36 
FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 
If one wants the effect of a deep rich 
lawn, in winter, similar to some of the 
best lawns in the north in summer, Ital¬ 
ian Rye. seed, broadcasted on the Bermu¬ 
da turf and covered lightly with a top¬ 
dressing of soil, will, in about two or 
three weeks, if kept moist, give you the 
results desired. 
It has been stated in bulletins, and pa¬ 
pers, previously, that a periodical reno¬ 
vating of Bermuda sod, is very beneficial, 
and in our experience, this statement has 
been proven. We try, about every two or 
three years, to plow or disc our Bermuda 
sod, judging by the condition of the grass 
to determine when this is necessary. This 
renovating is particularly necessary in 
our high pine land, where the grass is 
noticed, at the end of the period men¬ 
tioned, to lose strength of growth. By 
turning this sod , a new and vigorous 
growth is invariably the result. A light 
application of fertilizer is very benefi¬ 
cial at this time. 
In preparing our putting greens for the 
winter season, we mow them as closely 
as possible, to the ground, letting the cut¬ 
tings drop. This is usually done by the 
first of November. We then fertilize 
them thoroughly and get them reasonably 
moist, following immediately with Italian 
Rye Seed and Red Top, the latter giving 
a ^nuch finer texture to the green than 
the Rye, alone. 
Our hard work is then over, and all 
one has to do, is to mow, water and feed 
them regularly, and get them” in such 
shape that no matter how badly a golf 
ball is putted, it will, ultimately, fall in 
the. cup, which, believe me, is no small 
undertaking, golf players, as a rule crit¬ 
icizing everything about a green before 
recognizing their own errors. 
It would seem to me, that the secret, 
if it is such, of getting a good lawn in 
Florida, is the same as in the north. One 
would not think of planting a lawn, there, 
without first applying, liberally, an appli¬ 
cation of stable manure if nothing else; 
and here, in God’s country, we surely 
need to give the same care and attention 
to one of the. finest and most beautiful 
landscape features, possible—a well kept 
lawn. 
