A discussion of the vital problems of lawn making and maintenance O. M. S C O TT 8T S O NS C O M P A NY - SEEDSMEN - MARYSV1LLE, OHIO PUBLISHED S E V E R AL TIMES YEARLY BY V o l .V September 1932 No. 5 GOOSE GRASS Other Names—Silver Crab Grass, Wire Grass, Crow-foot Grass. Annual—Propagates by seeds. Seed Time—July to October. Range—Nearly all of North America. Habitat—Lawns in full sun; worse in poor soils. about the same period. Since coming to America this weed has thrived. It is so domesticated that its progeny may now be found in almost every section of the continent. R E S E M B L ES CRAB GRASS. Goose Grass is similar to Crab Grass in that it does not start growth until hot G O O SE G R A S S, Eleusine Indica. India was the birthplace of Goose Grass, the lawn weed presented in this issue. Probably one hundred and fifty years ago this weed came to our shores. It may have come directly from India or perhaps simultaneously from southern Europe where Goose Grass was traced at weather and it is killed by the first frost. If one examines Goose Grass carefully there will be no danger of confusing it with Crab Grass, but because of the simi- larly formed seed heads the two are sometimes mistaken for each other. The finger-like spikelets are the points of VOLUME S [ 9] there compressed, are usually similarity. Crab Grass, however, is much finer and has a different habit of growth. Goose Grass grows from clustered fibrous roots, the culms six inches to two feet long are flattened and dull green. From the base several loose and branches. The sheaths are overlapping, smooth but hairy at the throat. The weed is an an- nual and seeds between July and Octo- ber depending upon the climate. Spikes vary from two to eight (a great many with three) and are borne in finger-like projections at the tip of the stalks. The seeds are black and wrinkled. The spike- lets are from one to three inches long (shorter than Crab Grass seed heads) and rather flat, whereas Crab Grass spikelets are more rounded. SOILS WHERE FOUND. In certain countries Goose Grass has been somewhat improved and cultivated to the extent that the seeds have been used in making a rather inferior quality of flour. The fact that it is usually found in poor soils has associated Goose Grass with poor and primitive people. It main- tains that complex by thriving in this country in lawns where the soil is poor and unproductive. HOW DISTRIBUTED. The seeds of Goose Grass are fre- quently found in manure. The use of manure on lawns is almost certain to be followed by the appearance of Goose Grass, Crab Grass and Buckhorn. These weeds have probably flourished in the fields on which the animals have been pastured. The seeds of Goose Grass should not appear in lawn seed but might be found in very inferior grades. HOW CONTROLLED. A few drops of crude carbolic acid squirted into the heart of a tuft with a common oiling can will kill it without de- facing the smoothness of the turf. No damage will be done the surrounding [ 1 0] VOLUME 5 grass because of the small amount of acid used. The acid treatments recom- mended for plantain may also be em- ployed. Goose Grass has a very tough, fibrous root so hand pulling is quite a laborious task. In such cases As Goose Grass, like Crab Grass, is an annual it can be eliminated from a lawn eventually by preventing the production of seeds. This is accomplished by pull- ing out the young plants in June or July before the seed heads have formed or, in a large lawn, by raking over the in- fested area to pull up the flat, close lying stems so they will be cut by the lawn mower. the clippings should be caught and removed to pre- vent scattering the seeds over the lawn. Several years ago tests were conducted at one of the experiment stations and findings were to the effect that feeding Goose Grass infested turf with an acid fertilizer such as Sulfate of Ammonia checked the weed very noticeably. The use of Lime and Nitrate of Soda seemed to make it thrive. Because the repeated use of acid fertilizers may result in a turf condition more undesirable than the presence of Goose Grass we are in- clined this control method. However, it is well to note that the weed most in Its growth, therefore, is an poor soils. indication that the ground should be enriched and the grass fed on a well balanced complete fertilizer. frequently appears to advise against Plantain Killer MR. FRED NESSLY, clear out in Seattle, reads L A WN C A RE and sends this suggestion for putting Plan- tain out of business: "I dip a sharpened hardwood stick into sulphuric acid and thrust it into the center of the plantain. It kills the roots immediately and does not injure the grass. Several weeds may be killed before it is necessary to dip it again." Thank you, Mr. Nessly.