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Lawn Seed Situation 
The lowest estimates of the 1953 crop of Kentucky Bluegrass seed proved 
realistic indeed. The price of this major component of many lawn seed mixtures is 
at the highest level in history, actually several hundred percent above its average for 
the past ten years. While admittedly, a desirable lawn grass under ideal conditions 
and certainly one of the best for athletic fields, it is, in our considered opinion, presently 
priced far beyond its economic value as a lawn grass. We have always used Kentucky 
Bluegrass sparingly in our mixtures, knowing even nominal amounts would make its 
presence known under favorable conditions. Our reason for limiting the use of Ken- 
tucky Bluegrass are many, the most important of which is its susceptibility to leaf 
spot disease from which it often collapses in cool, wet, spring weather. Many Blue- 
grass lawns were severely damaged by this disease in the springs of 1952 and 1953. 
Bluegrass weakened by attacks of leaf spot readily falls prey to crab grass and weeds. 
One has only to compare the performance of individual grasses in our turf garden to 
properly appraise the value of lawn seed mixtures, made with the proper component 
varieties. To maintain the small percentage of Kentucky Bluegrass which WEST- 
CHESTER GREEN has always contained, we have again been forced to advance 
pace to the extent of our increased cost. With lawn seed prices on a terrific plateau, 
uyers should observe their conditions carefully before selecting seed for making a new 
lawn or renovating an old one. 
Good seed is only one important ingredient of a fine lawn. Proper soil pre- 
paration, drainage, adequate plant food, lime, sunlight, moisture, good seed and 
intelligent management are among the more important factors to lawn success. The 
finest lawn seed mixture in the world cannot compensate for failure to correct or modify 
a poor physical soil condition, dense shade, poor drainage, etc. We know some folks 
buy good seed year after year and plant it in a hopelessly shaded lawn or on compacted 
clay soil where it never could hope to become established. 
Analyze your condition. If soil, sunlight, drainage and your own willingness 
appear favorable, plant WESTCHESTER GREEN. If only minimum soil modification 
is required as was the case when we planted our WESTCHESTER GREEN lawn here 
at our store, by all means make the necessary soil corrections. We have never added one 
ounce of seed to our lawn here since it was planted in October 1946. 
There are no miracle or fool-proof grasses. Only rarely is an individual variety 
of grass likely to result in a beautiful lawn in this portion of the country. Lawn grasses 
have different likes with respect to soil and temperature. The Red Fescues can be beautiful 
indeed, in spring and fall. They might easily look moth-eaten in July and August 
humidity. Kentucky Bluegrass may look perfect in March only to collapse with leaf spot 
in April. Meyer Zoysia or U-3 Bermuda would be perfect in July and August but appear 
as dead straw in the northeast from October till May. The Colonial Bents are perhaps 
the best universal grasses especially in the northeast, but they too are occasionally subject 
to disease in unfavorable summer weather. Properly blended mixtures bring out the 
good points of each and tend to minimize their weakness. 
The success of any lawn will depend primarily upon proper attention to soil 
preparation and good management after the lawn is established. Good management of 
the established lawn will include some form of cultivation, such as aerification with 
power or hand tools. If unfavorable factors have been corrected, good seed, adequate 
fertilizer and lime used, and the lawn is still a mess, there must be some other expla- 
nation. Sometimes on problem lawns, temporary or special purpose grasses may be the 
answer. Listed among our various mixtures will be found virtually every permanent 
and special purpose type of grass capable of producing turf in any situation where grass 
may be expected to grow. 
Lawn seed is our major business. Compare our formulas and prices with any on 
the market. We are confident the values offered, even if you live hundreds of miles 
away, make it advantageous and economical to order your seed from THE LAFKINS. 
We know the lawn seed mixtures bearing our name are your best buy. The reason is 
quite simple. We buy in carlots direct from the best growers and processors of lawn 
grasses all over the world. Over 90% of our lawn seed sales are made direct to you. 
The small balance is sold to the better type landscape contractors who build and maintair 
fine lawns. Even if your landscape contractor says he uses our seed, we urge you to 
examine the package. Be sure the seed is in the original sealed box or bag. 
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