Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-07-09
How to Make a Lawn.


In landscape gardening one of the es-
sentlals is green, smooth-shaved lawn.
landscape cannot be effective without
this. The arrangement of the trees and
shrubbery and the laying out of meander-
ing walks are, of course, matters OF first
necessity; but the vistas of green sward,
with their changing lights and shades, are
indispensable, in order to complete the
living picture. The lawn cannot receive
too much attention. There are multitudes
of people, we regret to say who know
very little about the method and labor
necessary to secure q good lawn. 1t is by
no means uncommon TO hear persons of
taste and leisure, who would be supposed
to be acquainted with the subject, inquire
at a seed store for the seed of that grass
which grows short and thick-just suited
to make a fine green lawn. As such seed
is by no means to be obtained, they are
generally served with q package of some
of the common grass seeds, which, sowing
and treating as they have heretofore done,
ends in failure and disappointment.
From the number of grasses grown in
the States, selection may be had Of those
we'll suited to make by proper treatment a
good lawn. For this purpose we would
suggest red top, Kentucky blue grass,
orchard grass and timothy. Not that
these are by any means what are inquired
for as producing "short fine grass" but as
offering an excellent mixture for the pur-
pose. Red top is one of the earliest
spring grasses, showing the green leaf on
the first opening Of spring. Kentucky
blue grass commences a vigorous growth
the last of May, after the red Sop has near
ly perfected itself; and the blue grass, be-
ing very soft-leaved grass, not inclined
to grow stalky, covers the ground to a
very great extent. Orchard grass is coarse
growing, but roots deep, is very little
affected by drouth, springs up quick after
being cut, and furnishes beautiful car
pet of green mixed with the other grasses,
when without it the lawn would not APP
pear as well. Timothy answers the same
purpose to some extent.
Above all things eschew white clover
1t is an utter nuisance, and in a short
time will crowd out and overrun all the
rest of your grasses. Besides, it will not
bear close shaving, but will present a
ragged and dirty appearance, spelling the
beauty Of the lawn.
The seeds having been selected should
be sown on well-tilled ground, made level
and of fine tilth raked in and rolled down
WHICH, GIlC SIOuul Is uOb bOO -ClSC IL
will become hard on the surface and pre-
vent the vegetation of the seeds. "Sod-
ding" if your grounds are not extensive,
will give you lawn year earlier,
But the planting is the smallest part of
Illuminating. The great secret of a good
lawn is in frequent and persistent cutting.
This may be done with scythe, but the
neatest and most effective way is to buy a
'1awn mower" These implements are
readily handled and keep the grass at an
exactly uniform surface The object of
frequent moving is to induce root growth.
Our summers are generally pretty. dry;
and when grass has been kept short dur
ing the early part of the season, it is not
SO apt to burn in hot weather. With fire
quent cutting, nothing but the leaves of
the grasses are presented, the coarse stalk
not being allowed to grow. Neglect,
however, the frequent moving, and no
amount Of planting or sodding, or flower
beds or other ornaments can compensate
for the bad effects. Cut at least once in
two weeks, unless the season becomes
very dry, rake off clean and you will soon
discover the true ''lawn grass" You will
have a green, velvety surface, which will
set off and give effect to your paintings
in manner which will even surprise
yourself-Sprinafeld (IU) Journal.