THE THREE LEADING FORAGE GRASSES 65 



and good for "the sheep. The grazing, tramping and the 

 deposit of manure are all a benefit to the lawn. 



If barnyard manure is not available, artificial fertilizer 

 should be added when necessary to keep up the fertility 

 of the soil. Bone meal, woodashes, and various pre- 

 pared complete fertilizers can be used. 



Lawn Weeds 



Under favorable conditions of soil, climate and treat- 

 ment a bluegrass lawn should hold its own against weeds. 

 But if conditions are not of the best, a lawn becomes 

 contaminated with weeds. These impair the appearance 

 of the lawn in two ways. The uniformity of texture and 

 color is destroyed, and, in the case of annual weeds that 

 die off in summer and fall, unsightly bare spots are 

 developed. Certain annual weeds may gain a foothold 

 in small open spaces between the tufts of bluegrass and 

 gradually crowd out the latter. These interlopers are 

 not noticed at first but their presence is evident later, 

 especially in the latter part of the season when they turn 

 brown and finally shrivel and die. Weeds should be 

 removed as thoroughly as possible or they will gain the 

 upper hand. The commonest of the annual weeds in 

 the region where bluegrass is grown are crab grass and 

 annual bluegrass. Crab grass soon makes its presence 

 known by the purplish color of the foliage. Annual 

 bluegrass is more deceiving because in its early stages 

 it is a pleasing green but lighter in color than the blue- 

 grass. 



Perennial weeds are more difficult to eradicate. Some 

 of the troublesome perennials in the region under con- 



