Repair Lawn Injuries in Early Autumn 
The most favorable season of the year for improving 
the vigor of established lawns, is early fall. By that 
time summer weeds have ceased growth, and the im- 
provement measures adopted will be of primary bene- 
fit to the turf grasses, The more important general 
treatments are the application of lime to correct ex- 
cessive acidity, distribution of a commercial fertilizer, 
and the thickening of thin turf by planting seed of 
adapted grasses. Lawns which suffer from poor soil 
drainage may require installation of agricultural tile 
drains, whereas those that are shaley, sandy, or have 
a compact undesirable soil structure will be greatly 
improved by the thorough incorporation of organic 
matter to a depth of several inches, and replanting. 
The majority of lawns, however may be restored to 
vigor by inexpensive means. 
Excessive soil acidity makes the turf extremely sus- 
ceptible to drought injury, prevents the proper re- 
sponse to fertilizer treatment, and predisposes the 
grass to ready injury from insects, diseases and other 
adversities. The amount of lime required will depend 
on the present degree of soil acidity. In general, 50 
pounds of hydrated lime or 75 pounds of ground 
limestone evenly distributed over each 1,000 square 
feet of surface is usually sufficient for healthy turf 
production. Autumn is a favorable season for liming, 
since the penetration of lime into the soil is aided by 
fall rains and the successive freezing and thawing of 
winter and spring. 
All lawns should receive an application of a complete 
commercial fertilizer in early fall, to stimulate vig- 
orous growth during the cool moist autumn weather. 
Even though the turf be severely injured, timely ap- 
plication of fertilizer will frequently restore the turf 
to its normal density. Plant food equivalent to that 
contained in approximately 20 pounds of a complete 
commercial fertilizer, containing 5 to 8% nitrogen, 
& to 12% phosphoric acid, and 4 to 6% potash, 
should be applied for each 1,000 square feet of lawn 
surface. Commercial fertilizers analysing 5-10-5, or 
somewhat similar, are readily obtained from dealers 
in garden supplies. Uniform distribution of both lime 
and fertilizer is highly essential for the production 
of satisfactory turf since these materials move down- 
ward but not laterally in the soil. 

For 25 years DOUGHTEN SEED has been reliable seed 
