without compost (right). Former shows much more 
vigorous growth, especially of finer grasses. 
The best and easiest way to feed the established 
lawn is by the yearly or bi-yearly application, 1/4- to 
1/2-inch thick, of atop dressing of compost to which 
the necessary fertilizers have been added. If this 
system is faithfully adhered to, it will seldom or never 
be necessary to apply fertilizers separately. 
i i—Sifted compost from the _ well-rotted 
heap may be used, or lacking that, a screened mix- 
ture of one part garden loam and one part horti- 
cultural peat moss or leaf mold. To each cubic yard 
of this sifted mixture, add ten to twenty pounds of a 
5-10-5 formula complete fertilizer; or better, of a 
reliable complete lawn fertilizer in which part of 
the nitrogen is supplied by organic materials. This 
will top-dress about one thousand square feet of 
lawn, and should be applied in early spring, as soon 
as the frost is well out of the ground. A second ap- 
plication in late August or early September is 
advisable. After applying, rake in with a wooden 
rake, and water. 
Where the above preferred method is not followed, 
ten to twenty pounds of a complete fertilizer can be 
applied to each thousand square feet of turf in early 
spring and again in early fall, but always when the 
grass blades are dry, to avoid burning. Sooner or 
later, however, it will become necessary to add humus 
to the lawn, and by mixing the fertilizer with the 
compost (as in Method I) the humus content is kept 
up at all times. 
cis 
