LAWNS AND GRASS PLOTS 17 



out the whole of the tap root, salt should be sprinkled 

 on the cut surfaces to prevent fresh growth. In 

 careful hands, the larger weeds may be eradicated by 

 piercing a wooden skewer, dipped in strong carbolic 

 acid, through the centres of the plants. However, it 

 does not do to give such powerful fluids into the hands 

 of careless folk, who would probably ruin their clothes, 

 if no worse. 



The so-called fairy rings are sometimes troublesome 

 and unsightly, and one is frequently asked for a remedy. 

 The rings of dark-coloured grass are caused by an 

 excess of nitrogenous matter in the soil, consequent on 

 the decay of certain small fungi. To obtain food sup- 

 phes the latter are obliged to break fresh ground each 

 season, so that the original spot becomes an ever-widening 

 circle. Whilst little can be done in the way of im- 

 mediate cure, it is probable that the occurrence of 

 "rings" points to poverty or unhealthiness of the lawn. 

 The use of manure, either in the form of one of the 

 regular lawn fertilisers or a dressing of wood ashes, will 

 usually improve matters, and in any case tend to make 

 the rings less conspicuous. 



