The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1905-06-08
How to Improve
an Old Lawn or
Make a New One

NpbIlDS lclluo hlplt Shul III w
the appearance of a house than
we'll kept lawns surrounding it,
and nothing detracts more from
the beauty of home than un-
even, patchy-looking grass grow
ing in front Of it and on the sides.
The "house beautiful" really
begins on the outside, and lawns
which show care and attention do
more to set off house than
bright new paint. A house archi-
tecturally beautiful, but sur
rounded by scraggy lawns always
presents to the eye an unfinished
appearance that hardly ever
passes unnoticed.
To begin with, if you are con-
templating laying out new lawns,
the task will be found much
easier than trying to cultivate
bad spots in lawn already estab-
lished.
Good and quick drainage is the
first element to be considered,
The soil should first be graded,
clearing it of any abundance OF
stones. This first grading should
be done at least month or two
before seeding, so as to allow
time for the soil to settle. Not
less than ten inches of surface
soil should be carefully put over
the rough first grading, and the
grade should slope evenly away
from the house so that any sur.
face water will drain off quickly
This should, after a few days be
raked over once or twice.
You are now ready to seed,
Grass seed will be found the best
for newly worked soil. Rake ovel
portion of the soil lightly anC
scatter the seed in several direc
tions evenly. Be careful about
scattering the seed evenly al
much depends upon the seeding
to obUain an even growth of grass
For moist, soft ground, rolling
after seeding will be found yer,
beneficial, as it packs the roots o.
the seed more firmly. Dry sol
should not be rolled, as thu
young roots are likely to b.
crushed.
For the first growth, do not use
o lawn mower, but take a light
sharp scythe, as the roller on TIT
mower is apt to crush the life on
of the young grass, Cut evenly
and then be careful to rake off al
the cut grass and weeds.
The improvement of old lawns
is perhaps more often the cause
for worry than creating new
lawns, for as in most cases a bat
start is always harder to undo.
An unsatisfactory old lawn vii
be often greatly improved by
surface dressing of about ont
inch of rich manure just befor
freezing time IN the fall and {
liberal sowing of lawn grass seec
in April and August. This il
about the only remedy 30 far q
improving the soil surface goes.
In the spring and fall these un
even places should be gradual,
filled up and in couple of year
the surface will be perfect. Mean
while the gradual filling will al
ways show a noticeable improve
ment. A roller should also b.
used in the spring if the land i
moist and springy; it will hell
the roots and bring about quicke
growth
Frequent cutting has yer,
often turned bad looking law
into a good one. This is abou
the best treatment after tn
blades have grown an inch high
and they should be cut wheneve
they exceed this height. The frs
cutting in the spring should b.
very close to get out any oil
leaves and rot. Later the knive
should be raised an inch.
Be sure and oil up your law
mower, using good machine OF
mixed with kerosene. Oil all tn
working parts freely and tn
machine will not rust. If tn
mower is we'll looked after tn
tedious task of moving a law
will become pleasure rathe
than hard work.