38 EXrEKIMEXT STATION. [Jan. 



often shown in their distribution on hiwns. In winter their 

 seed s])ikes are often found protruding above the snow, and 

 when the snow has a erust the seeds are easily carried long dis- 

 tances, and (tften hmd at certain i)oints corresponding with 

 the action of the wind. 



]\Iany other weeds, when cut below the surface, will not re- 

 new tluMr growth. The device shown in Eig. 2 consists of an 

 asparagus cutter inserted into a handle, and is a cheap, practi- 

 cal and easily used tool for cutting roots below the surface. 



Erequent applications of fertilizer to lawns is of some service 

 in exterminating weeds. For this reason we have devised a 

 lawn fertilizer spreader,^ consisting of a holder mounted on rub- 

 ])cr-tired wheels, with an opening ^ of an inch in width which 

 can easily be opened or closed while operating the machine 

 (Fig. 3). The spreader is provided with a revolving cylinder 

 which keeps the fertilizer pulverized and in motion. This de- 

 vice was designed to improve upon the clumsier method of hand 

 spreading, and it will spread the fertilizer so evenly and 

 thoroughly that every root can be reached. "With its use more 

 fertilizer may be required to completely cover the lawn, but a 

 great deal is gained by the thorough application and even dis- 

 tribution. It is not designed to spread coarse manure, but may 

 be used with pulverized sheep and cow manure and commercial 

 fertilizers. 



Besides using pulverized sheep or cow manure in the spring 

 or fall, wood ashes, nitrate of soda, sulfate or muriate of potash 

 may be ap]ilied. We have found it well to fertilize in late 

 summer when the grass is losing its vigor, which keeps it grow- 

 ing and in good condition up to the end of the season, and also 

 helps greatly to crowd out undcsiral)le fall weeds. 



Weed Seeds in Sheep Manure. 



Pulverized sheep and cow manure, while excellent for lawns 

 on account of the large amount of organic matter which they 

 contain, do, like other manures, possess a disadvantage in the 

 undesirable weed seeds often found in them. Most of the pul- 

 verized manures come from the Chicago stock yards, and west- 



> In tho (lesion and construction of this spreader the writer is indebted to M. E. A. Thompson 

 of Anilicrst, whose ingenuity and skill are highly appreciated. 



