About Lawns and Lawn Grass Seed 
FORMATION OF LAWNS FROM SEED. 
In the first place, see that the ground is thoroughly draiued and well prepared. The soil ought not to be 
too rich, as a rapid growth is not wanted in the grasses of a lawn ; but in preparing it for laying down, let 
the surface be as much alike in quality as possible. 
If the ground is in condition to raise a good crop of potatoes, it will njake a good lawn ; add about half 
a ton of bone dust to the acre, harrowed in before sowing the seed. After sowing, the seed might be raked 
in very slightly or just covered with a bi-ush harrow. The ground should then be rolled in order to press the 
seed firmly into the soil. 
The proper tiuie to sow grass seed depends, of course, upon the latitude. In the central and eastern states 
from the middle of March to the middle of April is the best time, just as the last frost is leaving the ground. 
If sown later, the grasses may not be strong enough to stand the hot, dry summer months. Seed may also be 
sown in the fall, provided it is done early enough to secure a good, strong growth before winter sets in. If the 
young plan^3 are not well-rooted, they are liable to be killed by frost or thrown out of the ground by the action 
of alternate freezings and thawings. That is the objection to fall sowing. The advantage of it is that, if the 
grass comes safely through tlie winter, it has a good start in the spring. The sowing should be done when the 
ground is moist, or before an expected rain, and a subsequent rolling is always advisable. 
Let the ground all have a surface of about six inches alike, for nothing looks worse than to see a lawn grow 
all in patches. One exception, however, maybe mentioned, and that is, if there be any steep slopes facing the 
south, or other exposed places, let the earth on them be better and deeper than on the ground level, as they 
are more liable to burn out. 
Rolling.— As soon as the frost is out of the ground in the spring, the land should be gone over with a 
heavy roller. "Winter frosts loosen the soil, and rolling is necessary to compress it again. If grass seed is to 
be sown, this should be done first and the rolling immediately afterward.s. Prequent rollings are recommended. 
Mowing.— All turf-forming grasses are improved, both in vigor of root-growth and in fineness of texture, 
by frequent mowings. It is impossible to say just how often the grass should be mown, as that depends upon 
the rate at which it grows. Too close cutting should be guarded against, however, especially during the hot 
summer months, when the roots require some top-growth to protect them from the burning sun. For the same 
reason it is as well not to rake off the cut grass, as it quickly settles about the roots and forms a valuable pro- 
tective mulch. A good top-growth is also necessary to protect the roots from severe winter frosts. Mowing 
should therefore be discontinued in time to let the grass grow pretty long before winter sets in. 
To Gkass a Bank oii Terrace.— For each square rod, take a pound of lawn grass seed and mix it thor- 
oughly with G cubic feet of good, dry garden loam. Place in a tub, and add liquid manure, diluted with about 
two-thirds of water, so as to bring the M-hole to tlie consistency of mortar. The slope must be made perfectly 
smooth, and then well watered, after which the paste should be applied, and made as even and as thin as 
possible. 
- THE THORBURN LAWN GRASS. 
For many years we -sold our best lawn grass under the name of Thorburn's "Central Park Mixture," but we 
find that this name is now applied by many dealers to mixtures of their own, diifering entirely from the article we 
have been furnishing. We therefore drop the name "Central Park," but we shall continue to put up the same seed 
under the name of " Thorburn Lawn Grass." This is distinctively our own mixture, composed exclusively of 
tlie grasses that our long experience has proved to be tlie most suitable for American lawns, making the most 
lasting turf of the richest color and finest texture. The Thorburn Lawn Grass should be sown at the rate of 4 to 
5 bu.shels to the acre (15 lbs. to the bushel). Per quart, 25 cts. ; peck, C5 cts. ; peck, $1; bushel, $3.50. (Wo 
can also make special good mixtures at lower prices.) 
THORBURN'S LAWN-RESTORING GRASS SEED. 
A mixture of grasses peculiarly suited to take firm hold and grow quickly on hard, worn-out or burned spots, 
lo restore a lawn iliat is partially worn-out or burned, the best time is very early in spring, as soon as the frost 
i.s entirely out of the ground. The bare spots should be well scratched or raked up, and this seed sown liberally. 
Cover the seed very thinly with eartli, and then roll or press down firmly with the back of the spade. Some 
Lawn-restoring Gtass Seed should be kept always on hand, and before every rain during the summer some of it 
should be sown on any part that may appear thinner than tlie rest. Seed may be sown in fall, as late as from 1st 
ot September to 1st of October, according to the weather. Price per quart-box, 30 cts.; per bus. of 24 lbs., $5. 
PERMANENT GRASS SEED FOR GOLF LINKS. 
On appliciitioii wo shall be pleased to send, free of charge, our well-known pamphlet on "The Seeding and 
1 reservation ot (-iolf Links" to interested parties. We invito correspondence on this subject, to which wo have 
given much attention. 
Coif Links Mixture. For the grounds in general. Per bushel of 20 lbs., $2.50. 
, Mixture. A mixture of extra fine grasses, that will make a close, firm, green and lasting 
turt, which will luiprove tlio more it is tramped on. Per quart, 30 cts.; peck, $1.50 ; bushel of 24 lbs., $5. 
