94 
GRASS SEEDS FOR LAWNS. 
Photographed and Copyrighted by J . C. & Co. 
A WELL KEPT LAWN. 
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO MAKE A 
NEW LAWN AND RENOVATE AN OLD ONE. 
Preparation of the Ground. 
Dig up the ground to the depth of the blade of a 
spade or fork, throwing over the spadefuls so that the 
underneath soil will be brought to the surface, the old 
turf being turned below. Pick out roots, weeds, and 
large stones as the work proceeds. 
Whenever soil is dug up or disturbed it is as well 
to seize the opportunity and dig in stable or farm-yard 
or other manure. If the spade cannot be stabbed 
through the turf, it may be found necessary to take the 
turf off with a turfing iron, or it can also be done with 
the spade. 
Break up the clods with an iron rake, and level up 
the ground ; all large stones, roots, and weeds being 
gathered up and taken away. 
It is necessary to consolidate the surface before 
sowing seed. Grass will not thrive in a loose bed 
because the sun or frost penetrates and destroys the 
tender rootlets. 
This operation is undertaken with a heavy roller ; 
roll and cross-roll, all weak places being carefully 
levelled up with the rake. This will leave the surface 
smooth and firm. 
Sowing the Seed. 
Before sowing the seed it is well to disturb or 
scratch the soil very lightly with an iron rake, and in 
*37 . *38, & 97, High Hoi born, London. — 1904. 
this state it is ready to receive the seed. 
This operation should be undertaken on a calm day ; 
grass seed is very light, and the least puff of wind will 
blow it away. The ground should be divided into 
squares of 4 yards each way, or 16 square yards, and the 
seed required for that area should not be less than 
1 pound, which is at the rate of 1 bushel of 25 pounds to 
an area of 20 yards each way, or 400 square yards. 
The weight of seed that we recommend is a great 
deal more than a farmer would sow for agricultural 
purposes, but then pasture grasses are more robust and 
spreading — a liberal seeding is necessary for quick 
results and a firm close turf. The operator should not 
wear boots with high heels as they disturb the level of 
surface. The seeds when sown on the ground should 
almost touch one another. 
Quantity of Seed Required. 
One bushel of seed weighs 25 pounds. This is the 
least that we can recommend for an area (see Diagram) 
which has been divided into 25 parts, allowing one 
pound of Grass Seed to be sown on each. 
The object of dividing up the area and seed is to 
insure an even distribution, and it avoids any possibility 
of the sower missing a small part of the ground by 
accident. 
Do not use less seed than is recommended. If the 
surface is not thickly seeded, the grass may appear 
tufty, and must be renovated at the following season, 
whether spring or autumn, whichever is the nearest. 
