34 THE GARDEN BEAUTIFUL 



mowing, and many will be killed thereby. The re- 

 mainder can endure but to the end of summer when 

 death naturally ensues. Dandelions are a most seri- 

 ous pest in many lawns, and there seems to be no 

 better means of eradication than cutting off each 

 plant a couple of inches below the surface with an 

 old table knife sharpened to a square on the end. 

 Some control has been attained through spraying 

 with iron sulphate or copper sprays, but this method 

 is neither necessary nor feasible except on acreage. 



Chickweed, sorrel, and many other nearly pros- 

 trate or lowly plants are at times serious pests and 

 yield readily to no treatment except pulling by hand. 

 Like moss they thrive best in somewhat shaded loca- 

 tions and prefer soils more or less acid. A liberal 

 application of air-slaked lime or wood ashes will 

 often aid in ridding the lawn of these pests and also 

 prove of benefit to grasses. 



To return to fertilization, do not perform this work 

 in autumn, as grass grows but little in cold weather 

 and calls for no food, and if the temperature is low 

 none is available except through use of nitrate of 

 soda. Nearly all plant food is washed away by winter 

 rains, either off the land or down into the soil beyond 

 reach of grass roots. March is early enough for such 

 work in California; the heavier "carrying-off" rains 

 have then ceased, and the grass starts into active 

 growth, thereby indicating the need of food which it 

 could not use while lying dormant. 



