19th Year No. 88 PUBLISHED FIVE TIMES YEARLY FOR LAWNTHUSIASTS AND NOW, A WEEDLESS LAWN in chemistry AC H I E V E M E N TS and agricultural science are be- coming more wondrous each day. At least one of these accomplishments will be acclaimed by in beautiful it easily elimi- nates weeds without injuring grass. lawns since interested those sibility the use of an entirely different type of chemical for selective weed con- trol. Extensive investigations made in different parts of the country gave promising results where the right mate- in the proper manner. rial was used Much credit is due scientists the United States Department of Agricul- ture and various state experiment sta- tions for a valuable public contribution. tried dozens of different formulations on the Scott experimental lawns, a new weed control product has been developed and will be marketed under the brand name of Scotts 4-X. Having in Visual evidence of what can be ex- pected from in these pages. It is easy to apply, is non- poisonous, and will not harm the desir- is presented its use after another. chemical This is not a sudden discovery. For many years, experimenters have tried one Some proved too poisonous to use with safety. Others killed the grass as well as the weeds. Generally only top was killed, and the roots sent up new growth. This was a common experi- ence and many investigators and users were misled by early results. the weed Several years ago one of our most eminent botanists suggested as a pos- Buckhorn and Plantain in early throes of death about ten days after application of Scotts 4 -X able grasses. Best of all, the cost of controlling weeds is very low. Other advantages of Scotts 4-X are that it will not stain or discolor anything but weeds, there is no poison or fire hazard, nothing caus- tic, and nothing to harm the soil. The selective action of a very minute amount of Scotts 4-X is its most startling feature. Large, healthy dandelions and other weeds in two or three weeks disappear while re- mains unharmed. the surrounding grass It is a source of wonder why any material will destroy weeds with- out harm to the grass. The expla- nation is a difference in botanical structure. A dose that proves the undoing of plants of the dicotyle- (two-leaved seedlings) will dons (one-leaved leave monocotyledons seedlings) unharmed—unless the dosage comes into direct contact with the roots. Weeds, clovers, and most garden plants are dicots. Grasses, including Crabgrass, are monocots. Method of Application Scotts 4-X is a powder that is readily soluble in water. It is made available in convenient small pack- ets, eliminating the necessity of weighing or measuring. Scotts 4-X is so powerful that less than 1/3 ounce is dissolved in ordinary tap water, then applied with a sprayer or sprinkling can to about 200 square feet of area. Almost any of the weeds found in lawns except Crabgrass will suc- cumb to Scotts 4-X. Some go out easier than others, one of the most dramatic exits being that of Dan- delion. Similarly, Buckhorn, Plan- tain, Peppergrass, Heal-all and Yel- low Trefoil are easily destroyed. The low growing vining weeds such as Chickweed, Ground Ivy Healthy dandelion just after spray of Scotts 4 -X Typical distorted growth about two weeks after treatment After three or four weeks only the grass remains. It's amazing N U M B ER 88 3 Showing reduction of clover blossoms as a result of a mid-summer spray of Scotts 4 -X and Speedwell are more difficult al- though the foliage is thoroughly drenched with the solution. they can be destroyed if Other Growth Controlled Clover is susceptible to the action of Scotts 4-X. Generally it is not killed but its growth is retarded, particularly the tendency to bloom. It is the white blossoms which constitute the main objection to Clover in lawns. A mid- summer spraying just before bloom is advocated and if repeated in early fall may serve to eliminate Clover. Other vegetation besides lawn weeds can be destroyed with Scotts 4-X. It appears that even Poison Ivy suc- cumbs if sprayed when in full leaf and actively growing. Ragweed can also be killed. This should prove good news to hay-fever victims. There is encouraging evidence that extremely harmful farm weeds such as Canada Thistle, Bindweed and Wild Morning Glory may be destroyed with Scotts 4-X. One of the disappointments is that no positive riddance of Crab- grass is as yet indicated. This is lawn pest that still requires one cultural control. Early tests indi- cate that sprayings of Scotts 4-X during the early seeding of Crabgrass in July and August may destroy the growing ability of the seeds. Shrubs, underbrush and similar leafy vegetation can be killed with Scotts 4-X, using a more concentrated dose and possibly more than one application. While most lawn weeds are destroyed in one application, some regrowth may in the case of plants having develop woody roots. Then, too, some weed plants may develop from seeds which are in the soil so that spot treatments once or twice a year may be needed to keep the lawn clean. Dock is another of the many weeds eliminated with Scotts 4 -X Yet the results obtained from appli- cation of Scotts 4-X to an average lawn are most unbelievable. For example, an area which appears so badly overrun with common weeds that a complete rebuilding may seem in order can be salvaged with a single treatment of Scotts 4-X followed up with the right feeding and seeding. The cost of elimi- nating weeds is negligible, less than a dollar per thousand square feet. Scotts 4-X may be used almost any time during the growing season. If the weather is cool, the action will be de- layed somewhat because of a slower growth rate. Weeds are most vulnerable about the time they come into bloom. Where Crabgrass may be a serious pest by crowding in quickly when other weeds are eliminated, it will be well to postpone the Scott 4-X program until after the normal time for Crabgrass germination. Since Scotts 4-X is such a potent eliminator of weeds and similar vege- tation, it is obvious that the solution should be kept away from valuable shrubs and garden plants. Unless spray- ing is done during extremely high wind, ordinary precautionary measures should suffice. New Lawn Era The development of Scotts 4-X com- pletes the series of products providing beautiful turf with reasonable effort. Weed control with Scotts 4-X is not an end in itself but instead is one step in the whole lawn program. It is possibly the climax that makes everything else worthwhile. In the past, weed control was a laborious, hand and knee job. And now the Scott Way to have a fine lawn is: (1) start with weedfree Even Poison Ivy succumbs to potent growth destroying factor in Scotts 4 -X In order lawn sections comments subject Scotts samples were in different seed of the proper variety; (2) feed regularly with Turf Builder; (3) fol- low the program of mowing and water- i ng o u t l i n ed in LAWN CARE; ( 4) a p p ly Scotts 4-X occasionally for weed control. 4-X to to supplied actual tests, of for use last year the country. Typical received: rrOne spray a month ago has killed prac- amazing. tically all weeds" Weeds began color in three days. Within three weeks heart of plants rotted and leaves pretty well with- ered(New your weed full of dandelions, buckhorn, knotweed. By Sep- tember 30, lawn was free of weeds. Grass (Illinois). was dark green and vigorous " Similar Iowa, Massachusetts rrApplied control August 28 to area (Ohio). rrlt's to turn red-brown reports from Minnesota, and New York. Jersey). O. M. S C O TT & S O NS C O. M A R Y S V I L LE - - O H IO E V E RY P A C K A GE OF S C O T TS L A WN S E ED B E A RS T H IS T R A D E - M A RK A ND IS S E A L ED F OR Y O UR P R O T E C T I ON