The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-18

A clean, even, luXuriant lawn Is one OF
the most sat isfying things that one can
have about home in the country. It's
smooth, even surface and soft green color,
with the shadows Of trees and shrubs and
passing clouds cast over it, give most
restful effect. To obtain such lawn is
not easy of accomplishment.
There are two requisites for satisfactory
and lasting lawn-depth Of soil and mois-
ture. To secure close and enduring sward
large number Of. grass plants must occupy
the soil, and their roots, being numerous,
must have room and opport untyto 90 down
deep.
The hot summers Of our climate, together
with frequent and prolonged thoughts, are
disast rous to the grasses used In lawtS'
The sward becomes dry and burned to
such an extent that many of the roots are
killed, and as nature never allows the soil 10
stand idle or naked, she quickly supplies
the vacant places with other plants, which
are generally designated as weeds.
Hence in many places will be found
mixture of grasses, dandelions. plant aims
and pat ches Of wit oh grass, a combination
of colors and textures not harmonious nor
keeping WIN lIo eui
Usually not time enough is taken IN the
preparation of the soil Frequently. In
site chosen for building on high eeva-
ton because it has an extended and beauti-
ful view, the soil may be thin and poor, or
1t may even lie over a rocky formation
where dept of soil Is impossible, and under
such conditions an ideal lawn becomes
out of the quest ion. 1t has to be sacrificed
fos In ai,ch lnCa-
ton.
When a purchase is made Of land upon
which to build, the desire to have some
thing green at once is 30 great that the
lawn is prepared and the seed Ia sown long
before the soil has been put into proper
condition, and disappoint ments Is sure to
follow such haste in lawn making
In England where the conditions are ideal
for the growth Of grass, the soil being deep
and moist, the climate mild and the atmos-
phere much of the time charged with mois-
ture, the most beautiful lawns are to be
had. There a cent ury is considered none
too long in which to get the best established
conditions, after which impro vement will
long he continued
The soil best suited to lawn making is
q heavy loan. with good degree of clay
in its composition. This Is a soil that is
made up of fine particles, and one that
will hold and retain much larger amount
of moisture than light or sandy soil. In
a period of two weeks Of drought sandy
soil will lose rs per cent. more of moisture
than clay loam
In the hot days Of June an acre OF grass
will take up for its use and pass off into
the atmosphere lOs tons OF water every
twenty-four hours, and when the soil and
subsoi water are not equal to meeting
this demand, meadows and lawns become
parched and brown, after which they are
patchy and broken and weeds quickly
take possession when the grass dies and
passes out.
year and a half should be given to
preparation Of the soil for the making Of
lawn, which should be plowed as soon as
possession is obtained After thorough
tillageis given, there should be sown twenty
pounds to the acre of clover seed, which
should be moistened with nitrogen bacteria
that the soil may be surely inoculated
with this essential element for the growth
Of the clover.
There should be applied. previous to
the sowing of the clover, 500 pounds Of
high grade complete fertilizer to the acre.
AS soon as the clover has become we'll
established, and has reached from five
to six inches in height it should be clipped,
and thereafter cut as frequently as it
reaches six inches in it's growth. This
clipping will stimulate the growth Of the
root, which will make vast mass Of fine
roots in the soil to supply it with what Is
so much needed, humus or vegetable
matter
This will overcome the objection usually
raised-and valid one-against leaving
the land naked or raw through 30 long
period as is required for tillage in the
preparation of a lawn. The clover fur
nishes a green covering, while at the same
time it is improving the soil and eradicat
ing millions Of weeds whose seeds ger
inmate, but afterward are overcome and
starved out by the vigorous growth OF
the clover
In the autumn there should be applied
of old, we'll composted manure twenty
five two horse wagonloads to the acre, to
be plowed in with the clover early in the
following spring. Upon the second blowing
there should he sown twenty pounds of
crimson clover seed This being an annual,
Il will grow rapidly and make another large
crop Of fine roots to be plowed in again in
the latter part of September, the first hav-
ing uecOTpOSeu during tlle summer.
BY this time the soil will have been greatly
improved, large amount of humus and
also nitrogen will have been added to it
by the clover, while the trouble with weeds
will have been greatly reduced. and they
will not appear to any large extent In the
lawn for several years.
Any practical authority under stands that
crop following a good growth Of clover
is almost entirely free from weeds, The
seeds terminate, but perish from the great
demands Of the clover upon the moisture
Of the soil and the dense shading from it's
top.
The advantages of keeping the land to
be made into a lawn in clover for two years
are very great, and to attain them it IL
well worth taking the time that Is required,
especially as the soil will have an attractive
green covering most of this time.
In the final preparation of the soil for the
permanent seeding the surface should be
thoroughly pulverized drainage should
have been done if necessary. and all Goa rse,
rough matter raked out, leaving, however,
as much as possible Of the crimson clover