PERFECT LAWNS, like many other worthwhile things 
in life, do not just happen. On the other hand, lawns 
of beauty are easily obtainable if certain simple but 
essential principles are adhered to in their creation 
and maintenance. The purpose of this booklet will be 
to point out the “musts” in successful lawn culture, 
and, if possible, avoid the technical. 
We will begin with 
THE NEW LAWN —In starting a new lawn several im- 
portant features must be given consideration. Among 
these are: Drainage, Preparation and Grading ef Soil, 
Consistency of Soil, Fertilization of Seed Bed, ihe Use 
of Suitable Seed. If any of these feaiures are neg- 
lected, results are almost certain to prove unsatisfactory. 
DRAINAGE—Care must be used in grading in crder 
that low areas or “bowls” will not exist in lawn upon 
completion, as grass cannot grow if at any time en- 
_tirely submerged. Sub-soil drainage may be nsces- 
“sary in extreme conditions. 
TOP SOIL—tThe ideal soil texture for lawns ‘s a sandy 
loam containing about 10% to 15% organic matier. It 
should be four inches or more in depth. If you have 
soil of this nature you are indeed fortuna‘e and only 
o complete fertilizer applied at the rate of 10 to 25 lbs. 
per 1000 square feet in the Spring and Fall, is cl! that 
you. will need for the starting of your lawn. 
A NEW LAWN ON POOR SOIL—Spade or plow the 
areo to a depth of at least four inches. 
If the soil is quite sandy, one inch of clay thcroughly 
mixed with the sand will be of much benefit to th2 
lawn grasses. Clay useful for this purpose is generally 
lacking in organic matter, so the Jawn maker can 
overcome this by @dding the organic matter to the 
soil. It is possible to have «@ fair lawn on sani, pro 
vided the owner is equipped to water frequenily dur- 
ing the dry, hot spells. Even in such cases it is desir- 
able to work plenty of organic mat'er into the sand 
in preparation for the lawn. 
If the lawn is being established on stiff clay soil, 
working from 1 to 3 inches of sand into the surface 
will be beneficial. Here, again, organic matter is 
highly desirable. 
SOURCES OF ORGANIC MATTER—We!l rotted stable 
manure is the best known source of this element for 
soil improvement. Its disadvantages, however, are the 
odor, expense and inevitable weed content. Dehy- 
For 25 years DOUGHTEN SEED has heen the reliable seed 
