The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-20
ToPsolL

Kentucky blue grass, the best for
lawns in most sections, succeeds bet
ter on soils that are slightly alkaline.
The desirability, or otherwise. OF
lining may be determined by press
ing blue ltmus paper on handful or
the moist soil; IL the litmus turns red
1t indicates an acid condition and the
need OF lime. The back Of a trowel or
something similar should be used
when pressing the litmus paper on
the soil, as the exudation from the skin
of some individuals gives an acid re-
action. If sourness Is indicated the
application of fifteen pounds OF
ground limestone or half this quantity
of air slaked lime on plot OF 800
! square feet will act as corrective.
| 1t is an advantage IL this can be ap-
piled a month or two before the grass
seed is planted. especially when air
slaked lime is used.
Having attended TO the prelimina-
ries grading, fertilizing and the
elimination Of weeds-the next step Is
breaking up and pulverizing OF the
soil preparatory to planting. The good
topsoil should be from eight to ten
inches deep; II deeper than this so
much the better. This should be
broken up by ploughing or spading.
In the case OF large 1reas. after
ploughing the making OF the seed bed
can be performed with advantage by
the use OF harrow. though 1t Is
usually advisable to use rake for
the finishing touches. On small plots
the whole operation Of fning the soil
can be carried out by means OF the
rake. All clods should be broken up
and large stones removed. When fin
ished the soil should be so compacted
that foot marks are barely discenible
when the plot is walked on. II this
condition IS not reached through the
tramping the plot receives In the
process of fining the soil It will be
necessary to roll 1t or subject 1t tc
further tramping. Tho surface sol
should be loosened to a depth of from
half to one inch before sowing thu
seed.
A calm day should be chosen fol
this operation or there will be grea
difficulty in distributing It evenly anC
1t may happen that your neighbo'
will get the benefit Of some OF II
Divide the seed into two equal por
tions. Take one portion and. starting
from one end of the plot. walk bacl
. and forth. scattering the seed as event!
as possible Keep the hand low ant
do not attempt to cover too wide al
area at one time. The rest Of the seec
. should be distributed at right angle
to lines travelled in sowing the frs
= portion. This helps to insure an evel
distribution of the seed. When larg
: lawn is to be planted 1t is a good plai
. to mark off the area into several plot
OF equal size. Divide the seed to cor
respond and SOW each plot separately
BY this means the seed can be event.
lapportioned all over the area
' When the seed has been sown tn
: surface should be lightly raked so a
to cover the seeds as much as posi-
> BILE. 1t must then be rolled with
= light roller to bring the earth in clos
> contact with the seeds and to estab
' fish capillary action with the soil be
:. low. When a roller is not availabl
:, a fair substitute Is a tamper provide
only small plot has been planted
I A suitable tamper can be improvise
!. by saving about eighteen inches fror
e a plank two or three inches thick an
a foot or more wide. A hole shout
K be bored in the centre and a handl
OF suitable length inserted. A stou
broom handle or an old shovel or spad