126 CALIFORNIA GARDEN FLOWERS 



by using a steel table fork, thrusting it into the sod and lifting somewhat 

 so that the root of the oxalis becomes loosened, and then it can be taken 

 out in considerable bunches. Cutting or picking off the top leaves, of course, 

 accomplishes nothing. The use of the fork accomplishes a more complete 

 rooting out than is possible by finger-pulling. The process has, however, 

 to be repeated several times, and one has to be always on the watch for it. 



Moss in Lawns. 'Moss is a common intruder upon shady lawns 

 and the admission of more sunlight would discourage it. If this is not 

 feasible, irrigation less frequently, but a more thorough soaking each time, 

 will give the surface a better chance to dry off, and moss will not grow on 

 a dry surface. The frequent spraying of a lawn with just enough water 

 to keep the surface moist and not enough water to penetrate deeply will 

 tend to the growing of moss and to less vigor in the growth of the grass, 

 A good soaking of the soil once a week is better than daily sprinkling, 

 but of course very much more water must be used when you only sprinkle 

 at long intervals. 



Brown Spots in Lawn, It is not possible to tell what causes all 

 the brown spots in lawns. We have seen instances we could not explain, 

 and others which were plainly due to different causes. Whatever kills 

 grass makes such a spot and we have found it caused sometimes by white 

 grubs, sometimes by the voidings of dogs, sometimes to excess of lime 

 from the presence of a mortar box during building, where subsequently a 

 lawn was made, sometimes to rise of alkali in spots where the soil con- 

 tained that substance. 



A case was recently reported from Santa Clara county in which there 

 first appeared a round, dead yellow spot. This spot increased, finally re- 

 covering somewhat in the center. The dead yellow part becomes a yellow- 

 like circumference of a large circle. Such an instance is interesting be- 

 cause it seems to indicate the formation of a "fairy ring," which is noted 

 in the pastures and meadows at the east and abroad. This is due to the 

 start and progress of a fungus, Marasmius oreades. In course of its 

 attack the center revives and the ring keeps expanding as described, but 

 we are not aware that this fungus has been determined in this State. 



As for treatment, the handling of dead spots of all kinds would be 

 similar. Cut out a part of the sod somewhat larger than the spot, remove 

 the earth to a spade's depth, fill in with fresh earth mixed with a reason- 

 able amount of fertilizer, resow the spot or fill it with pieces of sod which 

 can be spared from the edge of the lawn, and bring it along by frequent 

 watering, cutting, etc., to a normal condition. 



WORMS AND SNAILS IN LAWNS. 



Occasionally a lawn space becomes infested with angle worms, and 

 complaint made that their "castings" have been made all over the ground 

 until the grass is nearly all killed out. This is due to excessive use of 



