25th Year No. 119r PUBLISHED FIVE TIMES YEARLY FOR LAWNTHUSIASTS EARLIER STARTERS GET BETTER LAWNS Likes Breakfast T.M. REO It's been a tough winter but the long- range weatherman promises an early spring. That is good news to those who are completely disgusted with fog and rain, ice and snow, and indoor confinement. They are reminded that early lawn activ- ity provides a con- structive reason for getting out-of- doors. At the f i r st peep of the cro- cus, or bloom of witch hazel or swelling of the pussy willow, it's time to get busy on the lawn. Some of the prelim- inaries can be got- ten out of the way ahead of time, such as arranging soil tests. Lawn Soil Tests May Be Helpful The need for a physical examination and chemical test of a lawn soil may be indicated if the lawn did not do well last year. The report may be to the effect that the soil is of poor texture and structure, that is, a heavy clay or the opposite extreme of a loose sand or gravel. This is worth knowing but to change the physical soil conditions in an established lawn is difficult ex- cept in a long range program. In contrast if the laboratory reports the soil quite acid in reaction, it's easy to neutralize it by using lime (LAWN CARE 1 1 4 ). If lime is applied in late winter or early spring, freez- ing and thawing and the soaking of water into the ground will help carry the lime into the grass root zone. in Bed Grass, Too, It isn't really coddling when you serve your lawn a square meal before it "gets up", that is before it begins active If your choice of food is growth. right, you'll be giving the grass two types of nu- trients. One source of food will be water soluble, hence readily available. The oth- er, being of or- ganic origin, will release nutrients slowly. Early feeding results in both sources of nutri- ents getting into the ground where they will do the most good as the soil warms. Grass roots are said to have a short life, practically a com- plete cycle of new growth each year if conditions are favorable. Most sig- nificant is that the greatest root growth takes place in spring and early sum- mer. Thus early feeding is important to promote new and deep rooting. Good Seed Is Not Harmed by Freezing The danger of cold weather, snow or ice is no deterrent to early seeding. To the contrary, alternate freezing and thawing, melting snow or soaking rain help bury the seed. An exception is slopes where the seed may be washed away before it can find its way into one of the many little soil cracks. Good seed may seem costly per pound but actually it need not be expensive per lawn. Most folks sow too much because of the mistaken idea that a heavy seeding will offset poor growing conditions. Any lawn with a fair turf needs only a light over- seeding. If the lawn has been taken over by Crabgrass, then a heavier rate, more like a new lawn, may be needed. Do You Have Moles? When moles tun- nel close to the surface they are looking for food, usually luscious white grubs. If the food source is eliminated, moles must feed some other place or work so deep in the ground they do not harm the lawn. the broom-type rake fertilizer or pest control. Along the Eastern Seaboard, west- ward into Ohio, in scattered areas such as Detroit, Indianapolis and St. Louis, there is need to be alert for the ravages of the Jap beetle grubs. They chew off grass roots in addition to acting as source of food for moles. The larvae of May beetles or June bugs, found also in other parts of the country, may also attack grass and attract moles. Is There Debris That Should Be Cleared Off? Probably the clean-up is better done before seeding but it makes little regarding application of difference In lime, many ways is better because it uproots fewer plants. Most important is removal of matted leaves that smother the grass and pre- vent contact of seed with the soil. There is no need to rake severely to loosen the soil except in bare spots. Some give lawns vigorous rakings to "get They are too. late because Crabgrass seeds dropped to the ground last fall. Un- less topdressing soil is to be applied, the dead Crabgrass plants may be help- ful in protecting seedling grass. Lawn Rolling Can Be Harmful Many folks use heavy rollers to flatten high places in the lawn. This may not be damaging in sandy or light soils but loam and clay soils are harmed by such practice. Unless the soil is quite dry the rolling will do harm by puddling and compacting the soil. Never roll when leave footprints and water oozes into them. the Crabgrass". is so wet you the soil rid of It is all right to use a light roller to firm frost-heaved grass roots back into the soil. Rolling is of little use in pressing seed into the soil of established lawns because the turf keeps a roller of the proper weight away from soil contact. It is, however, advisable to make a light rolling after seeding of newly prepared ground to press soil around the seed to hasten germination. The next issue of Lawn Care will discuss the late spring program and review the latest data on weed control. • to Sirs: According good for Kettering, on his 75th birthday. folks of Dayton their illustrious the threw a big party citizen, Charles F the N ew Y o rk Times, spoke Mr Kettering feelingly of his optimism for the future and the challenge to be met by science in tapping new sources of energy. One question he put, "W h at Makes Grass Green?" my experience, "Feed With Turf Builder N ew Y o rk City