P U B L I S H ED IN F E B R U A R Y, M A R C H, A P R I L, A U G U ST A ND S E P T E M B ER BY O. M. S C O TT & S O NS C O ., M A R Y S V I L L E, O H IO September 1932 F I F TH Y E AR Number 22 GOOSEGRASS Other Names—Silver Crabgrass, Wire Grass, Crowfoot 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. Europe where Goosegrass was traced at 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. Resembles Crabgrass India was the birthplace of Goose- grass, the lawn weed presented in this issue. Probably one hundred and fifty Goosegrass is similar to Crabgrass in that it does not start growth until hot weather and it is killed by the first frost. GOOSEGRASS (Eleusine Indica) If one examines Goosegrass carefully years ago this weed came to our shores. It may have come directly from India or there will be no danger of confusing it perhaps simultaneously from southern with Crabgrass, but because of the simi- C O P Y R I G H T, 1 9 3 2, BY O. M. SCOTT & SONS CO. larly formed seed heads the two are sometimes mistaken for each other. The finger-like spikelets are the points of similarity. Crabgrass, however, is much finer and has a different habit of growth. Goosegrass grows from clus- tered the clumps six inches to two feet long are flattened and dull green. From the base there are usually several branches. The sheaths are loose and overlapping, compressed, smooth but hairy at the throat. fibrous roots, The weed is an annual and seeds be- tween July and October depending upon the climate. Spikes vary from two to eight (a great many with three) and are borne in finger-like projections at the tips of the stalks. The seeds are black and wrinkled. The spikelets are from one to three inches long (shorter than Crabgrass seed heads) and rather flat, whereas Crabgrass spikelets are more rounded. Soils Where Found In certain countries Goosegrass has been somewhat improved and culti- vated to the extent that the seeds have been used in making a rather inferior quality of flour. The fact that it is usu- ally found in poor soils has associated Goosegrass with poor and primitive people. It maintains that complex by thriving in this country in lawns where the soil is poor and unproductive. How Distributed The seeds of Goosegrass are fre- quently found in manure. The use of manure on lawns is almost certain to be followed by the appearance of Goose- grass, Crabgrass and Buckhorn. These weeds have probably flourished in the fields on which the animals have been pastured. The seeds of Goosegrass 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 oil can will kill it without defacing the smoothness of the turf. No damage will be done the surround- ing grass because of the small amount of acid used. The acid treatments rec- ommended for Buckhorn may also be employed. Goosegrass has a very tough, fibrous root so hand pulling is quite a laborious task. As Goosegrass, like Crabgrass, is an annual it can be eliminated from a lawn eventually by preventing the produc- tion of seeds. This is accomplished by pulling out the young plants in June or July before the seed heads have formed or, in a large lawn, by raking over the infested area to pull up the prostrate and mat-forming stems so they will be cut by the lawn mower. In such cases the clippings should be caught and de- stroyed to prevent scattering the seeds over the lawn. It is well to note that the weed most Its frequently appears in poor soils. presence, therefore, is an indication that the ground should be enriched and the grass fed on a well-balanced, complete fertilizer. Husking Pins Win Weeding Honors "I greatly appreciate your Lawn Care. Do you know that an old-fashioned curved husking pin is the finest weed- ing tool in the world? Seedling weeds, especially, simply can't resist it. Mine cost 15c."—Casper Schenk, Des Moines, Iowa. O. M. SCOTT a SONS CO. MAR YS V I L LE • • O H IO EVERY PACKAGE OF SCOTTS LAWN SEED BEARS THIS TRADE-MARK AND IS SEALED FOR YOUR PROTECTION A C. A 22 a