GENERAL CULTURE 205 
one can be ready for it by the end of Septem- 
ber. Within five or six weeks from the time of 
sowing, if this is done in the spring, the first 
clipping should be done, providing all condi- 
tions have been favorable. This seems very 
soon perhaps, but it is this early cutting which 
helps to make a dense and compact stand 
eventually. 
Grass should never be cut shorter than two 
inches on either new or old lawns, for its roots 
are left unprotected from the scorching sun 
when it is shorter than this, and this means that 
dry weather or very hot will burn it sere and 
brown. Mow often, even as often as every 
fourth or fifth day if necessary to keep it at 
this height, especially on a new lawn, and never 
rake away the clippings. They form the best 
possible mulch and fertilizer, and are so short 
when mowing is done as often and as regularly 
as it should be that they sift down among the 
standing grass immediately and are lost to 
sight. Reseed all bare spots every spring and 
take out weeds as fast as they appear, pepper- 
ing the space which is thus left bare with seed, 
whatever the season. This is the sort of care 
and watchfulness that achieves perfection with 
the minimum of labor, promptness being its 
chief feature. 
