232 WEEDS 



are just forming. Two or more years are required for eradication. 

 (R. I. Sta.). 



Black mustard (Brassica nigra) and wild mustard (B. arvensis). 

 Annual. Spray with iron sulfate, 50 gallons to acre, using 75 to 100 

 pounds of iron sulfate, depending on whether the plants are tender and 

 succulent or more mature and hardy. 



Orange hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum), chickweed (Stellaria 

 media), and some other of the shallow-rooted succulent weeds of lawns 

 and grass lands can be combated effectively by the use of salt, more so 

 than by any other chemical. Fine, dry salt should be applied on a bright, 

 hot summer day (late June or early July best), broadcasting it so as to 

 cover all plants uniformly, since it kills chiefly by drawing water from 

 the leaves. One to four quarts of salt can be used per square rod, with 

 little or no permanent injury to the grass if on a strong soil in the north- 

 eastern states. Since the effect varies with local conditions, advance 

 trials should be made on small scale. Following the application, 

 the dead weeds should be raked out and a liberal application of grass- 

 seed made. 



Weeds in lawns. Lawns 



Weeds usually come up thickly in newly sown lawns. They are to 

 be prevented by the use of commercial fertilizers or very clean manure 

 and clean grass-seed. Clean June-grass, or blue-grass, seed is usually 

 best. Grass-seed should be sown very thick 3 to 5 bushels to 

 the acre and annual weeds cannot persist long. Frequent mowings 

 during summer will keep these weeds down, and most species will not 

 survive the winter. In old lawns most perennial weeds can be kept 

 down by frequent mowings, with a good lawn-mower. Grass can 

 stand more cutting than weeds. If mowing cannot be practiced often 

 enough for this purpose, the weeds may be cut off below the surface 

 with a long knife or spud, and the crowns are then readily pulled out. 

 Or a little sulfuric acid or other herbicide may be poured on the crown 

 of each plant. 



It will usually be found that weedy lawns are those in which the sod is 

 poor and thin. The fundamental remedy, therefore, is to secure a strong 

 sod. This is done by raking or harrowing over the lawn in late spring, 

 when it is somewhat soft, and sowing a liberal dressing of chemical 



