The Washington herald., 1913-03-16

soil for the reception OF the lawn too
rich Stable manure, which has been
thoroughly composted and rotted and
which is as free as possible from detri-
mental weed seeds, is undoubtedly the
best material to use in producing the
desired fertility of the soil. Forty to
sixty loads OF weli-decomposed stable
manure are not too much to use upon An
acre of land designed for the green's
ward.
Not all grasses are adapted to lawn
making Only such kinds as are capable
of making a close turf are ideal for
lawns Most grasses which have creeping
root stocks, short joints. and produce
long. narrow leaves in abundance about
the crown of the plant adapt themselves
well to lawnmaking. Besides this, a de-
sirable lawn grass possesses pleasing
color, which does not change decidedly
from season to season, is drought resist
ant, responds quickly to q change OF
conditions from winter to spring, and
hears repeated clippings with q lawn
mower The requirements OF these
grasses are exceedingly exacting. and it
is not surprising to find the list of such
grasses a comparatively short and meager
one.
I'm procuring seed for a lawn. too great
care cannot be exercised Pure seed Of
high termination is of great importance
in securing good stand OF grass. Pure
seed is the keynote to clean lawn, pro-
vided the work of preparing the land has
been efficiently done. Thorough prepara-
tion involves not merely the mechanical
treatment Of the soil to reduce 1t to
proper seed bed. but the use of weed
free manure and the adoption Of a course
of treatment previous to preparing for
the lawn which shall serve to eradicate
weeds. Such preparation coupled with
pure seed. should give satisfactory
stand of grass which shall need only the
usual care necessary to maintain lawn
after 1t is once established. Too much
cannot be said in favor of securing pure
seed, and, IL possible. specially selected
seed. This is. of course. Of considerable
importance with light seeds like blue
grass. redtop, and seeds Of the bent
grasses. In the case Of bluegrass select
seeds weighing about twenty-five pounds
TO the bushel. while the ordinary grade
of bluegrass. although it may be called
the bushel
Use Plenty of Seed.
1T is better to use an excessive
amount of seed and allow natural selec-
ton to eliminate the weak specimens.
rather than to seed sparsely with the
hope that the natural habits of the
plants will be sufficient to enable them
10 take possession of the entire area
Bluegrass. bent grass, and the Ses-
cues, if used in combination, should be
sown at the rate of three to five bushels
of seed to the acre. Bluegrass IL used
alone should not be used at rate less
than fifty pounds to the acre, while
seventy pounds is better. White clover.
if added to the collection of the above
named sorts, should be used at the rate
of one peck to the acre. Upon sandy or
gravelly lands and in spring seeding
white clover Is an important factor, be-
cause it terminates quickly and covers
the ground, affording protection and pre-
senting an attractive appearance earlier
than is possible by the use OF other
grasses White clover. too. is able to
re-establish itself very quickly after
periods OF severe drought. and until the
bluegrass. redtop. bent grass. and fes-
cues BECOME thoroughly established the
white clover will usually be In the
ascendancy. As the turf-forming habits
of the other grasses become more mark
ed. however, the white clover VIII
gradually disappear and give place 10
the other more permanent grasses"