P U B L I S H ED IN F E B R U A R Y, MARCH, APRIL, A U G U ST A ND SEPTEMBER BY O. M. SCOTT & SONS CO., MARYSVILLE, O H IO May 1933 SIXTH YEAR Number 25 REG. U. S. PAT. OFF. THE TERRACE PROBLEM roots. This is particularly desirable on dry terraces because such roots can draw upon the subsoil water. The mini- mum depth of soil preparation for slopes is at least six inches. A lib- eral amount of organic matter should be worked into the soil by means of well rotted manure or peat moss. TO most of us it seems difficult enough to get a good lawn on level ground. But the person attempting to grow a nice turf on a slope has his prob- lems multiplied times over. Trouble with terraces begins with the original grading and soil preparation and continues through the following years of main- tenance. several it Preparation of the soil for slopes is even m o re impor- tant than that for level lawns because is usually drier than the lawn below, and, by reason of its pitch it is sub- ject to washing in wet weather. Slopes facing the south are e x p o s ed to greater drying action of the Grade lft. to 4ft. sun flat than land, because the sun's rays strike the ground at an angle of nearly 90 degrees. Soil Preparation and Seeding One of the most important factors is deep soil preparation. If given an op- portunity grasses will produce deep T he treat- m e nt of the surface of a slope is impor- tant. Both the bottom and the top should be rounded, the upper convex, the lower con- cave, enough so that a lawn mower will cut both without scalping the crown or mak- ing the use of clippers neces- sary below. W a s h i ng on such surfaces is at a mini- mum. Seeding of slopes with a pitch less than one foot vertically to four horizon- tally is practical because their surfaces are too great to make any other pro- tective measures worth while. Terraces with slopes steeper than one to four, but less than one to three are C O P Y R I G HT 1933 BY O. M. SCOTT & S O NS CO. approaching a dangerous slant from the point of view of washing. The most economical protection inch layer of clean, chafi free straw which should be removed gradually as the grass seedlifrgs get started. is a two Slopes with a grade of one to two require some definite method of pro- tection from washing. The most satis- factory system is to lay a strip of sod at the top and bottom and cover the inter- vening area with a cheap muslin or cheese cloth. On long slopes of this pitch one foot widths of sod may be laid on the contour at intervals of three feet or more and spaces mulched with straw. the open sowing immediately after Light weight burlap may be used to protect new terrace seedings. Peg it in place the seed. Keep this covering moist at all times. Remove it in one or two weeks after most of the seed has germinated but before the grass has penetrated it too far. If removed on a cloudy day or late afternoon the shock to the grass is reduced to a minimum. This protective covering hastens complete germination and prevents washing of soil and loss of seed during heavy rains. Steeper slopes than one to two are best protected by sodding, the sod strips being pegged down. Even then some difficulty may be experienced during a cloudburst. If the situation will per- mit, a temporary open shallow trench for catching excessive run-ofi, parallel to and at the top of the sodded slope, will do much to prevent washouts. Use of Nurse Crops Sometimes a light seeding of oats or rye may be made with the grass seed so that their quick growth will help bind the soil. There is some question as to whether or not nurse crops rob soil of moisture needed by the young grass, and cause excessive shade. If used, they should be cut with a scythe as soon as they are three or four inches high. There is some grass seed sold that is supposed to be mixed for slopes, the theory being advanced that the grasses are deep rooted, or form thick close turf, or withstand drouth. These are extremely desirable characteristics for a normal lawn, and such grasses should comprise any good lawn seed mixture. Of course shaded terraces require spe- cial shade tolerant grass varieties. Maintenance of Terraces Seeded terraces need careful rolling or tamping to firm the surface soil. Water should be applied as a very fine mist and often enough to keep the soil continually moist until the young grass is well established. The most difficult feature of main- tenance is proper mowing. Most ter- races are scalped at the crown because they are cut horizontally instead of vertically. Then, too, the grass is cut too closely, as in the case of level lawns, so that the crowns and roots are ex- posed to the direct rays of the sun. At least two or three applications per year of a special grass fertilizer are necessary. This is needed to replace the soluble plant food removed by the excessive washings to which terraces are subjected. For the same reason they should be topdressed with good screened soil every spring and fall. It is well to sow before topdressing. Moss often appears on terraces due to deficiency of plant food or to the presence of an excessixe amount of sepage water. This water drains from surrounding higher ground and its damage can only be prevented by cor- rect installation of tile drainage. O. M. S C O TT & S O NS CO. M AR Y S V I L LE • • O H IO EVERY PACKAGE OF SCOTTS L A WN SEED BEARS THIS TRADE-MARK A ND IS SEALED FOR YOUR PROTECTION 9. 25 a