Evening star., 1935-05-08

ment may follow our plan Of persis-
tently prosecuting weeds in the lawn.
If they are harried without let-up,
they will end by being SO weakened,
especially as to numbers, that they
will cease to be much Of a nuisance.
This goes for crab grass and dande-
lions. None Of them will be COM
pletely eradicated, but their growth
will be cut down to the point when
all except the most finicky lawn cul-
tivators will be able to tolerate them
without growing blue In the face.
While cultivating lawn, one might
as well cultivate the mind, to some
extent.
Weeds are good for thati
No one ought to despise weeds, for
they are plants as well as any.
No one ought to mind them too
much, because they are simply fine
examples of Natures persistence.
II we cannot find cause to admire
them in our lawns, as ground covers,
let us realize, as placidly as we NAV,
that Nature never intended them. or
even grass plants, for our particular
purposes, but for her particular ends.
This is the beginning, as well as the
end, Of the sublime thought, Not
my will, but Thine, be DONE"
A little persistence, in keeping after
the weeds, whatever they may be, and
in time they will become q veritable
part of the lawn, but not too great
part.
One of the worst things that can
happen to the home gardener Is to
get eed-obsesSed.
The best way to get this load of
the mind Is to become interested in.
and to study. to some extent, the
wildfowerS.
Many of these have such intriguing
common names, so filled with the lore
and magic of the centuries, and of
all the races OF mankind, that merely
naming them over is almost equivalent
to taking a trip around the world.
One of the advantages of not hav-
ing too big a place Is that more or less
minute care may be given to it, where
as larger plot makes demands which
really entail the constant effort Of
several persons on a long daily
schedule.
The methods Of weed determination
advocated here, therefore, are only
applicable to comparatively small
home grounds. We would not think
they could be put into effect on any
larger plot than 100 by 200 feet, or
the equivalent.
Up to that size the thing is feasible.
Most of the smaller weeds which
strive to maintain a footing In our
lawns die down by the middle of May,
or by June at the latest
1t is important. however, to dispose
of as many of their seeds as possible.
Hence the dandelion flowers should be
cut off before they turn white. These
puff balls" one Of the wonders of
Nature. right in our own yards, can
come into being overnight. 1t is said
that dandelion seeds carried hundreds
of miles by sea water will dry out and
germinate as we'll as any.
The Sprawling basal leaves of dan
delion plants should be kept pulled
of clean with the ground. Do nos
bother with the tap root. If the leaves
are kept pulled of the tap root must
ultimately expire.
AS to crab grass. with its long run
ners. it is admittedly problem. There
is more work than sense in attempt
ing to dig 1t out. If the runners are
kept ripped out as much as possible
and fresh grass seed planted wher-
ever feasible it may be kept under
control, if not eliminated.
In making sowings of grass from
time to time, always use seed as fresh
as possible. Grass seed kept from one
season to the next is likely to have a
very poor termination count, as many
of us have found out to our dis
CONT