P U B L I S H ED IN F E B R U A R Y, MARCH. APRIL, A U G U ST A ND SEPTEMBER BY O. M. SCOTT 8t SONS CO. MARYSVILLE, O H IO Fifteenth Year Number 68 C O N S E R VE Y O UR L A WN T O O LS in many CO N S E R V A T I ON of everything used by civilians is a part of the war strategy. Not only are we urged to conserve, but instances there will be no replacements until the number one task now facing the coun- try is brought to a successful conclu- sion. Such a national policy is not with- out its application to the peaceful busi- ness of maintaining a lawn. Simple as that front line of home defense may seem, it calls into play many tools, many appliances and many gadgets which scarcely qualify for a priority rating. Thus replacements cannot be expected until metals as well as manufacturing facilities and manpower are no longer required to provide instruments of war. own ought to be treated with utmost respect. It is high time an inventory was taken of all the various equipment used in the care of your lawn, garden, trees and shrubbery. Let's consider a few tools in the order of importance: The Mower Leading manufacturers have author- ized us to say that only a very limited number of new units can be made this year. They suggest that the home owner take the best possible care of his present equipment. Mowers are often sadly neglected. Many no doubt will last twice as long if kept in good storage, cleaned and oiled regularly, adjusted and sharpened by those who make a practice of this business. When condi- tioning mowers it would be the ideal time to become better informed on mak- ing the proper adjustments for high cutting. In fact the proper cutting of the lawn may result in less frequent cut- ting and that means added life to the mower. Correct mowing is an extremely Time To Take Stock Just a year ago we suggested by way of cartoon that it was time to return the neighbor's snow shovel and get back your own lawn roller. That was good seasonal advice but now it is good war time advice, because the tools you now factor important in maintenance. A sharp, well adjusted mower is better for grass since there is no pinching or tear- ing of blades that causes them to turn brown. For a review of this subject read No. 54 L A WN C A R E. Sprinklers finally the oscillating Most people have a novel collection of sprinklers. Mr. Average Home Owner began to water his lawn back in the spray nozzle period, then bought a brass circular type, next a crescent or half- moon variety for self protection, then the type where multiple units are screwed into the hose at different inter- type. vals, and With little opportunity to replace pres- ent equipment it is advisable now to check up on your sprinklers and have them in good working order when first dry spells attack lush, fast growing grass and give it a withering blow. Turf is harmed by lack of adequate moisture long before the seriousness of the situa- tion is detected. As in the case of mow- ing, proper sprinkling may mean less sprinkling. Smooth working sprinklers give better and more uniform distribu- tion of water and that means smoother, more velvety lawns. For a resume of this subject read No. 60 L A WN CARE. Hose The owner of an underground sprin- kling system is now expressing great satisfaction. Even last fall rubber hose began to creep up in price and stocks got lower. Some hose may still be had but supplies are at the lowest level in 25 years. Perhaps nothing used in the care of lawns or in the maintenance of flower gardens, shrubbery gets such improper care as the hose. It is piled up in a corner, knotted, hung on some spike which may cut through the outer fabric, or left out behind the garage. Keeping hose on a reel is better for both the hose and the lawn. The habit of leaving hose on the grass either smothers it or causes bleaching. The present condition of the home supply of hose may tell how serious was the blow trees and the Japs dealt when they invaded the Malay States. In another year synthetic rubber is promised and some of it will doubtless go into garden hose. In the meanwhile, conserve by proper care what you have. Small Hand Tools to continue serving Manufacturers of such equipment are somewhat more optimistic about the their ability trade than the mower makers. Hoes and cultivators, of course, come within this range of tools and the manufac- turers have been given a more favor- able rating in the metal market. Since food has a definite place in winning the war, such tools as may be needed in the production operations can still be made and sold. Nevertheless supplies will be definitely shorter than in normal years and one can well afford to get the best service out of existing equipment. All tools such as hoes and rakes should be cleaned up, and new handles put on where needed. Dull hoes should be sharpened. Rollers In recent years more rollers have made their appearance in every Ameri- can neighborhood. No doubt many lawns have been excessively flattened out because the home owner had at last invested in something which previ- ously was a rarity. Here will be an extremely scarce item so the man with a roller should keep a keen eye on this prized possession. Seed and Fertilizer Spreaders This item is entitled to special empha- sis. In the conservation program, which ought to include time and manpower as well as materials, a sturdy, accurately regulated spreader is important. Not only does it insure the even sowing of seed and distribution of fertilizer but makes sure that each covers the maxi- mum area. The hand sower may waste seed and produce an irregular stand. Fertilizer applied by hand is likely to result in streaking and sometimes may even burn the turf. Many lawns which have formerly been cared for by tran- sient or local gardeners may find them- selves this year under the watchful care of the owner himself. The great host of lawn owners who have always done the chore themselves may be pressed for time and find that the spreader saves many man-hours. The use of clean weedfree seed and highly efficient grass food is the most economical method of keeping your lawn "alert." Weeds and chaii mean waste as well as disappointment. Greater Emphasis On Home A prominent reporter of government action announces that living-at-home is being urged in the existing emergency. Readers of L A WN C A RE are obviously home folks, so such advice is hardly pertinent, but to emphasize the need for as normal liv- ing as is possible on the home front. For relaxation in these days of tremen- dous stress we suggest the tranquility of an evening with your lawn. Home gardens will doubtless become popular again and will provide some food and much diversion. We quote the follow- ing editorial director of Garden Digest: from Andrew Wing, it is not untimely "Any program for the development of Gardens for Victory must include the growing of trees, shrubbery, flowers and lawns, for the health of the mind as well as vegetables for the health of the body. Ornamental gardening is a vital and absolutely essential part of American life today, and its value as a stimulus to national, physical and spir- itual well-being is beyond calculation. The importance of ornamental horticul- ture is made apparent with the fact that the British Government has given encouragement to home owners to con- tinue the culture of flowers and main- tenance of lawns as a form of recrea- tion and relief from war strain." Your lawn is the symbol of peace at its proper maintenance a home and vital factor in keeping up morale. Keep oif the Grass An idyllic-minded corporal at McDill Field, Tampa, Florida, planted grass in his barracks yard. Pridefully he posted a sign reading, "Please keep off the grass," to which nobody paid any atten- tion. He revised it to "Keep off the grass." Still nobody took heed. Finally he painted this notice: "Keep ofi the Colonel's grass." The effect was instan- taneous and gratifying. Words of simi- lar magic are needed to keep more newly seeded home lawns untrampled. $ Sirs: While my lot is small, there are no weeds that won't grow on it, and no bugs or worms or ants that refuse to make it their home. They give me one excuse to be out-of-doors. In this day and age there is no front porch from which to nod to the neighbors as they pass. So I put on my slacks and pass the time of day with passing neighbors who live blocks away and whom I would not otherwise see. We discuss the weather, settle the war, and talk weeds. Then they watch that patch of grass every time they pass. And they notice it is getting better. MISS EDITH NORTON Evans ton, Illinois # Mallow Not a Perennial "May I venture to point out an error in your excellent bulletin for Septem- ber, 1941 (No. 67). Mallow, both in my experience and in several manuals I have consulted, is listed as an annual or biennial, primarily the former." We are indebted to Dr. C. }. Willard, associate in Agronomy, Ohio Experi- ment Station, Wooster, Ohio, for the above correction. He also points out that there are other members of the family. These were omitted Mallow intentionally f r om o ur discussion because they largely infest farms and are not troublesome in home lawns. $ Poison Ivy continues to lead the field in later bulletin recent reader comment. we propose to reopen this subject. Experi- ences in eradicating this pest or any other are always welcomed. In a Sirs: I see that the two weeds I sent to you for identification are Chickweed and Heal-All. My druggist got some Sodium Chlorate and I used a teaspoonful to a gallon of water and sprin- kled it over the area infested with these two weeds and Crabgrass as well. The next morn- ing the Chickweed had turned brown and the second morning the Heal-All was a sickly yel- low. A week later I raked out the dead weeds, applied Turf Builder and sowed your lawn seed with the very convenient spreader. LAWRENCE LUSSON Blue Island, Illinois # Dandelion Hailed As Rubber Source In the American press recently ap- peared a story to the effect that in Rus- sia a type of dandelion had been culti- vated which may help to solve the rub- ber shortage. The milky latex is taken from the roots of the plant and yields 150 to 200 pounds of crude rubber per acre. Farm researchers in the United States are the matter. Damage to surrounding crops might outweigh the rubber value, suggests one authority. A city man said it was easy to grow dandelions in his front yard. (It might be until he tried and then the good grass would probably take them.) This news release has probably intrigued many a home owner and pro- vided no end of fireside conversation. looking into Sirs: G A peddler cleaned up here selling a grass that grows to a height of only inches. The Better Business Bureau caught up with him. This particular cheat advised his custom- ers to throw away their lawn mowers. Doesn't this sound like the gentleman to whom you refer now and then? two A. F. ANDERSON, Cranston, Rhode Island. The same fellow, a relative, or some other believer in Barnum's theory. The Scott Publications Lawn Care—Subjects featured in pre- vious bulletins include: 1928 Plantain, Sodium Chlorate. 1929 Compost, Moss, Web Worms, Iron Sulphate, Buckhorn. 1930 G r o u nd Ivy, Y a r r o w, Earth- worms, Heal-All, Ants. 1931 Speedwell, Creeping Buttercup, Moles, Knotweed. 1932 Sheep Sorrel, Quackgrass, Spurge, Trefoil, Goosegrass. 1933 Nimble Will, Knawel, Terraces, Shepherd's Purse, Ground Covers. 1934 Sedge, Purslane, Spring Seeding, Dandelions, Summer Feeding. 1935 Peppergrass, Shade, Crabgrass, 1936 Clover, Poa Annua, Henbit, Fall Summer Injury. Seeding, Foxtail. 1937 Honeycombed Soil, Grubs, Or- chard Grass, Soils, Turf Diseases. 1938 L i m i n g, D a n d e l i o n s, C h i n ch Bugs, Burlap Cover, Wild Garlic. 1939 Chickweed, Mowing, Dandelions, Fall Seeding, Poison Ivy. 1940 Spring Program, Organic Matter, Watering, Vitamins. 1941 Winter Affects Grass, Fertilizing, Moneywort, Mallow, Weed Con- trol. Binder—An attractive A full set of bulletins with index, in stiff paper binding, will be sent for 25c. leaf binder which contains all L A WN C A RE bulletins, with ample room for future issues—$1.00 postage paid. loose Good Lawns—The amateur garden- er's guide to better lawns. Contains a complete outline for building new lawns and improving old ones. Free. Bent Lawns—Illustrated new edition. Tells about the most beautiful of all lawn grasses—Scotts Creeping Bent. Free upon request. O. M. SCOTT & SONS CO. MAR Y S V I L LE • • O H IO EVERY PACKAGE OF SCOTTS LAWN SEED BEARS THIS TRADE-MARK AND IS SEALED FOR YOUR PROTECTION