. f 1 24th Year jLetWwtCetkc T.M. REC PUBLISHED FIVE TIMES YEARLY FOR LAWNTHUSIASTS , No. 116 T 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. MR-757 other than crops and Weeds are obnoxious for reasons infestations of cultivated 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 concentrated liquid or powder (such as 4-X), that could be applied only when mixed with water. 2. In combination with fertilizer (Weed & Feed). This was quite a step for- ward because easy dry application with a spreader. it enabled 3. In the very latest weed control, 4-XD, the chemical into a dry granular carrier, easily dispersed over the lawn by hand or with a spreader. is impregnated 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 to herbicidal injury. In application, some formula- tions may drift badly or volatilize and settle on nearby vegetation in harmful susceptible in spreader application just above 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 the lawn surface. In naturalistic plantings of crocuses in lawns, it is well to wait until their growth is subsiding. Effect On Clover—Since 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, clover is fairly resistant and usually a normal dosage of 4-XD or W E ED & FEED 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. CURVED BORDERS lawn with In bordering a 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 In a nd p r e p a r i ng such a border the the a of cut along can o ff and problem- is: How turf smooth be marked the edge curve? 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. Study it a bit from several angles, readjust it here and there until the desired con- tour is arranged. 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. the worst Some Weeds Tougher—Fortunately most of 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 usual control program does not suffice. A few exam- ples follow: 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 and treatments then will be more effective. Repeat treatments may be needed. Knotweed, Knawel, Spurge—hot 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. Speedwell, Ground Ivy, Lawn Pennywort, other vining weeds—Re- peat treatments if plants recover. Wild Onion or Garlic—Serious infes- tations may lime. Apply weed control as plants emerge in spring, repeat in few weeks. Im- lime and fertilizers. prove soil with Same program may be needed for Buttercup, Devil's Paint Brush, Yar- row and Sheep Sorrel. Successful Use—Overall applications are better than spot-treating individual weeds or even patches. In this latter method, many small plants are over- looked. As a rule, weeds are most vul- nerable when the weather is conducive to rapid growth. indicate need for • A couple of New Jersey black dirt boys were out early this year. Ran into trouble though, because they tried to "sell" a Bridgeport, Connecticut cop who promptly took them into custody. The alert officer saved money for him- self and other citizens too. ALL IN A DAY'S MAIL SIRS: I prepared my lawn then planted your seed. I certainly am very much disappointed with the results. Cannot see any difference between this and cheap seed. MRS. EMMA M. BROWN. Queens Village, L. I., N. Y. SIRS: . . . Will you accept our apologies for the letter of ten days ago? The seed is now com- ing along fine. We just squawked too soon. GROVE CITY HARDWARE Grove City, Penna. 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 just seemed to fall over one another, becoming so frustrated as to fight themselves. the Pest Control and they the All during 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. Greenville, S. Carolina. SIRS: . .. In early October last year, your Weed & Feed was applied to a lawn that had more its share of plantain and dandelions. than Now it is mid-May [1950] and dandelions are in abundance. ARROW TANK CO. Buffalo, N. Y. If Just a bit impatient. See below—ED. SIRS: Since writing you a few weeks ago, there has been a remarkable change where Weed & Feed was used. It seemed as though the plan- tain and dandelions just vanished. We are pleased. . . . ARROW TANK CO. Buffalo, N. Y. "Some folks worry about possible effect of it does not kill. SCUTL on clover, which 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 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 SCUTL was the David to help them knock out the giant. loving lawn LAWN CARE 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 SCUTL. The same formulation of easy-to-use material is available this year, at least supplies seem sufficient for the early part of the season. SCUTL is dry-applied just as it comes from the package, preferably with the spreader. Here are a few hints to plan a successful program: application until crabgrass plants are plainly vis- ible in lawn. The time varies with climatic conditions but generally Crab- grass is just getting started about the time there has been enough hot weather 1. Timing—Delay first and sunshine to bring rambler roses into full bloom. Crabgrass should be well under way when the first holly- hock bloom is spotted. 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. 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 SCUTL did not kill what they called Crabgrass. Unfortunately there is as yet no selective control for these weed grasses: Goose, Panic, Witch, Quack, Johnson, Dallis Grass, or for Foxtail, Bermuda or Devil Grass. The prophet who promised reward to the meek little the plans of King Crabgrass, the sneak; to inherit, by intrigue so Knew Who schemed subtle, The face of the earth,'til What Happened? rescued by SCUTL. A Baltimore dealer reported the experience of a city customer who planted 25 lbs. seed and got a beautiful lawn in three weeks. Her neighbors were very complimentary until it became obvious the grass was dying wherever anyone walked on it. that The answer is easy. Seed planted 'way too thick. Probably needed 5 lbs. instead of 25 lbs. Grass was so thick, growth was spindly, weak, easily crushed and bruised. Hot sun and slight drying fatal in such a condition. 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. control of for regular the need feeding O M S C O TT & S O NS C O. (Scotá) 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 S E A L ED FOR YOUR PROTECTION