

86 THE COMPLETE GARDEN " 



through the globules or film of moisture upon them. Do not hasten to 

 sprinkle a lawn at the first approach of warm weather as this will dis- 

 courage the tendency of the grass roots to go deeper in search of the 

 ground water. If the lawn shows signs later in the season of being in 

 distress, give it a thorough soaking. An effective watering should soak 

 the ground to a depth of five or six inches. 



Rolling and Weeding Lawns. Rolling of lawns is not resorted to 

 nearly as much as formerly. Probably one good, thorough rolling in 

 the early spring is beneficial, especially on clay land which may have 

 heaved in spots during the winter. Except for this, rolling is of doubt- 

 ful value, especially because during dry weather it causes loss of 

 moisture through transpiration. Weeds in the lawn indicate that the 

 grass is not properly cared for or has been carelessly seeded. Weeds 

 may appear in a new lawn, especially if manure has been used in the 

 preparation. It is not necessary to pull out the annuals, for if the turf 

 is cut they will not seed themselves. Remove only the perennials, such 

 as burdock and plantain. Tread on the holes thus left and fill them 

 with compost and seed. It is better to weed in the fall, as in the 

 spring crab grass is apt to get into bare spots. Perennial weeds should 

 be cut out with a knife, securing as much of the roots as possible; or 

 a drop or two of gasoline will generally kill the plants. Moss and 

 sorrel in a lawn indicate a sour soil needing liberal applications of air- 

 slaked lime. Crab grass causes considerable trouble if once established 

 and care should be taken to remove all portions of the roots. 



Enemies to Lawns. Weeds are the most important enemies to 

 lawns. The best way to eradicate weeds in a lawn that is otherwise 

 worth saving is to dig them out, fill the holes with good topsoil, and sow 

 fresh seed. Spraying with chemicals and patent remedies has never 

 proved effective. Angle worms or fishworms may be destroyed by the 

 following spray: Dissolve in two gallons of boiling water one pound of 

 common salt and add one pound of corrosive sublimate. Dilute the 

 above with four gallons of water to make a stock solution. One pint 

 of the stock solution should be added to sixteen gallons of water and 

 sprayed over the lawn. Army worms may be destroyed while young by 

 a spray made by dissolving three pounds of arsenate of lead in fifty 

 gallons of water. This should be sprayed over the lawn until it is 

 white. While white grubs are among the grass roots in late July in 



