Growing a Lawn

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 180, 2 August 1938, Page 9

Growing a Lawn

GREEN ADVISER’S HINTS The investigation of plant life was like an adventure into another world, said Mr. \V. M. Horton, greens adviser to a number of sports bodies throughout the Dominion, when speaking to mem bers of the Palmerston North Rotary Club yesterday. In the settlement of the world plants were the pioneers and animals and men but the camp followers. In tho manufacture of their food plants drew upon the air and the water with the aid of the sun. We owed our existence to the grass lands. Two humble members of the grass world, Chewing’s fescue and brown top, were of consideraole importance in this country. A man living in the South Island had imported a quantity of seed from .England which was planted at Invercargill and tho seed again sown. Later portion of this seed came into the possession of Mr. Chewing, who realised its valuable properties. Brown top had come from Nova Beotia, and both varieties had first of all been established in the south. Together they formed more than 50 per cent, of the grass exported from tho Dominion, the seed being taken by Australia, America and Canada principally. After conducting a number of experiments it had been found that two parts of Chewing's fescue to one of brown top gave the best mixture, for, although the quantity favoured the fescue, the ratio of quantity was 500,000 to 7,000,000. That was a standard mixture and it was sown with one ounce to a square yard. The soil had to be prepared so that tho seed would have a chance, cultivation being a most important factor; also drainage, about sin. in 25ft. being sufficient. Time of sowing was also important, for while the autumn was undoubtedly preferable, planting could be undertaken whenever desired. Light and sunshine were the essential things for the grass was pushed on right from the start.

After tho grass was sown, continued Mr. Horton, the next important point was to keep it growing, so fertiliser compound of half an ounce of sulphate of ammonia and hair an ounce of superphosphate for each square yard. The results, if this course was followed, were exceptionally good, tho seed germinat-. ing in about five days and the lawn being ready for use under favourable conditions within eight weeks. The principal element in fertilisers was nitrates and in some soil the quantity might be only sufficient for one crop, which meant that nitrates had to be added for a second growth. As soon as the grass germinated it was necessary to supply small quantities of sulphate of ammonia preferably in liquid. If the grass was pushed along in the proper manner, it was soon established. Mr. Horton then gave an outline of some of the reasons that had been advanced in different localities in both islands for grass failing to thrive, and concluded by saying taat, if the directions he had outlined were adhered to, a good growth could be obtained without difficulty.