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because of the shallow depth of topsoil that causes feeding roots toremain near the surface of the ground. The various grass mixtures on the market vary in quality ratherthan in kind. It is inadvisable to buy poor seed. Many mixturescontain a large percentage of "chaff," and some mixtures contain moreor less weed seed. It is highly desirable that any one responsible forthe development of a good lawn should be able to identify the im-portant types of good seed in lawn mixtures. Of the various grassseeds used the fescue and the clovers produce a quick effect duringthe first year. The most common and satisfactory lawn seed mixture for the northernstates is sixteen parts by weight of Kentucky blue grass, four parts ofrecleaned redtop, and one part of white clover. It should be used at therate of one pound to each three hundred square feet of lawn or onehundred and twenty pounds per acre. The Kentucky blue grass isadapted to the northeastern states and the northwestern coast. It thriveson limy soil and will occasionally grow on land devoid of lime if the,drainage is extra good. It makes a dense, vivid green turf except duringmidsummer when it is adversely affected by hot weather. It shouldnot be confused with Canada blue grass which produces a tough but notdense or attractive turf and sometimes succeeds where the soil is toothin for Kentucky blue grass. Redtop succeeds under a very large rangeof soil conditions, from drought to wet land. It is one of the best grassesfor poor soils throughout the whole of the eastern United States and thussucceeds where blue grass fails. It does not make a dense turf unlessplanted thickly and mowed closely. White clover as a turf plantsucceeds on poor soils, forms a dense, close mat, and stands mowingwell. If Kentucky blue grass is sown alone one hundred and fifty poundsper acre are required and liming is beneficial. If redtop is seeded aloneforty pounds of fancy "recleaned" seed per acre are sufficient and nolime is needed. Clover is never sown in a clean stand but may be sownwith or after grass seed at the rate of ten pounds of seed per acre. |
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