Sour Soils 



purpose well. This may be applied at the same 

 time as the sulphate of ammonia, and a dressing of 

 superphosphate is often of great benefit, the latter 

 being used at the rate of 2-4 cwts. to the acre (f to 

 1| oz. to the square yard, or | to 3 lbs. to the square 

 rod). No definite instructions for soil treatment 

 to suit all places and all kinds of lawns can be given, 

 but treatment such as has been advised wiU meet 

 most cases. 



A second sort of soil acidity has to be reckoned 

 with in great centres of population where acid from 

 chimney fumes is brought down by the rain. Lime 

 will not protect plants from damage by this, and only 

 the use of the most acid-resistant grasses like Poa 

 annua is likely to result in the growth of even a 

 moderate lawn. These fumes, and the tarry deposit 

 which collects on the leaves and owes its presence to 

 the same source, do irreparable damage. 



While dealing with lawns another set of troubles 

 may be referred to — the difficulties met with in 

 growing grass under trees. Comparatively few 

 grasses are attuned to the dim light that reaches 

 them under the shade of trees — ^most require the 

 full fight of the open meadow. Of these few but 

 one or two are fitted for the pecufiar treatment 

 lawns necessarily undergo, Poa nemoralis being the 

 best of them, and choice must fall upon them for a 

 grassy covering in such places. Even these, however, 

 are apt to be kUled out, for not infrequently their 



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