" 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.
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