the area is large the use of a 

 machine is decidedly preferable. The wheelbarrow 

 seeder, though run by hand-power, will sow faster 

 than a drill. The seed is also likely to be more evenly 

 distributed with the machine than by hand unless the 

 sower has had much experience. A time should be 

 chosen when but little air is stirring. With either 

 hand or machine seeding it is best to go over the land 

 twice, the second time at right angles to the first, in 

 order to avoid leaving unsown spots. White clover- 

 seed may be mixed with the grass-seed before sowing, 

 and if a mixture of grass-seeds is used it should be 

 made by thoroughly mixing the seed in some large 

 vessel and all the kinds sown at once. 



As soon as sown the seed should be immediately 

 covered. This may be done either with the iron rake 

 or the roller, or both. If the rake is used it must be 

 done very lightly, as small grass-seeds will not germi- 



