IN CALIFORNIA 33 



WEEDS AND FERTILIZERS 



Of all weeds that infest the lawn no other is so 

 hard to control or eradicate as Bermuda grass, often 

 given such uncomplimentary names as "devil grass," 

 "witch grass," etc. After once becoming established 

 it cannot be got rid of except through making a new 

 lawn and very carefully removing every little piece 

 of the grass, but there are easy methods of control. 



With a steel rake go over the lawn in late autumn 

 and drag forth the offending grass. All that is torn 

 up and not removed by raking may be cut off with a 

 mower. When you have repeated this performance 

 until it ceases to be a pleasure, sow some clover 

 seed, water it well and retire until spring. The Ber- 

 muda grass, being native to the tropics, will scarcely 

 grow at all during winter, and it will be late in sum- 

 mer before it is again noticeable, for its growth is 

 prostrate and will be somewhat enfeebled through 

 smothering under the rank, thick growth of clover. 

 You may repeat this method of control each year if 

 so desired, but once in three years will suffice to pre- 

 serve a neat appearance and effectively control the 

 Bermuda grass. 



Seeds of this grass are often introduced through 

 use of manures from low-lying dairy districts, either 

 by spading in when lawnmaking or in top dressing 

 thereafter. Bermuda grass infests lowlands, espe- 

 cially rich bottom lands along streams "where kine 

 are wont to graze." It is therefore better to use only 

 well-rotted manure or have it wetted thoroughly and 

 turned over every day or two until weed seeds have 

 been burned out or started into active growth. It 

 may be best to depend upon commercial fertilizers, 

 and every dealer handles one or more brands spe- 

 cially prepared for lawn use. 



Annual weeds may be controlled by frequent 



