The Wichita daily eagle., 1896-06-05
FOR A GOOD LAWN.
-Four Essentials to Establish One and In
suro It's Permanenoo.

-Four Essentials to Establish One and In
suro It's Permanenoo.
This is the season when we are often
ssked how to establish a good lawn
and insure its permanence. Downing
names three essential requisites: /.
Deep soil. 2. Proper kinds Of grass.
3. Frequent moving. For this climate
would add a fourth-that is, plenty OF
water.
II the subsoil is hard and tenacious it
should be well unGerlrained and
trenched, or subsoiled to a depth of 1G
or ID inches, SO as to create a reservoir
for holding moisture which may be
drawn upon by the plants as needed
during the dry times. This matter OF
subsoiling does not receive the atten-
ton it deserves in our climate. Many
persons seem to think that if the sur
face soil is in good condition nothing
further is needed. Such persons should
bear in mind that it is deep soil only
which will furnish moisture for grass
roots through continued drought, so
that the lawn will remain green during
the entire summer and autumn
Again, too much attention cannot be
given to the preparation of the soil be-
fore the seed is sown. 1t should be
plowed and replowed, cultivated, har'
Towed and rolled until the whole is
thoroughly pulverized and mixed TO a
depth of ten inches. This work should
be doIe in the fall, and then the plot
should be left to settle all winter be-
fore the seed is soxn. The foundation
viii then be firm. This not only makes
a compact bed which the tender grass
roots need, but it will insure the lawn
against those little knolls and holiows
which are so Questionable in appear
ance and do so much TO obstruct the
use of the mower.
Only two kinds of grass are really
worthy OF consideration for this eli.
mate. These are the Ken lucky blue
grass (poa prateDsis) and red top
(agrcstis vulgnris). There are a few
others, such as Rhode Island bent grass.
finer kind of agrostis, which may be
sown, but it IS more expensive and
little superior 10 good strain OF red
top. A little sweet vernal grass or
white clover may be added, but neither
is essential. The coarser grasses, such
as timothy, orchard grass or meadow
fescul. should never be sown in lawn.
They ere ShorL-iived and too coarse and
stiff TO make soft, velvety carpet
There arc many lawn mixtures aever-
tised and sold at high prices; scne OF
them are good and will make excellent
lawns, but, II analyzed, tho best o.
them Will be found 10 consist mainly OF
blue grass and red top. which iney be
bought in the market for from $3.50 &C
$3.50 a bushel.
To seed properly. from two 70 threc
bushels VIII be required 20 the acre
owing in some measure 10 the amount
OF ehaff mixed with the seed Thii
should be sown as early il the spring a.
possible, SO that the young plants may
become well established before the ho-.
dry weather OF midsummer The sow
ing Of oats with the seed has been rec
ofnmended as q protection 70 the
young grass plants. but l have nevcI
Yet found that strong. gTass-feedinz
plant like the oat would furnish pro
lection 70 g delicate. slow-groving one.
On the contrary, the sO-called prOtectoI
viii rob the weaker plant Of It's nouzish-
nent- Red top gerninases much more
quickly than blue grass. and viii fur.
niSh all tae protection necessary De
sides covering The surface with gree1
coat almost as quickly as oats VII
After the blue grass gets lis root wei
established in deep. rich soil il VII
need 10 further protection but VIII IS
sumo entire control IN = very short
SINE
IAe third essential j. early a1d ire