The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-07-25
WATERINGYOUR LAWN
An Article of Interest by John w. Duncan, Supt. of Parks, of
 Spokane, Wash.

The department of public utilities of Spokane, Washington, has recently is- sued a, neat booklet on the water code of that city, an interesting feature of which is an article by John w. Dun can, Superintendent of Parks, on the proper care and treatment of lawns. In view of the general abuse of water in the case of lawns, the suggestions are reproduced from the American City a magazine published in the interests of the general plan to beautify towns and cities. Superintendent Duncan says:
 'Those qualities of soil which make for excellence of growth of grasses vary to so marked a degree that a hard and fast rule cannot be laid down as a guide for the use of water in pro- ducing lawns.
 Tt should be remembered that nc lawn can be produced by water alone, paid to placing food for grass in the soil far less water is necessary for the making of rich and velvety lawn. It should not be expected that grass, which is naturally deep root ed plant, will thrive and grow luxur- iantly upon water and a few inches of soil containing only a limited amount of plant food. In the long run, the property owner will find it cheaper to prepare his ground with a depth of soil of at least twelve inches.
 Lawns become worn out much in the same fashion and for exactly the same causes as do the New England farms we read about. Each cutting of grass removed takes from the soil in producing the removed growth. Use fertilizers-such as bone meal, wood ashes or manure Gf it is free from the seed of weeds). They will supply your lawn with plant food which all the water in creation cannot supply.
 Do not over-water, especially with the water coming from the local sys- tenn at the average summer tempera- ture we find it in Spokane. It is a vast change to subject blades which have passed hours under 8 sun of 98 degrees to the 5chiM of water at less than 50 degrees. A thorough water ing twice a week is all indeed that is needed. "Hosing'' a lawn twice a day, in addition to keeping the plant and it's roots in cold water for a large portion of the "A hours, is apt to wash the soil from the roots and expose them to the air. This process also ''sours'' an otherwise good soil bed. When your lawn needs it: give 1t good watering, but do not water it again until it needs, moisture If your soil is good and of proper depth this will not be within two or three days. Too much and too frequent watering not only weakens the growth of the grass but also tends to form surface crust of baked soil, on which no lawn can flourish.
 Do not gauge the quantity of, water you use by the amount used by your neighbor. Study intelhgently the re- suits of your treatment of your own lawn. It may have a far different soil from that of your neighbor, and need less water or more water. His may have more fertilizer, Or greater soil-depth, or richer humus-and it may have far less of each than your own. Use your own good judgment. Good lawns are not the result of hap hazard methods.
 ''In those sections of the city where the soil is of a gravelly or porous character more water is actually need ed for good results than in more fa- vored portions but this may be large ly controlled by the use of manures and other plant foods. Some gravels cannot grow grass even with the as- sistance of gopious applications of wa ter. On the other hand, where the soil is deep and rich, too much water ing will result in Teaching" the soil of the very plant food which should be carefully retained.
 "In brief use your water on your lawn as you would your fuel in your range-with intel1igence-to get the best results b.