LAWNS AND THEIR UPKEEP. 



379 



and the surface that remained was not turf at all, but miniature 

 stubble. If this practice is continued for any great length of time, 

 the erstwhile lawn degenerates into a mass of moss, weeds, and 

 undesirable grasses. 



A suitably nourished, healthy lawn cannot be mown too frequently. 

 A run over every day with the lawn mower when the weather conditions 

 will allov/ — without the collecting box being attached — is not too 

 frequent. By adopting this method of culture the lawn is always 

 ready for any purpose that may be desired. Not only this, but by 

 doing so the energies of the grasses are directed into the right channel. 

 The manurial benefits derived from this practice are nil, but the 

 equalized growth obtained by it conduces to make the fine, close, 

 compact growth so desirable on a lawn. 



Renovating Old Lawns. 



Sometimes old lawns are ruthlessly dug up because they have 

 got into a bad condition. Before adopting this extreme measure 

 it is well to see closely whether they can be reformed, and unless the 

 turf is too thickly overgrown with weeds I have always found it 

 possible to do so. Where the lawns are very mossy they are generally 

 amenable to cultivation, but this cannot be done by the agency of 

 a garden rake, although it is a practice commonly adopted. It is im- 

 possible to rake away moss without rooting out grasses as well, and 

 however closely the teeth of the rake may be placed, they will not 

 clear away all the moss, and generally that which remains grows 

 away with renewed vigour, so that in a short time the lawn is as bad 

 as or even worse than it was before. 



In February last we were called upon to improve a shady lawn. At 

 that time it v/as practically a mass of moss, quite unsuitable for 

 croquet or tennis, for which purposes it was intended. The conditions 

 existing at that time were favourable for the growth of moss, and 

 unfavourable for the growth of turf. Accordingly the moss was first 

 killed with a chemical preparation and afterwards raked off. Then 

 another chemical dressing was applied, to stimulate grass growth. 

 Later on, during April, suitable grass seed was sown where necessary. 

 After that frequent mowing and light rolling were commenced, and 

 have been continued. 



This is only one type of the neglected old lawns. They are many 

 and varied, but at a meeting such as this it is impossible to go into the 

 details necessary for their improvement. But they can be improved, 

 and the work is well worth doing. 



Bowling Greens, 



A great expense is frequently incurred in the construction of Bowhng 

 Greens and importations of seaside turf which very frequently degene- 

 rates. A far less expensive and equally effective method is to sow a 

 good variety of Fescue on ground that has been carefully prepared and 



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