
HAND BOOK FOR THE GARDEN 41 

For grass and grain, use at the rate of 100 to 200 pounds per acre 
when growth is well established. 
For home garden, apply in soluble form, using one ounce to two 
gallons of water. 
For sweet peas, apply in soluble form, using one ounce to two 
gallons of water. 
Nitrate of Soda should be applied directly to the soil and should 
not be allowed to touch the foliage. 
Care of Lawn 
SEEDING 
Seed should be sown at the rate of 100 to 125 pounds per acre or 
one pound for 300 square feet. While a smaller quantity can be used, 
it is well to be on the safe side and give weeds less opportunity to 
spread in places not yet occupied by the slower growing grasses. 
One-half the seed should be sown in one direction, the balance 
scattered at right angles. This will help secure a more even distri- 
bution of seed. For large lawns a wheelbarrow seeder is invaluable. 
On a small area it is well to divide the land into long sections by 
stretching strings 6 feet apart. Then sow each strip by bending over 
and scattering the seed evenly through the fingers held close to the 
ground. Whenever possible sow just before a shower. After seeding, 
rake the ground carefully (using a tool with sharp iron teeth) so the 
seed is partly covered with earth. If the soil is dry sprinkle with a 
fine spray and roll. Use a 400-pound roller if you can handle it, and 
you can if you have one of the new style with roller-bearings. 
LAWN REPAIRING 
If the lawn is in fair condition the dead leaves and grass should 
be removed early in the spring. When the surface is very uneven it 
may be necessary to fill up the hollows with loam. Then take a sharp 
iron rake and after first digging out the weeds scratch deep into the 
soil, breaking it up as fine as possible. Follow this with an application 
of some good commercial fertilizer, 10 to 15 pounds per 1,000 square 
feet or 400 pounds per acre. Wet this down at once with the hose. 
Allow to stand for a day or two, then sow Sterling Lawn Grass Seed 
liberally, using enough to cover all bare or thin spots. Lastly, roll 
the ground again. 
IMPORTANCE OF ROLLING 
Even if the lawn bein apparently good shape, it ought to be rolled 
each spring to firm the soil around the roots and press the turf back 
against the moist subsoil so the roots can absorb the water and plant 
food. During the winter, freezing and thawing loosen the soil and 
heave the turf away from the subsoil, leaving millions of sensitive 
feeder roots exposed to the air. In the spring this will cause the grass 
to soon dry out and die. In summer, too, sun and wind tend to dry 
out, bake and crack the surface soil around the roots and this is 
equally harmful to the lawn. Rolling will remedy this trouble, keep the 
surface even and discourage the attacks of worms, ants and moles. 
