PUBLISHED IN FEBRUARY, MARCH. APRIL, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER BY O. M. SCOTT & SONS CO. MARYSVILLE, OHIO Eighth Year Number 33 P E P P E R G R A SS THIS is another case of a plant being called a "grass" even though it is definitely not a member of the grass family. Far from being desirable, it is a troublesome weed in lawns. Common Pepper- grass, Lepidium vir- ginicum, also known as Tongue-grass and Poor Man's Pepper, is an annual or win- ter annual. is a member of the mus- tard and therefore a cousin of Shepherd's Purse, with which its base leaves or rosettes are often confused. family, It While not classified as a noxious weed in most states, Peppergrass is decidedly con- spicuous and very unsightly when it appears in a lawn. The stems are six inches to two and much branched. The autumn plants produce a dark green rosette with deeply leaves much like Shepherd's Purse. The latter weed stands more erect and is less branched. indented feet tall P E P P E R G R A SS Lepidium virginicum leaves are spatulate in outline. The flowers are white and very tiny. Two reddish-yellow heart shaped seeds form each round flattened pod. likely it easy Birds are fond of Peppergrass seeds and dispose of large quantities, hence an- other common name for it, Bird's Pep- per. Its stems and branches are wiry, making for to perch and birds feast on its fruit. It that is quite the seed-eating birds are responsible the distribu- tion of this weed from infested fields to neighborhood lawns. Peppergrass is prominent in a lawn because it lifts its head above the desirable grasses. It isn't likely to gain a foothold without being observed. Means of Control Possibly because of their relationship, Peppergrass can be controlled by the same methods as outlined for Shep- herd's Purse in LAWN CARE number 26. for A Peppergrass plant when in seed has the appearance of a miniature tree, the numerous small flat pods taking the place of leaves. The upper leaves, which are lance shaped, fall away when the seeds begin to ripen. The lower The stems are so wiry that the mower often fails to cut them ofi. Where the weed is not growing too extensively the best control measure is to pull the indi- vidual plants while the ground is soft or cut them out with a weeding knife C O P Y R I G HT BY O. M. SCOTT & S O NS CO. just beneath the crown of each rosette. Large patches may be brought into submission by using a spray of Iron Sulfate. See L A WN C A RE number 6. Peppergrass should never be per- mitted to produce seed. Like other mustards, Peppergrass remain dormant in the ground, yet viable for many years until stirred to the surface where warmth and moisture cause them to germinate. seeds ( J o hn C h a p m a n ), Johnny AppleseecTs Grave Beautified with Scott Seed With the arrival of each Arbor Day, school children hear the story of Johnny Appleseed that quaint, eccentric character who as the early colonists worked westward, trav- eled over Indiana, Ohio and western Pennsylvania, scattering apple seeds and planting apple trees. An account of his life is presented here through the cour- tesy of Robert C. Harris of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Secretary of the Johnny Apple- seed Memorial Commission: "'Look! There's Johnny Appleseed.' "Sure enough, there he came leading the old gray mare which was loaded down with a cargo of young apple trees and sacks of apple seed. "It was natural that Johnny Apple- seed should catch the eyes of the chil- dren, for on that day he wore a coffee sack for a shirt and a tin pan for a hat. He had a boot on the left foot but his right foot was bare. "In spite of his appearance, he was held in respect and awe by everyone who knew him. He was welcomed in every home and cabin. Children ran after him and begged him to tell them a story or to read to them from the Bible which he always carried with him. It was a common sight to see a group of children huddled around him while he read the Beatitudes to them. One of his favorite passages was, 'Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.' He would not harm a living thing, not even a snake. 'Johnny Appleseed, as his name implies, was a nurseryman. It is esti- mated that he planted or supplied trees for orchards over a space of many thou- sand acres. He wanted every settler to have an orchard. Often he exchanged trees for old clothing and then gave away the clothing to someone that he felt needed it. Probate papers on file in the County Clerk's office show that at the time of his death he owned four tracts of land in Allen County, Indiana. "There are many apple trees in Allen County that came from his nursery. They are now more than 90 years old, but they still produce good apples. "Johnny Appleseed died in the home of William Worth, just a short distance up the St. Joe River along the old feeder canal. He was buried just at the north edge of the present city of Fort Wayne. It is near this spot that a memorial has been erected to Johnny Appleseed." It may be news to many people that there is a Men's Garden Club of America. A commendable project which is being undertaken by The Men's Garden Club is the beautification of the resting place of Johnny Appleseed. An area comprising 15,000 square feet was converted into lawn. Eight Flower- ing Crab Apple trees have been set out, as have twenty-four various types of Honeysuckle, while the Honey Locusts, Elms, Oaks and Wild Cherry already on the grounds have been preserved. A fine, vigorous sod is assured through the use of Scotts Seed and Turf Builder. O. M„ SCOTT & SONS CO. MAR YS V I L LE • • O H IO EVERY PACKAGE OF SCOTTS LAWN SEED BEARS THIS TRADE-MARK AND IS SEALED FOR YOUR PROTECTION 33 a