Directions for Planting a Lawn 
How can I obtain a velvet turf? This question is asked every seedsman thousands of times a year. 
First of all, know something about your soil. Litmus or Litmus paper may be obtained in small quantities 
from most druggists. Allow this liquid or paper to come in contact with your soil in various parts of the lawn. 
If it turns very blue, then it is too alkaline and should have a fertilizer to control this condition. If it turns 
very red it is too acid and should have lime applied. Provided it remains about the same color, of course 
there is little to fear, although a slightly acid soil is desirable. If you have difficulty ascertaining the con- 
dition of your soil, your seed dealer will be glad to aid you. If the local seedsman cannot help, mail a small 
sample of your soil to your local county agricultural agent or your State Experimental Station. We urge the 
use of Arsenate of Lead on lawns which are located in the Japanese Beetle area. This is important as no 
matter how good the seed may be, your grass cannot thrive on grub infested soil. As an all purpose fertilizer 
for lawns we recommend our LANDGRO Brand which affords the plants a complete meal. 
Level the ground as best you can and if planting in Spring or Summer wait two weeks before sowing 
seed in order that some of the weeds may start to grow. These should then be dug out. This delay is not 
necessary in Fall planting, as there is little to fear from weeds at that time. 
It is Just as natural for grass to grow on a lawn as it is for hair to grow on a head. In both cases, 
however, certain conditions may destroy or prevent the growth. 
Sow the seed evenly, allowing 125 to 150 pounds per acre for best results, or about one pound for 200 
square feet. In renovating lawns as much seed need not be used. When watering during the Summer months 
be sure to soak the ground and do not sprinkle as this tends to bring the roots to the surface. Do not cut 
new grass (with the exception of Creeping Bent) until it is 2 inches in length and established lawns do best at 
13inches. Landreths’ Grass Seeds are tested by government agencies or approved laboratories for purity and 
germination. They are imported from the finest growing districts in the United States and abroad. 
On page 51 may be found the correct mixtures for use under certain conditions. To plant an ordinary 
lawn mixture in the shade is like running your automobile on kerosene. The car may run for a short time 
or perhaps not at all. Landreth Shady Place is really different from the other mixtures and actually contains 
the grasses which you see growing under the trees in a wild state in almost every pasture. The New Jersey 
Department of Agriculture has issued special formulas for shade and other unusual conditions, as have 
many other institutions in various sections of the country. Ask your seed dealer to write the D. Landreth 
Seed Company for special mixtures for your particular conditions if you do not see what you want listed 
in this catalog. We have hundreds of excellent formulas and can enable you to grow grass where many fail. 
Tips on Maintaining Lawns 
Lawns planted in the Spring should be seeded as early as possible. Fall sowing is more satisfactory. 
As a general rule, the permanency of a lawn varies according to price. The higher the price of the seed, the 
more permanent grasses are used. 
Damage to lawns is done by annual weeds and crab grass. It doesn’t help much to dig these out after 
the plant has dropped its seed. The attack should come before. 
Too close mowing is not desirable. For best results do not clip under 13 inches. Most soil in the shade 
is too acid. Lime should be applied. This is a general rule and of course there are exceptions. 
Shall I plant clover in my lawn? The answer is mostly according to individual taste. Most people 
prefer a seed mixture including clover and lawns seem to survive the hot Summer better when clover is used 
in the formula. 
In watering the lawn do not sprinkle the surface. This does more harm than good. Water as little as 
possible but do it thoroughly so the water will sink in three or four inches. 
A lawn, like anything else which grows, needs food. It is best to fertilize early in the Spring or in the 
Fall. We do not recommend any Summer fertilizing except in making new lawns late in August. 


The Proof of the Pudding Is in the Eating 
In the preceding pages we have told you hew good Landreths’ Grass Seed is and others have found 
itso. Many experienced turf superintendents have used our grass seed for years. Some well known clubs 
among our customers are—The Germantown Cricket Club, Merion Cricket Club, Overbrook Golf Club, 
Philadelphia Country Club, Philadelphia Cricket Club, Sunnybrook Golf Club and Torresdale- ranked 
Country Club. Follow the experts. Try Landreths’ seeds for your own lawn this season. 


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