Evening star., 1937-05-21

If one uses the sulphate, 1t is a good
plan also to use complete fertilizer In
order that all parts Of the plant, unseen
as well as seen, will receive proper
nourishment.
Bone meal is good lawn fertilizer
1t is slow, but for that very reason is
excellent, since it insures some nourish-
ment months later, when grass fertility
has been forgotten as subject Of con-
versation.
Along with it some complete fertilizer
ought to be used at least twice a year,
preferably in the very early Spring, and
sometime in the Summer. For many
years it was believed that fertilizer put
on lawn too late in the season was
harmful, but today it is felt that there
is very little danger, indeed, of stimu-
lating grass at the wrong time. 1t re-
spends to the urge of weather, and will
not grow except when meteorological
conditions are right, no matter how much
chemicals are at the roots. All plants
eat food in the form of soup" That is,
a hunk of minerals, placed exactly at the
roots, would be completely useless to a
plant, indeed, would harm it, unless there
were enough water present to put it into
solution, in which form it may be util-
ized.
Even bone meal should be watered
we'll after applying.
Lawn fertilizers should be put on after
good moving, preferably after the loose
grass has been raked up. Then the fer
tilizer should be sprinkled evenly over
the area, in such proportions as are
recommended.
No time should be lost in watering the
material WELL so that there will be no
chance of burning, but this should not be
done until rake has been run lightly
through the grass, in order to knock
down as much of the material as possible
to the ground. One does not want it
on the leaves.
There is now on the market a syphon
arrangement for drawing a solution of
ammonia sulphate out of bucket with
a garden hose, thus diluting it tremen-
dously, since it requires about two hours
to drain all the solution-about a gallon
out of the bucket through tiny pin
| hole. The hose is running at the normal
rate all this time, so it will be realized
that the gallon Of solution-made by
placing quarters worth of the chemical
in the bucket of water-is very well di-
| luted, indeed, over that period
We have friend who used this sys-
| tenn with success, except that the pin
| hole became stopped up at one time
| during which period no solution was
| drawn out and mixed with the water
| from the hose. These places later showed
| in the grass as streakS, so much greener
was the remainder of the lawn.
1t may be realized that even with
! modern methods and knowledge the
| proper fertilization of the lawn is no easy
| matter, for each sWard is a problem in
| itself and may require different elements
| and treatment.
| L don't know what's the matter with
| my grass is very common remark
| but each person who makes it really does
| know what Is the matter. He has failed
to feed it, that is all, but it is enough.
The June grass, being stout grass
while it lasts, will do great deal toward
| making even poor lawn seem a fairly
| good one for the next two months or
more, but there can be little question
| that fertility is at the basis of every
really good lawn and that those who
want good grass must pay for it by
! feeding it.