Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-30
DOSE THAT KILLS DANDELTON
Iron Sulphate or Copperas Solution
Said to Be Effective.
PROF. R. W. FISHER THE AUTHOR
Government HO%rticulturist Says Spray
Lawns and Blue Grass and
White Clover Will Not
Be Injured.

If the method recommended by Prof. r.
W. Fisher, ho%rticulturist, at one of the
western experiment stations of the govern
ment, does all that the professor says 1t
will do, the yards of Omaha will be free
from dandelions. The necessity Of getting
up a 5 a. m. to dig them out at the roots or
of giving dandelion parties and inviting
friends to help dig will no longer annoy
the owners of fine yards.
Prof. Fisher has published the prescrip-
ton and circular letters have been sent to
many OF those who nave made inquiries
and stated that they did not like butter
not growing in the yard, anyway. Here is
the cure for the pest:
Iron >sulphate or copperas as a spray
solution for the eradication of dandelions
lions in the United States with more or
less success. When the spray solution is
properly made and applied the dandelions
can be killed without injury to blue grass
the white clover may be spotted a little by
the iron suiphate solution-rarely enough,
however, to disfigure a lawn; BY keeping
the lawn closely cut and well watered the
clover and blue grass will rapidly recover
from any injury which might result from
the spraying.
An automatic spray pump, Of which
there are several makes, will give the best
results. A pump manufactured by Brandt
Bros, Chicago, Mimi, has been found very
convenient in experiments made at this
station and is we'll adapted to lawn spray
ing. The nozzle should be such that a fine
mist can be made, because II large drops
of the spray solution fall on the leaves
they will run off and no injury to the dan
delion leaves will result. When spraying
with an automatic spray or hand pump
high pressure should be kept at all times,
as only then will a fines spray must be
thrown.
one good spray pump will be sufficient
for several lawns, as II takes only a short
time TO spray a lawn; The spray solution
cannot be successfully applied with a
sprinkling can, as the large drops will not
stay on the leaves, Spraying should be
ing, when the grass is dry; and still have
the roots In the soil moist enough so the
lawn can go a day OF two without water,
chance to do its work. If water is applied
too soon after spraying the iron suplhate
will be washed off and no results will
follow.
II each city In the state would start a
force of men spraying vacant lots and
roadsides, and each person owning a lawn,
the dandelion pest, which has given so
much trouble In the past, could within one
or two seasons be almost stamped out In
our cities.
out good results will follow:
Procure a good spray pump, one that
holds about three gallons and can be car
Spray when the leaves are dry and can
be kept dry for several hours after spray
ing.
Spray with a fine mist, which can be
done Sniy with a good nozzle under high
pressure.
Use iron sulphate at the rate OF one and
a half to two pounds per gallon.
Do not let the solution stand more than
three or four hours after mixing.
Strain the solution through a fine sieve
or cloth into the spray can 30 that no ma
terial will get into the pump to clog II up.
Spray about every six weeks, or whenever
the dandelions start into growth.
Keep the lawn grass well watered so that
the grass can overcome by vigorous growth
any damage resulting from the spray solu-
ton.
Do not spray more than It necessary to
kill the dandelions.
Further information in regard TO lawn
spraying can be secured by writing the
horticultural department of the experiment
station at Bozeman.