After the soil was spread the next thing was to make it firm.  This was done in three ways.  One day the teacher decided that for gymnastic work they might all turn out and tramp the soil.  Up the bank they stamped, then down by the old drive to the road again, and up the bank.

Another way was by using tamping sticks.  The boys made these sticks from old broom handles, to the ends of which they fitted solid pieces of board about ten inches square.  Some were merely nailed upon the ends of the broom handle; but this method was insecure.  The others were made with holes in the centre of the boards of the same diameter as the handles.  These sticks were used to tamp the soil or spank it down.  But on the day when an old farmer, stopping to watch the work, offered his roller, there was great rejoicing.  Between classes, during recesses and at any odd time the slope was rolled.  One boy in the very beginning pushed the roller but not after that, for when it was explained to him he understood why he should pull the roller.  First, because pulled there are no foot prints left; and secondly, one slips and makes bad places on the lawn when pushing.

Next came the seed sowing.  The allowance of seed was one quart to each 300 square feet.  Jack’s father chuckled when his son refused absolutely the variety he offered him.  “No, sir, I do not wish Kentucky Blue Grass.  It takes three years to get good results from it.  The results are all right.”

“Thanks,” murmured the highly entertained father.

“We can’t wait three years, we must have speedy results.  I wish a recleaned mixture, and no chaff in it.”

“Very well, young man, I wish to know two things:  First, where did you get your knowledge?  And second, where does my pay come in?”

“The Chief told me what book to read to understand about lawns.  As for the pay, you made your bargain with George’s father.  Anyway I should think it would be pay enough to see a fine lawn in a public place made from your grass seed.”

“Right you are, young man.  Go on, read and read.  But remember to work as well.”

They chose a rather cloudy day for the planting, and a day when the wind did not blow.  Grass seed is so fine it will blow all about if the wind is stirring.  Grass seed is sown broadcast, that is, scattered by the hand.  It is not sown in drills.

It was a pleasure to watch the sowing, for it was done right.  First, the sowing hand was held low, the person stooping down.  Some seed was taken with the fingers.  Then the sowing arm was swung freely in a semi-circle.  After going over the ground once, a second sowing was made at right angles to the first.  A second relay of boys and girls came out and raked the sown ground all over.  A third relay then rolled the ground.  Do you see that there was little opportunity then for the seed being blown off the surface of the ground?

The children were delighted when a gentle rain, followed by several warm days came right after the sowing.  A soaking rain or a series of cold damp days might have spoiled the work.  The only way to have a good lawn from a poor piece of land is to do a thorough piece of work.  Patching up means constant patching.