Evening star., 1925-05-26

There are two methods of watering
a lawn. One calls for light sprinkling
which brings the roots of the grass to
the surface, the second demands
thorough soaking of the sward, so that
the grass roots stay down where they
belong.
The first way is that of ninety nine
out of a hundred householders. It is
the easiest way" as well as the most
picturesque. What more pleasing
than to stand at ease, in the cool of
the evening, the birds singing, the fine
spray filling the whole yard with mist
This method of 'sprinkling" gives
one such a satisfactory feeling of
doing something. which every one
who monkeys with nature feels neces-
sary. Whenever man takes a per-
sonal hand in the work of creation, he
Immediately wants to do something -
Few are the philosophers, and far
between, who can sit at ease, letting
things alone. Letting things alone!
There is something that demands al.
most superhuman resistance. 1t Is SO
easy TO do something" so hard to
let things alone.
Almost anybody can butt in" dur.
ing quarrel. 1t takes a most un.
usual man or woman, with a large
degree of will power. determination
of such an affair.
In business one sees the desire to
do something" in many interesting
variations. Here one may watch an
angie that usually gets results, thus
ringing change on our theme.
A man Is put in charge. He looks
the situation over and determines IL
Is up to him to "do something" So
he begins to make changes. No mat.
ter what 1t is, just 50 1t is different
from what exists.
WOW going on, are impressed with the
racket, and say among themselves
He is taking hold"
AS rule, however. one NAV ac.
complish more by some resistance to
the urge to do something" Espe
cially does this hold true in the realm
of nature.
x i x *
The desire to water the lawn every
evening is so urgent that few can
resist IT. The District government
recognizing the demand, has set aside
couple of pleasant hours, during
which time home owners may sprinkle
to their hearts content.
Most of us do. We sprinkle, and
sprinkle. and sprinkle yet again the
next evening. We twist the old nozzle
through all its variations of spray,
from coarse to fine. We throw the
water as far as we can. We see il
we can hit the other side Of the street;
we dote on a fine spray for certain
plants along the border; we revel in
coarse shower for patches of poor
growth in the lawn.
This gives us the satisfactory feel
ing OF mastery, yet. as matter OF
cold fact, we are doing perhaps the
very worst thing possible for our lawn,
and we will know II next Spring.
Last month, for instance, did YOU
find dried rootlets all over your lawn?
Those were the grass roots brought
to the surface by superficial water.
Ing. There Is no mistaking them.
They are thicker than dried grass
dead grass. Winter killed.
They are OF a gray color, and rather
thick. They occur especially the first
Winter after sowing of grass seed
Sod is not so likely to send roots to
the surface. the roots having been
trained to go down instead of up for
their moisture.
Newly made sward, however. has
not learned the trick of finding its
water at the more equitable depths. It's
roots, thirsty for the waters of life
turn upward when the light sprinkle
is put upon the yard. An hour of the
fine spray, authorities declare, scarcely