P U B L I S H ED IN F E B R U A R Y. M A R C H. A P R I L, A U G U ST A ND S E P T E M B ER BY O. M. S C O TT & S O NS C O. M A R Y S V I L L E. O H IO Ninth Year Number 42 F O X T A IL HERE is a wild grass that goes by other names, such as Pigeon grass, Pussy grass, Bottle grass, and Yellow Bristlegrass. Being an annual variety, its propagation depends entirely on the production of seed. The seed heads, resembling a fox's tail in miniature, appear from July to October. Foxtail seems to be at home all over the world. It is a common pest here in our country as a weed in corn and other row crops. New lawns not planted until late spring or e a r ly s u m m er f r e- succumb quently r a n k, s m o t he growth of Foxtail, when the seeds of this pest contami- nate topsoil. There are many different members of f a m i ly a l t h o u gh t w o, Y e l l ow F o x t a il (Setaria lutescens) and Green Foxtail (Set arid viridis) the most fa- are miliar. The latter is more frequently found in lawns and other turf areas. There similarity between that we shall not attempt to draw any fine lines of dis- tinction but refer simply to the family name, Foxtail. such marked is the t h is two the Origin years, Foxtail springing to surface for b r o u g ht n e ar is another weed for which It apparently Europe gets the blame. came over with the early settlers as an impurity in clover seed and grain. Once in the soil it retains its vitality up whenever light and warmth. No weed has succeeded in more completely m a k i ng itself at home. In every part of the world where carried it h as b e c o me per- m a n e n t ly estab- lished. On farms in every section of the the United States bristly head of Foxtail is a familiar sight. Too into often it has come town to establish itself in lawns. Distinguishing Features T he s t e ms b r a n ch from the base, growing from fibrous, clustered roots, usually about a foot tall although when started late and cut fre- quently, Foxtail has been known to mature seed when only inches high. The sheaths (tubular envelopes which form the lower base of grasses) are loose, compressed and often tinged with red at the bottom. The blades are three C O P Y R I G HT BY O. M. S C O TT 8c S O NS C O. twist. The spikes inches three to six inches long and nearly a half inch wide, flat, smooth, and hang- ing with a (seed heads) are two to four long. Extending outward and upward from seeds are greenish- tightly clustered yellow bristles as indicated in the illus- tration. Hot Weather Weed Like Crabgrass, Foxtail is distinctly a hot weather weed. The seed does not germinate until early summer when the ground is warm, while the plants make their real growth in extreme tempera- tures. In addition, it is favored in many locations by the absence of any real competition from good grasses. This is particularly true in new seedings where the grass does not get a good start in the spring. The seedling grass succumbs to the heat, leaving many bare places where Foxtail can grow unhampered. Means of Control As with other annuals the important thing is to prevent seed from ripening and re-infesting the lawn. Foxtail is easily recognized. Even before a seed head has developed, the plants are more conspicuous than most weeds belong- ing to the grass family because of the wide and rather stubby blades. A heavy growth of ripe Foxtail may be burned off but where scattered thinly in turf, the mowing off and removing of the ripened plants will prevent a new growth from the same source the fol- lowing year. A d v a n t a g es of Fall Seeding A re Reported "I can testify to the advantages of seeding a lawn in the fall. In the spring of 1935 we sowed it lawn seed and came up beautifully, but later, during the rainy season, we found the lawn difficult to mow. The reason was Crab- grass. We spent long days in digging it out and finally had the ground ready for resowing. This was done during September and we had an excellent stand of grass before winter. This year, in spite of the drouth, we have a nice lawn with practically no Crabgrass."— Mrs. Caroline M. Beachler, Westerville, Ohio. "I thought you would like to hear of my observation in connection with the subject of fall versus spring seeding. A local W PA project of clearing and grading a section of a cemetery was started in the vicinity of my home last March. In April one section was seeded, then another in May. The work was dropped and resumed again in , August. By September 15th a third area was seeded and the final, fourth section in October. The soil preparation was the same the very same seed was used. There are now four distinct plots with a different growth of grass on each. The spring seedings are thin and show considerable weed growth while the fall seedings show a much heavier turf, a healthier color and fewer weeds by a wide mar- gin."—Edward F. Moran, Fall River, Mass. instance and in each % W e e ds N ot Pro-American "You will note that my remittance is being mailed to you from Great Britain. I find that, although they have the most beautiful lawns over here that I have ever seen, they are troubled with a similar assortment of weeds that are so annoying to us in Connecticut."— Porter M. Farrell, Westport, Conn. 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 2 42 a