25th Year No 121 PUBLISHED FIVE TIMES YEARLY FOR LAWNTHUSIASTS ' , \ \ \ \ 1 A-j-ijJJ^ \ LAWN CARE — This little publication is *ts ^e a r* ^s e e ms kut a short time ago that it made a trial run of a few thousand copies. Now it's grown into millions. The folks who put the first issue to- gether are still very much on the job— a bit heavier and balder than in 1928, but just as enthusiastic about Lawn Care's mission. Those who received Lawn Care Vol I, No 1 can hardly be called charter subscribers since they did not ask to receive the publication. They were merely exposed to it. But loyal reader- ship developed quickly. In fact, the only set of original issues in our files at Marysville was sent to us by a kindly lady from Minnesota who was moving to a beach apartment in Florida and felt that she would no longer need them. She guessed rightly that her late husband had done a better job of sav- ing than we had. The lasting interest in the Lawn Care bulletins was not anticipated. However, the demand for back issues soon indi- cated the bulletins were being referred to often, passed around the neighbor- hood. This led to the reprinting of material from the earlier issues in digest 928 and N OW form and the development of the paper covered file and loose-leaf binder. In the beginning Lawn Care was dedicated to serve the typical lawn en- thusiast. His help was asked and re- ceived. Good ideas were passed along in succeeding issues. Lawn Care became a sort of clearing house, reporting reader experience as well as the latest in experimental information. In reviewing those earlier issues it is evident the major and almost unsur- mountable lawn problem of 25 years ago was—weeds. They were the bane and despair of those who wanted nice lawns. The lawn enthusiasts wrath and abuse knew no bounds . .. all sorts of attacks on weeds were in use. They were chopped at, slashed and dug, smothered or burned, but still they persisted. The second issue of Lawn Care named Crabgrass as the king of weed pests, and frankly, there was little to offer but sympathy. Most correspon- dents seemed to give up in hopeless despair on that problem until 22 years later Scutl came along. Readers did devise clever ruses to overcome the No 2 pest—Dandelions. One man trained his Boston Bull to nip off the yellow tassles. He did stop seed production but the old plants continued merrily on. Others in the weed battle became acid-throwers. Inventive minds devised torture tools by the hundreds, claiming easy extermination. But in most cases two or three Dandelions appeared in a few weeks after the plant was suppos- edly cut out. Then there were those hollow canes filled with poison, so one could take a stroll about the lawn of an evening, nonchalantly dropping de- struction on the hated Dandelion with each grounding of the cane. Happily, those days when weeds reigned supreme are past. No lawn need now be marred by their ugliness. Mate- rials for control are more easily applied than mowing the lawn. Convenient granular materials, such as 4-XD, Weed & Feed and Scutl are placed in the spreader—a walk over the lawn and the job's done. Weed control is just one of the many advancements in lawn culture over the past quarter century. While science and research have played their part, they would never have been utilized had it not been for the intense interest and keen desire of those who wanted better lawns. Today's lawn methods make the job easier, at less cost and with the as- surance of more satisfying results. We like to think that this little publication has played a vital part in making Amer- icans more lawn-conscious. Lawn Mowing and Ecclesiastical History . . . A faithful Lawn Care reader sent this report taken from the minutes 1797) of one of Churches of the country: in (year the earlier Episcopal . 1797-May 10 The Church called Rev . He was to preach in E D Rattone Flushing every other Sabbath . His salaiy per annum was the interest of 900 pounds, and 100 pounds additional were pledged if it could be raised. Olive Browne was named sexton on a sal- ary of 6 pounds per annum and the privilege of cutting the grass in the Church yard. The clerk was allowed the same sum but instead of the grass extra, was to receive an admonition for past irregular conduct. I| Romping on the grass ?—ED. Established weeds of other types, horn, Chickweed, Heal All, Ground Primer on Weed Control What to Use? To catch seedling grass-type weeds as they are sprouting—apply Scutl see Lawn Care #120. at two-week intervals than grass i.e., Dandelions, Plantain, Buck- Ivy. Use 4-XD or Weed & Feed. Each of these products carries the same weed control chemical. However, Weed & Feed also supplies a generous feeding for the grass. If lawn has been fed, is hale and hearty, use 4-XD. it the extra stimulation of the double action Weed & Feed. rundown, give If Crabgrass is controlled with Scutl. If a series of treatments is not started in April or May, then begin applications as soon as Crabgrass is plainly visible in the lawn. Depending upon the climate, this will be June or early July. Other wild grasses cannot be chemically in process of germina- controlled except tion as described in first paragraph. How to apply Scutl, 4-XD and Weed & Feed are easily and accurately applied with Scotts Lawn Spreader. Setting direc- tions are in each product package. English Lawns Then and Now sow clean The excellence of lawns in England was noted in the first is- sue of Lawn Care. The following quotation from an English gar- dener was included as his answer to the query of how to do it: the "That is easy. You simply prepare seed bed carefully; seed; roll; weed; water; fertilizer; and mow —after a hundred years of such prac- tice you have a real The time required seems more exag- gerated now than it did then. Further- more one of this country's most renowned turf scientists made an ob- servation 25 years ago that is still applicable now. He felt the gardener failed to name the most important rea- son for the excellence of English lawns, namely—their favorable climate. Their grass is not subjected to extremes of lawn". cold and heat, moisture conditions are usually favorable because of frequent rains (even the fogs help). Now comes an authority who thinks the English lawns are good because they are not used like American lawns —that is they are enjoyed visually only and not used for play and outdoor liv- ing like our lawns. Actually we don't know the real an- swer. We do know it's pretty hard to beat cool weather, optimum moisture and intelligent care when it comes to the matter of grass growing. Farm Editor Reports on Weed Controls (From the Utica, N Y Daily August 31, 1951) Press, We have looked with a sort of jaundiced eye on the so-called weed killers especially where the label reads that those plants you don't want will be picked out and killed, while the grass in your lawn grows better, be- cause the competition has been eliminated. We spread a bag of some stuff called 4 - XD on a part of the front lawn and kept a section untreated to have a sort of check plot. The stuff was supposed to pick out the Dandelions and kill them off, while the grass grew greener. Well, it did. First the Dandelion stems curled up, then the crown of the plant rotted away, the whole thing disappeared. The grass did grow better because it had more room. Now this new stuff will not kill the seeds so we had to put on a second application in about three weeks to stop the baby plants from growing. This week we examined the lawn, along with the Managing Editor, and there were practically no weeds where the 4 - XD stuff had been broadcast. The untreated section was loaded with weeds. Now the label said nothing about killing Chickory, but the untreated sector was loaded with this weed and its blue flowers and we couldn't find a single plant where we had spread 4-XD. Which all goes to show there is a lazy man's way to get the weeds out of the lawn today. Sirs: We have been buying your products for many a year and are pleased with everything. Scutl was a life saver last year. It was sure wonderful. Baltimore, Md MRS GRASON MARTIN THE GRASS Have you noted the tendency these days to belittle standards and to prom- ise something for nothing in a rather dim future? We've noted it about grasses. The grasses which have pro- duced beautiful lawns the country over for many years are now unfairly casti- gated by many magazine writers. This with a promise of better things to come i f, as, and when this happens or that happens,—glowing promises that may or may not mean something to the next generation. Seeds have been our business since 1870 and Scotts Research is probably the largest devoted to the home lawn. We favor progress and lay claim to many lawn "firsts" as Lawn Care read- ers know. However, just as we recog- nize the good in all folk even if they are not perfect, we honor the proven, time-tested grass varieties that have been making good lawns for so many years. It was refreshing to come, across a poem on grass, sent to us by one of the earlier Lawn Care readers. The authors evaluation of grass is even more perti- nent today than a half century ago. The grass knows well in her secret heart How we love her cool green raiment, So she plays in silence her lonely part And cares not at all for payment. We say of the oak, "How grand of girth!" Of the willow we say "How slender!" And yet to the soft grass clothing the earth How slight is the praise we render. Each year on the earth's wide breast she waves From spring until stern November; And then she remembers so many graves That no one else will remember. And while she serves us with gladness mute In return for such sweet dealings We treat her carelessly underfoot, feelings. But we never wound her The author of those stanzas is reported as Edgar Fawcett, American poet, novelist and dramatist, born in New York City, May 26, 1847, died in London, May 2, 1904. Fluorine Sprinkling Water In It is reported that over 200 commu- nities will soon be adding fluorine to their supply of drinking water for the claimed benefits in reducing tooth decay among children. Not all citizens agree this is a good thing as evidenced by the fight over whether fluorides should be added to the water supply of the city of Seattle. Those opposed have brought up many objections and have raised the question of what this chemical could do to their lawns. It seems the Puget Sound folks need not worry from that score. Many of our test lawns have been irrigated for years with city water having a natural fluorine content of the amount recommended by some dentists. These lawns thrive year after year so it seems there is no harm- ful accumulation of fluorine in the soil. Folks also ask about chlorine-treated water. Here again experience shows that if water is safe for drinking and bathing purposes it certainly will be good for the grass. It is often said that "sprinkling does no good, it's a waste of time and money, rainfall is the only watering that really counts". Usually such opinions develop because of differences in amounts of water applied. Most folks realize that a rainfall of an inch or more is con- sidered necessary to have a "rain that counts". Few, however, ever apply that much water in sprinkling or take the few moments' time necessary to exam- ine their soil to a depth of three or four inches to see if it's really moist. Cold water is all right—hardwater is all right—the important thing is to use enough to soak the soil. Heavy soils re- quire more water at one time. Sandy soils are easily moistened but dry out quickly. The total moisture need is about the same but the amount and fre- quency of application vary as between heavy and light soils. "Never under-estimate the power of a woman" The following report is verbatim from one of the outstanding California nursery- men: Customer was told by an expert of the C o u n t ry Club that Scutl had not proven successful. Customer's w i fe was not con- vinced so she decided to use it against her husband's wishes. The results were so good after the first application that hubby fell in line 100% and asked his wife to get more Scutl. €| Only two applications were needed —results outstanding. ED. Sirs: They said I couldn't grow grass under the big pine tree on my front lawn. Well, that space right now is covered with a carpet of beautiful green grass. Thanks to Scotts Seed, Turf Builder and directions in Lawn Care. Wyoming, Dela At Home & Abroad DAVE WILLIAM One of the foremost seedsmen of Europe, Henry Mommersteeg, Vlijmen, Holland, re- cently visited the United States as he has frequently done. Upon returning home he wrote us as follows: "The writer has brought home an excellent impression of the fine work you are doing with regard to every- thing that concerns lawns and lawn grasses. At the many places I have been in the United States and Europe, I never encountered such serious research work." 4-X Spray For Weeds Quite a few readers have asked about the Scotts 4-X powder which was formerly avail- able. This material is dissolved in water and applied as a spray to control dandelions, plantain, chickweed and other non-grass weeds. We still have some of the 4-X even though it is no longer shown on the price list. Available sizes include No 2, 1400 sq ft $1.00; No 3, 6000 sq ft $3.25; No 18-6, 18,000 sq ft $6.85. Gastronomic Department A recent list of wild plants suitable for eating as greens included dande- lions, dock, wild onion, cress and lamb's quarters. Maybe so, but we say if you don't wanna eat 'em—4-XD 'em. O M SCOTT & SONS CO. 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