The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-31
CITY NEWS.
N0W'S THE TIME
TO FIX THE LAWN
NEW LAWNS SHOULD BE SEEDED
OLD ONES FED.
With the Frost Coming Out and the
Spring Rains, Conditions Are just
Right for veNety Yards Later in
the Year.

Followers Of the city identifying
ideas of Charles Milford Robinson are
beginning to think about the condi-
ton of their lawns. Experts declare
that lawns are neither expensive to
build nor difficult to maintain. The
first requisites are good soil, good seed
to begin with, plenty Of water and an
occasional jaunt over it's surface with
a lawn m ower-a
Minneapolis has always been cele-
brated for the beauty of it's lawns,
both in the public parks and in the
residence districts. The suggestions
which follow have been gathered from
the experiences Of some Of these sue
cessful lawn growers. ., =
After the lawn is graded, the first
thing is to give the entire surface a
a prime requisite. A lawn cannot
thrive unless it have an abundance
Of decayed vegetable matter to feed
upon. If the ground is sloping, a
thicker dressing is necessary than
where the ground is level, as heavy
rains will oftentimes wash the top
soil away, especially before the lawn
has had time to become well estab-
lished.
The surface should be made per-
fectly level, and after this the seed
Of seed per acre.
A less quantity can, Of course, be
used. but the larger the quantity the
more speedily will good lawn be OBJ
tanned. Some of the grasses are
"slow spreading" and if not well
seeded. weeds are likely to gain a
footing in the open spaces. One-half
of the seed should be sown in one
direction. After this is done the other
half should be sown at right angles
In this way an even distribution OF
the seed is obtained, especially by
those not in the habit Of sowing grass
seed. All seed should be sown broad
cast by hand. After it is thus applied
the rake should come into play AND
all inequalities Of surface smoothed.
The lawn should then be gone over
with a roller to press the seed into
the ground. # a garden roller is not
attainable and the lawn is not too
large the work can be done with a
large board, the object in all cases be-
ing to obtain smoothness. Water
should be freely used as constant
watering gives the healthy appearance
to. grasses which is SO generally adj
rnired. After the grass is In good
condition 1t should be cut every week
or ten days during the season.
Care Of Old Lawns.
Old lawns are easil repaired. II
they are in fair condition the dead
leaves and grass should be removed ir
the early spring and seed scattered
over the thin spots. At this season 0,
the year, thoroly rotted manure make!
should be sure that it is thoroly rot
ted. Other kinds may contain seed!
of different grasses and weeds ant
work a positive damage to the lawn
Prepared fertilizers are good and may
be used in place Of manure. No mat
ter how thrifty the lawn may become
! tinued cutting Of the grass bring
about a rankness of growth which will
pauperize the soil If It is not caret
for in some way. 80,
If a lawn has been badly neglected
1t should be raked over in the earl.
spring with short toothed steel rak,
In order to clean off dead leaves ant
twigs. A coating Of rich loan shoule
l then be spread over 1T, filing up tn,
low places and making all even. If i
Is very much below grade, it ma,
i prove best to remove the old turf AM
fill the low places with loan, replacin,
the turf and putting a light coatin,
Of loan over that. If the grass is thi1
and the turf poor, it is perhaps hes
to fill UP the ground and proceed a.
with q new lawn. sowing seed AM
4 ignoring the turf below. IF the tur
is replaced 1t will be necessary t,
sprinkle lawn seed literally over thu
surface at the rate Of one quart t,
\ every 800 square feet.
A Lawn grass Is a voracious feede
\ and Will thrive and hold its color un
less 1t receives sufficient supply Q
} suitable food. A well fed lawn is al
q ways a velvet lawn The use Q
manure has been explained. Som
|object to its use on the ground of dan
ger to health and the objection won't,
i appear to have some foundation.