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Page 13
There is a natural wish to have as much grass about the dwelling
as possible, for nothing is more beautiful. If there are children,
they will assuredly petition for lawn-tennis and croquet grounds.
I trust that their wishes may be gratified, for children are worth
infinitely more than anything else that can be grown upon the
acre. With a little extra care, all the trees of which I have
spoken can be grown in the spaces allotted to grass. It is only
necessary to keep a circle of space six feet in diameter--the
trunk forming the centre--around the tree mellow and free from any
vegetable growth whatever. This gives a chance to fertilize and
work the ground immediately over the roots. Of course vigorous
fruit-trees cannot be grown in a thick sod, while peaches and
grapes require the free culture of the garden, as will be shown
hereafter. In view, however, of the general wish for grass, I have
advised on the supposition that all the ornamental trees, most of
the shrubs, and the four fruits named would be grown on the
portions of the acre to be kept in lawn. It may be added here that
plums also will do well under the same conditions, if given good
care.
Grass is a product that can be cultivated as truly as the most
delicate and fastidious of fruits, and I had the lawn is mind when
I urged the generous initial deep plowing and enriching. Nothing
that grows responds more promptly to good treatment than grass;
but a fine lawn cannot be created in a season, any more than a
fine tree.
We will suppose that the spring plantings of trees have been made
with open spaces reserved for the favorite games. Now the ground
can be prepared for grass-seed, for it need not be trampled over
any more. If certain parts have become packed and hard, they
should be dug or plowed deeply again, then harrowed and raked
perfectly smooth, and all stones, big or little, taken from the
surface. The seed may now be sown, and it should be of thick,
fine-growing varieties, such as are employed in Central Park and
other pleasure-grounds. Mr. Samuel Parsons, Jr., Superintendent of
Central Park, writes me: "The best grass-seeds for ordinary lawns
are a mixture of red-top and Kentucky blue-grass in equal parts,
with perhaps a small amount of white clover. On very sandy ground
I prefer the Kentucky blue-grass, as it is very hardy and vigorous
under adverse circumstances." Having sown and raked in the seed
very lightly a great advantage will be gained in passing a lawn-
roller over the ground. I have succeeded well in getting a good
"catch" of grass by sowing the seed with oats, which were cut and
cured as hay as soon as the grain was what is termed "in the
milk." The strong and quickly growing oats make the ground green
in a few days, and shelter the slower maturing grass-roots. Mr.
Parsons says, "I prefer to sow the grass-seed alone." As soon as
the grass begins to grow with some vigor, cut it often, for this
tends to thicken it and produce the velvety effect that is so
beautiful. From the very first the lawn will need weeding. The
ground contains seeds of strong growing plants, such as dock,
plantain, etc., which should be taken out as fast as they appear.
To some the dandelion is a weed; but not to me, unless it takes
more than its share of space, for I always miss these little earth
stars when they are absent. They intensify the sunshine shimmering
on the lawn, making one smile involuntarily when seeing them.
Moreover, they awaken pleasant memories, for a childhood in which
dandelions had no part is a defective experience.
In late autumn the fallen leaves should be raked carefully away,
as they tend to smother the grass if permitted to lie until
spring. Now comes the chief opportunity of the year, in the form
of a liberal top-dressing of manure from the stable. If this is
spread evenly and not too thickly in November, and the coarser
remains of it are raked off early in April, the results will be
astonishing. A deep emerald hue will be imparted to the grass, and
the frequent cuttings required will soon produce a turf that
yields to the foot like a Persian rug. Any one who has walked over
the plain at West Point can understand the value of these regular
autumnal top-dressings. If the stable-manure can be composted and
left till thoroughly decayed, fine and friable, all the better. If
stable-manure can not be obtained, Mr. Parsons recommends Mapes's
fertilizer for lawns.
CHAPTER III
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