Evening star., 1944-09-05
This and That
By Charles Z. Trace,ueH.
H STREET,

Dear Sir:
Cooler weather ought to remind all
Of us to get grass seed in as soon as
possible now. have no lawn, at this
stage OF my existence, but I have many
memories Of one, especially in the SUBJ
urDs, and how labored over the grass.
Il spent most Of my time trying to
renew an old lawn, and put in the seed
mainly in the spring. and now under
stand that late summer or early fall
planting Is the best.
I believe 1t would be a good plan to
remind readers Of this, If it is true: I
am sure it must be true, because have
been told Of 1t by several persons whose
intelligence value.
mot every intelligence is valuable. I
have often puzzled over this, why it is
that 1t Is not possible to gather real in
formation from every one met, but MOTH
ing Is palmer than that there are many
persons who are positively dry, when it
comes to getting anything new or worth
while from their mental processes.
Grass Is such good thing, I think
we should all try to get it who have the
opportunity. Those of us who do not.
still can take pleasure in the good lawns
OF our beautiful city, and in the sward
around the public buildings.
Respectfully yours, r. r. r."
kH Il
This. correspondent has been told cor
rectly.
The best time to renew the old lawn
Is now
Grass seed mixtures with red top,
Kentucky blue grass, and some white
clover, do excellently in this climate.
IT put in early September they usu-
ally get plenty of opportunity to ger
inmate and grow before really cold
weather sets in. Thereafter they may
remain green all winter, instead Of pre-
senting the half-gray appearance which
unseeded lawns do.
Washington is not an easy place to
have good grass. A good lawn here
means work. Experience has proved
that fall is the best time to plant grass
seed. It Is because many persons have
not found this out, or are not willing
to heed the advice and experience Of
others. that we see SO many poor lawns
1t should be kept in mind that If
grass seed is planted at this time, water
ing may be necessary. This means that
the seeded portions should be well
sprinkled at least every other day for
a period Of two weeks. provided rains
do not intervene.
In what is called q normal season,
rains will save the home owner such
work. But In recent years we do not
appear to have many normal seasons.
Nothing Is surer than that our weather
is changing.
We can recall when a hot spell here
never lasted more than ten days, and
was always followed by period of cool
weather lasting from week to two or
three weeks.
And what has become of Washing
toms famous southern breeze?
In the old days, people rented and
purchased row houses mainly on the
basis Of whether or not they could get
the sweep of the southern breeze"
through the house, particularly the bed
rooms.
Tearing up an entire lawn is not
needed. The best way is to attack the
bare spots, using . great deal more seed
than one might think necessary. Some
OF 1t win fall to the birds, and some
will not germinate. II plenty, or more
than plenty, is used in each bare spot,
there viii surely be enough to do what
one expects Of it.
In this way, In few weeks, with
adequate watering, the entire lawn will
present more or less uniform appear
ance, and . cutting viii level everything
out, so that the sward goes into the
winter with every chance OF staying
good all through the cold, and getting
good start In the spring.