The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1911-07-15
Unusually Luxuriant Crop Of
Weed This Spring.
No Safe Remedy, Say Experts, Eek
eept to Get Down and Dig Them
Out by RootsB Big Damage 10
Seen In New Jersey.

Chicago andelions are getting a
gtraSg1es hold upon Chieago's lawns
this year.
While other cities are estimating in
six figures the loss caused by the con-
den1ned yellow blossoms, Chicago gar
deners are looking with disgust upon
one of the most luxuriant crops of
the big-leaved weeds that the lawns
upon which they sowed grass ever
bore. The late spring. followed by
the unusual hot weather, seem to
have been Just what the dandelions
have been waiting for to show what
they can do In the way of rapid
growth, and some of them have al
most leaped out OF the ground in their
eagerness to mount skyward
In some Of the parks, In places
whore much tramping has weakened
the more delicate grass, a second crop
of dandelions is blooming in the
spaces left by the first. The earlier
crop Is now going to seed, and for
large areas the grass is almost invis
ible. The leaves Of many of the
plants have been lifted clear Of the
ground by the rapidity of growth.
Other cities are watching the dande-
Hon crop with even more concern
than In Chicago. Gardeners In East
Orange, N. j., estimate that damage
approximating 100000 has been done
the lawns In that section within the
i last fortnight.
In other of the eastern states where
much pride Is taken in the appearance
OF the lawns the dandelions have Sc
cured an equally strong start The
belief is stated by some Of the natur-
alists that some natural enemy Of the
dandelion which has kept 1t more
within bounds in former years has
been absent this season.
That continued activity with the
lawn mower and careful fertilization
Of lawns are safer preventives of the
dandelion pest than any chemical
preparations was the advice given by
several Chicago gardening experts In
speaking OF means Of dealing with
them.
Like many antidotes for poison,
their main objection is that they kill
the patient as well as Kidding him of
the trouble, they declare. Sulphate Of
iron, which is recommended as sure
death to dandelions, is almost. If not
quite, as hard on the grass.
.Dandelions are beautiful early in
May, but for the rest of the year they
are ugly, and therefore We have to
keep them out" said Jens Jensen. In
speaking Of this years crop.
1.-THE only way to deal with them in
large areas is to keep the grass close
cut and In healthy condition, SO that
there won't be any bare spots for the
seed to get through to the ground and
sprout.
II you keep their heads cut OF be-
fore they have chance to go to seed
you prevent them from spreading.
don't know of any preparation that
doesn't do too much harm to the vege-
tation you want to save to be safely
used In killing them. OF course, II
you have a small lawn, the best thing
is to get down on your knees and dig
them out by the roots,
o. G. simonds. landscape gardener
for the Lincoln park commission, was
OF much the same opinion.
'.Dandelons are pretty difficult to.
cope with, and there certainly are a
lot OF them this year. he said. Sui |
phate of iron Is recommended by j