51 



In another instance spraying with the power sprayer was started 

 on what promised to be a clear day. However, just as the job was 

 finished it began to rain, and some rain fell during the evening of 

 that day. The next day was again clear. It was noted that fol- 

 lowing this spraying the grass was badly blackened, and in some 

 places quite severely injured. The foliage of narrow-leaved plantain 

 and chickweed was almost completely killed by this application. 



Our experience, then, teaches that during the greater part of the 

 growing season when dandelions and grass are making a rapid growth, 

 as in spring and fall, it is advisable to select, as a suitable time for 

 spraying, a bright, clear, sunshiny day when there is but little wind 

 and slight probability of rain for several hours. Also, that lawns 

 should not be sprayed during periods of dry weather in mid-summer 

 when the soil is dry and the lawn grasses are inactive. It seems 

 certain that drenching of the turf with the spray solution should not 

 be permitted at any time. 



CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 

 OUTLINE OF LAWN TREATMENT. 



Eternal vigilance is the price of a good lawn free from weeds. The 

 proper tim^e to commence the fight against weeds is when the lawn 

 is first made. Care should be taken to secure a thick, thrifty growth 

 of grass at the start. Attempts to establish lawns on poor soil illy- 

 prepared usually fail. After the lawn is established constant care 

 is necessary to maintain it in a thrifty condition which will serve as 

 a protection against weeds. 



The measures most frequently used for the eradication of weeds 

 from lawns are : (a) digging them out with a knife or spud ; (b) heavy 

 reseeding and fertilization to crowd them out; and (c) the use of 

 chemical sprays to kill the foliage. The last-named method is the 

 cheapest and as effective as any; but complete success requires the 

 use of all three methods and some others. 



The dandelion and certain other weeds may be eradicated from 

 lawns, without injury to the grass, by proper spraying with iron sul- 

 fate solution. However, the weeds will soon return unless supple- 

 mentary measures are employed. Unfortunately, there is no escape 

 from the menace of dandelions seeding on adjacent grounds, because 

 one has no control over the premises of his neighbors. Neverthe- 



