After you have your ground made, your seed sown and germinated, your
trouble is not all over, for it is a critical period through which to
carry the tender grass to a hardy condition.
Young grass should not be cut before it is three inches high, and this
means that a scythe should be used in preference to a lawn-mower, as it
is difficult to get the blades high enough to allow this length. In
cutting for the first time, try to do it on a cloudy day, as this will
prevent any possibility of scorching or burning. After a few weeks the
grass will have so toughened that it will be benefited by frequent
cuttings--even twice a week.
The roller should be used after every cutting, and although it may
seemingly be working injury by crushing down the tender grass, it is in
reality making sure a solid and compact sod. In the middle of the summer
when the weather is very hot, be careful not to crop too close, as the
roots are liable to be killed out by the sun.
When cutting your grass you will find it a great saving to have some
sort of a grass-catcher on your lawn-mower. One can be made easily, but
very handy ones are sold at a small price. They prevent the wear and
tear to a lawn that results from the hard raking necessary when not
used.
There is a good grass-catcher that fits into the back of all machines;
it is very effective and costs about fifty cents. It so effectively
catches all the grass that comes from the machine that little raking is
afterwards necessary. If you prefer the rake it is best to use a wooden
one, as iron teeth do great damage to a heavy sod.
Where the grass is cut frequently the clippings may safely be left on
the ground, but heavy grass should be always gathered up.