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 8c S O NS C O. M A R Y S V I L L E, O H IO Tenth Year Number 45 ORCHARD GRASS IN SPITE of the fact that we here discuss a species of grass which is it the agricultural field, in valuable should be very definitely classified as a weed as far as lawns are con- cerned. A weed is con- sidered "a plant grow- ing where it is desired that s o m e t h i ng else should grow." So Orchard Grass qualifies as a lawn weed. Description Orchard grass is a bunch grass. The stems are crowded and surrounded at the base by many leafy shoots. Or- chard Grass is easily recognized even in the early stages. The leaf blades are long, soft and f o l d ed V-shape, the sheath which is at the leaf and base of each w r a p p ed a r o u nd the stem, The edges are united below into a closed tube. When the branches spread like the toes of a bird's foot; hence the name Cock's Foot by which Orchard Grass is most familiarly known in Europe. is strongly compressed. in bloom Characteristics Orchard Grass is very drouth-resistant and thrives in almost any soil, provided it is not too wet. It is an early grass but a slow grower. During the first y e ar are small, consisting chiefly of from short root stocks. The second year the shoots increase and f l o w e r i ng stems appear. the p l a n ts shoots leafy shade The cutting of Orchard Grass does not discour- age it. The plants recover q u i c k ly after mowing. In the this grass is especially at home, a char- acteristic w h i ch accounts for the name "Orchard" as it has no further sig- nificance. S o m e t i m es Orchard Grass is mis- taken for Crabgrass and in o t h er i n s t a n c es thought to be a desirable lawn variety. In reality it is much worse than some weeds because during drouth when good grasses are having a tough time, Orchard Grass is thriving. Its bunchy, coarse nature makes it very unsightly. Moreover, the fact that it is a perennial Jjy ORCHARD GRASS, (Dactylis glomerata) C O P Y R I G HT BY O. M. S C O TT & S O NS C O. makes it difficult to discourage. How Introduced Into Lawns There is a possibility that Orchard Grass infestation may result from the introduction of seed through carelessly prepared lawn mixtures. It is not likely that it would be intentionally used. There is also a good chance that the seeds of Orchard Grass may be intro- duced into a lawn through the use of top soil from a meadow or pasture field. The use of manure of any kind might very definitely account for the presence of Orchard Grass. Recently applied manure is not necessarily the carrier—seeds in manure used on the lawn years ago might just recently have become established. Means Of Control to the center of A heavy application of Ammonium Sulfate applied the plant will often kill it. Of course that means enough time must elapse for complete disintegration so that seed may be sowed and new grass estab- the clumps are not lished. too If numerous it is better to dig around each, lift out the entire plant, then fill the hole with soil, and follow with fer- tilizing and reseeding. Orchard Grass seems particularly re- sistant to chemical treatment, more so in fact than any of the common grasses. Cutting Orchard Grass time after time serves to flatten it out to the point where it becomes extremely unsightly. The prostrate stems will at the same time smother out the grass beneath. Dr. Fred V. Grau of Pennsylvania State College says: "It is my opinion that heavy fertili- zation and higher cutting will tend to discourage Orchard Grass, particularly if water is used to supplement rainfall." Another Insect Strikes New England Earwig is the name of a relatively new arrival in the realm of insect pests. This bug elongated, brown beetle, l/2 to % inch in length. Besides having a foul odor, its appear- ance is made still more repulsive by a pair of fierce looking forceps extend- ing from its abdomen. The pincers are seldom used, and its wings are unfolded for flight only infrequently. resembles an lurk Earwigs often come inside the house and in dark corners or closets. They are more terrorizing because of their vicious appearance, actions and habits than for any great economic damage that they cause. They live on grass and other plant roots, also on leaves which they mutilate very much as do the caterpillars. Flowers and other o r n a m e n t a ls are frequently marred by feeding habits of Earwigs. This new visitor to our shores comes from Europe, hence it has been named European Earwig. It seems to have made itself most conspicuous in Rhode Island and also in the west coast states. Control The best way to control Earwigs is to prepare and spread an effective poisoned bait made by mixing thor- oughly 12 pounds of wheat bran with 1 pound of Sodium Fluosilicate. Then add 1 quart of fish oil and again mix well. This is sufficient bait to scatter thinly over thousand square feet of lawn. Earwigs often lay their eggs in the soil among grass roots so the lawn is the logical place for the poison bait treatment. The poison will not damage the grass. To be effective the lawn should not be watered for two days after treatment. to eight five O. M. SCOTT & SONS CO. MAR YSVILLE • • OHIO EVERY PACKAGE OF SCOTTS LAWN SEED BEARS THIS TRADE-MARK AND IS SEALED FOR YOUR PROTECTION A A 45 a