PUBLISHED FIVE TIMES Y E A R LY FOR LAWNTHUSIASTS AT WAR WITH WEEDS The late pioneer seedsman, O. M. Scott, was troubled intensely at the waste caused by weeds. His frugal soul rebelled at the idea of weeds in farm crops which he realized were becoming worse each year. He knew that one serious cause of the rapid spread of weeds was the typi- cal practice of sowing uncleaned seeds. So he set about to develop special mills to clean weeds out of seed. From this humble beginning evolved the industry that still bears his name. Even though Mr. Scott succeeded in making his seed practically weed-free no one could subjugate the weed popu- lation of the soil because there are so many ways for them to propagate and spread. His heart would be gladdened were he now alive to see the wonderful progress made by modern science in controlling weeds by chemical means. Weeds may be introduced into lawn areas in poorly cleaned seed, in soils or manures, or they may be blown or tracked in. The longevity of weed seeds buried in the ground has been verified by many agricultural research- ers. Dr. F. W. Dent of California Insti- tute of Technology has recently reported that even under conditions of cultiva- tion, with soil temperature and moisture favorable for growth, dormant seeds may lie sleeping for ten years or more. Weed seeds that are deeply buried may live 25 or 50 years. Almost any cultivated soil probably has enough weed seeds in it to assure a crop for a dozen years or more. This explains why weeds volunteer in gar- den areas that have been converted into lawns. P S - 7 92 Weeds are obnoxious for reasons infestations of cultivated other than crops and lawns. Some are serious health menaces. Encounters with poi- son ivy or poison oak may be extremely painful to the individual. Even worse is the widespread sneezing and snif- fling of hay fever victims resulting from airborne pollen of ragweed. In the far west Klamath Weed is the enemy of herders because it causes abortion in cattle. Even worse is the actual poisoning of livestock by the thistle-type weed called Halogeton. Jim- son Weed and Stinging Nettle are poi- sonous to humans. Science Comes Through. Since weeds are apt to be always around, it is for- tunate that scientists have found ways to subdue them by chemical treatments. "Selective" controls are available so that weeds can be subdued without undue harmful effect on the desirable grasses or the soil. These controls, though rather new, have been widely publicized and used. Selective killers of broad-leaved weeds like dandelion and plantain were intro- duced about six years ago, a construc- tive development of economic warfare research. Even more recent has been the perfection of controls for at least one grass-weed, the hated Crabgrass. though Chemical weed control is now taken for granted its development belongs in the category of a near mira- cle in science. To think of a chemical that will differentiate in its action be- tween grasses (monocotyledons) and broad-leaved weeds (dicotyledons) is startling. To have still other chemicals that sort out one grass from another seems as uncanny as nature itself. Broad-Leaved Weed Controls Growth substances belonging to the chemical group of substituted phenoxy compounds have proven the most ef- fective for control of dicotyledonous weeds. The one designated as 2,4-D is best for selective control of herbaceous weeds in turf while 2,4,5-T, a more recent introduction, is more effective in the control of woody plants. The latter is more likely to be injurious to desir- able grasses and clover. Since the introduction of these selec- tive controls, the main development has been in the composition of the materials pertaining to its method of application. The three major steps have been: 1. A powder (such as 4-X), that could he applied only when mixed with water. 2. In combination with fertilizer concentrated liquid or & Feed). This was quite a step ward because application with a it enabled spreader. (Weed for- easy dry 3. In the very latest weed control, 4-XD, is impregnated into a carrier, easily dispersed lawn by hand or with a the chemical dry granular over the spreader. The formulation of the latter is quite unique and offers many advantages, including low cost, ease of application, and use in hot weather. Its use per- mits the feeding program to be planned independently of weed control. When To Use—Each weed control product will have directions applicable to it. These should be followed. In general, applications are to be made as weeds come into active growth or whenever they are conspicuous. There are certain exceptions, such as timing relative to sowing seed; use on new, tender grass; application to dry grass; effect of early rain or watering. Keep Off Ornamentals—Practically all ornamental and garden plants are dicots and susceptible to herbicidal injury. In application, some formula- tions may drift badly or volatilize and settle on nearby vegetation in harmful in spreader application concentrations. Generally such injury is due to careless use, serious over-applica- tion or failure to clean the sprayer properly, if that is the form of applica- tion. The danger is practically elimi- nated that delivers the material just above the lawn surface. In naturalistic plantings of crocuses in lawns, it is well to wait until their growth is subsiding. Effect On Clover—Since lawn clover is in the same broad botanical class as non-grass weeds, it is obvious that it will be affected by the same chemicals. However, lawn clover is fairly resistant and usually a normal dosage of 4-XD or W E ED & F E ED will simply inhibit blos- soming without permanent effect on the roots. This is gratifying to those who like the beneficial effect of clover vegetation but consider profuse white blossoms a distraction to a nice lawn. If clover is considered objectionable, its growth may actually be subdued by repeat applications at monthly intervals. Yellow-blossomed Bur Clover, on the other hand, is susceptible so this com- CURVED BORDERS In bordering a lawn with flower beds, many folks prefer an irregularly curved border to a straight line. The effect of sweeping curves is more in- formal and more pleasing to the eye. laying out and preparing such a border the problem is: How can the edge of the turf be marked off and cut along a smooth curve? In Lay out a garden hose along the bor- der to be prepared. Position the hose on the ground in the shape of the curved border that seems best. Then use the spade or edging tool to cut the turf along the hose. Easy does it! The hose will rest a bit more firmly on -the ground while cutting if filled with water. mon western lawn weed can be easily controlled by a single treatment. Dichondra, like most broad-leaved weeds, is easily killed. The advantages of time saving weed controls therefore can not be utilized on areas intention- ally planted to this ground cover. Hand weeding must be done and the dichon- dra encouraged to cover more densely by regular feeding. Some Weeds Tougher—Fortunately most of the worst lawn weeds are easily killed, particularly Dandelions, Buckhorn, Plantain and Thistle. Other weeds, however, are sufficiently differ- ent in vegetative characteristics or in habits of growth that the usuaf control program does not suffice. Chickweed is resistant to weed con- trol chemicals during the cool, wet weather of late fall and early spring. It is more susceptible in warmer, drier weather. Repeat treatments may be needed. Spurge—hot Knotweed, weather weeds, tough to kill because of wiry stems, little leaf growth, and apparently inherent resistance to chemi- cals. Make first application in June, repeat through summer as needed. Nutgrass and Sedge, troublesome in wet soils, are actually monocots but seem to be curtailed by repeat treat- ments of 2,4-D weed controls. S p e e d w e l l, G r o u nd L a wn I v y, Pennywort, other vining weeds—Re- peat treatments if plants recover. Oxalis is resistant. The purple variety seems completely immune. The green variety is sometimes retarded by repeat treatments. Successful Use—Overall applications are better than spot-treating individual weeds or even patches. In this latter method, many small plants are over- looked. Knawel, Regardless of which form of weed con- trol is employed} it must be kept in mind that this is but one phase of lawn mainte- itself will not nance. Weed reduce and seeding, proper mowing and watering. for regular the need feeding control of SIRS: Ants have been a terrible problem where we live. Not only do they infest the lawn and trees, but also invade houses, becoming most obnoxious. I sprinkled your Scotts Pest Control all around the house and around the base of all trees which were heavily infested with ants. I also used the material in the joints of the sidewalk and driveway. The gar- bage can in the back yard seemingly contained billions of ants. A sprinkle of the Pest Control and they just seemed to fall over one another, becoming so frustrated as to fight themselves. All during the following weeks, I kept checking and found that once the dusting had been done, the ants did not return. Your Pest Control is the answer for an ant eliminator in this area. J. A. KELLEY. Lawn Moths Active In Summer Months With the approach of warm weather watch for the little tan colored moths that like to lay their eggs in good lawns. Often they are flushed out of the grass when the is mowed or watered, but the best time to observe them is at dusk. It is then they make short flights over the lawn, laying the eggs that will hatch into grass eating Sod Webworms. lawn Browning of the turf in patches (a moth eaten appearance) can be pre- vented by applying a good Pest Control and leaving it on the surface of the lawn for a couple davs before watering. June or July is a good time to apply Pest Control and usually one applica- tion will be sufficient for the season. The moths may continue to fly since they hide in nearby shrubbery and come in from surrounding areas, but if the lawn has been treated there is reasonable assurance is protected against damage. it "Some folks worry about possible effect of SCUTL on clover, which it does not kill. Even if it did, clover is replaced at little cost. It is worth a good deal more to get rid of offensive Crabgrass."—C. A. HARRIS, Harris Seed Store, Ann Arbor. And in This Corner ance in late June or early July. In other areas it may appear in May or early June. 2. Repeat—treatments are needed at five to seven day intervals, usually a total of three at Normal Rate. If treat- ment is coarse, stemmy, matted, then two at Double Rate will be more effective. is delayed until Crabgrass 3. Maturing Crabgrass grows fast and smothers desirable grasses. If its competition is stopped before mid- summer, it will do much less damage to the lawn. Copyright, 1950. New York Herald Tribune Inc. Crabgrass Can Be Conquered For generations Crabgrass has been the bully of lawns. Its hot weather campaign every summer made the typi- cal family cower and cringe. That is the way it was until a year ago. Then home owners found that the new S C U TL was the David to help them knock out the giant. loving lawn L A WN C A RE readers by the hundreds wrote grateful letters last fall because for the first time Crabgrass had not been the bane of their lawn lives. They were expressing thanks for the intro- duction of S C U T L. The same formulation of easy-to-use material is available this year, at least supplies seem sufficient for the early part of the season. S C U TL is dry-applied just as it comes from the package, preferably with the spreader. Here are a few hints to plan a successful program: first application until crabgrass plants are plainly vis- ible in lawn. The time varies with cli- matic conditions. In the cooler climates Crabgrass begins to make its appear- 1. Timing—Delay the summer 4. Wild Grasses other than Crab- grass may spoil lawn. Quite a few folks failed to recognize the difference and have been disap- pointed when S C U TL did not kill what they called Crabgrass. Unfortunately there is as yet no selective control for these weed grasses: Mouse Barley, Vel- vet Grass, Quack, Johnson, Dallis Grass, or for Foxtail, Bermuda or Devil Grass. The prophet who promised reward to Knew the meek little the plans of King the sneak; Crabgrass, Who schemed subtle, to inherit, by intrigue so The face of the earth,'til rescued by SCUTL. If you want to own a complete set of L A WN C A RE bulletins right up to date they are avail- able in a heavy paper cover for only 25c. T he same set of bulle- tins in a green leather style ring binder with room for saving future bulletins is only $1.00. See your local Scott dealer or mail coin, stamps or check to Scotts at Palo Alto, California. O M S C O TT & S O NS C O. M A R Y S V I L LE - - O H IO EVERY PACKAGE OF SCOTTS LAWN CARE PRODUCTS BEARS THIS TRADE - MARK AND IS SEALED FOR YOUR PROTECTION