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Spraying Don'ts: Weeds

ROLLING AND WEEDING LAWNS. Rolling of lawns is not resorted to nearly as much as formerly. Probably one good, thorough rolling in the early spring is beneficial, especially on clay land which may have heaved in spots during the winter. Except for this, rolling is of doubtful value, especially because during dry weather it causes loss of moisture through transpiration. Weeds in the lawn indicate that the grass is not properly cared for or has been carelessly seeded. Weeds may appear in a new lawn, especially if manure has been used in the preparation. It is not necessary to pull out the annuals, for if the turf is cut they will not seed themselves. Remove only the perennials, such as burdock and plantain. Tread on the holes thus left and fill them with compost and seed. It is better to weed in the fall, as in the spring crab grass is apt to get into bare spots. Perennial weeds should be cut out with a knife, securing as much of the roots as possible; or a drop or two of gasoline will generally kill the plants. Moss and sorrel in a lawn indicate a sour soil needing liberal applications of airslaked lime. Crab grass causes considerable trouble if once established and care should be taken to remove all portions of the roots. ENEMIES TO LAWNS. Weeds are the most important enemies to lawns. The best way to eradicate weeds in a lawn that is otherwise worth saving is to dig them out, fill the holes with good topsoil, and sow fresh seed. Spraying with chemicals and patent remedies has never proved effective. Angle worms or fishworms may be destroyed by the following spray: Dissolve in two gallons of boiling water one pound of common salt and add one pound of corrosive sublimate. Dilute the above with four gallons of water to make a stock solution. One pint of the stock solution should be added to sixteen gallons of water and sprayed over the lawn. Army worms may be destroyed while young by a spray made by dissolving three pounds of arsenate of lead in fifty gallons of water. This should be sprayed over the lawn until it is white. While white grubs are among the grass roots in late July in MAINTENANCE preparation to emerge as adult beetles they may be crushed by rolling the lawn with a ten-ton roller, but failing this heroic treatment, there seems to be no simpler remedy.