64 The Horticulturist's Rule- Book. 



Weeds on Walks, continued. 



OIL OF VITRIOL. i part oil of vitriol (sulphuric acid) to 

 30 parts of water Apply with a watering-pol Choose 

 a clear evening after a hot day. Keep clear of 'the edgings. 

 The pot should be well painted, or a wooden pail should 

 be used. 



ARSENITE OF SODA. Place i Ib of powdered arsenic 

 in 3 gals, of cold water, boil and keep stirring : then add 7 

 gals, of cold water and 2 Ibs. of crushed soda ; stir well 

 while boiling. Apply in dry weather. 



CARBOLIC ACID. i oz of carbolic acid to i gal of water 

 sprinkled over the path from a common watering-pot 

 Will also destroy ants. 



COAL-TAR COATING Mix coal-tar with gravel to the con- 

 sistency of mortar ; spread over the path i to 2 in. thick ; 

 cover this with gravel, then roll and add another thin coat- 

 ing of gravel to finish 



4. Moss on Walks and Lawns. In damp and shady places, 

 and also in sterile places, moss may appear on walks and 

 lawns. If the conditions cannot be improved, the follow- 

 ing treatments may be tried : 



i Ib. oil of vitriol (sulphuric acid) to 10 qts. of water. 

 Wet the surface thoroughly, being careful not to sprinkle 

 edgings or good sod. 



In early spring, while the ground is soft, with a long 

 toothed rake, work it backwards and forwards, in order to 

 bring the moss to the surface. Clear away the moss and 

 leave the ground' untouched for a fortnight. Early in 

 March repeat the operation, and about the middle of that 

 month apply a dressing of rich compost, which may con- 

 sist of any old rubbish well decomposed, adding y& of fresh 

 lime. Mix with compost a few days before using. Cover 

 the ground with the compost at the rate of 200 barrow- 

 loads per acre, passing it through a ^-in. sieve, to save 

 the trouble of rolling Rake it evenly over the suface 

 with a wooden rake, and when dry seed down. An English 

 method. 



