*********************** DISEASES ************************ Lawns that are carefully and regularly maintained are largely resistant to bugs and diseases, but sometimes even the most conscientious gardener will find his or her lawn under a fierce attack of Japanese beetle or Algae. The following are just a few of the more common prob- lems and suggested remedies. However, if you find your- self fighting a losing battle, don't hesitate to call in professional help. A quick and accurate survey of the problem may save you the expense and labor of making a new lawn. Your first friend in need is usually the local garden nursery, but don't overlook your city Streets and Parks Department, a local garden club, gardening magazine advice columns, your local library, and when all else fails, especially if you find your neighbors are suffering a similar problem, the U.S. Government Agriculture Depart- ment. Small sandy mounds ---Ants Try Diazinon or Chlorpyrifos. Patches of the lawn are brown and discolored. Chinch Bugs. Try ASP-51 or Diazinon, dust or spray. Roots chewed from grasses --- Larvae of Chafers, Japanese and June beetles. Dust or spray with bendiocarb or trichlorfon. Holes in leaves --- Cutworms or Sod Webworms. Spray with Diazinon or methoxychlor. Tunnels under the surface --- Moles. Use a mole trap or gas pellets in the tunnel. Greasy, jelly-like substance on the leaves. ---Algae or litchens. Use Copper Sulfate or Iron Sulphate in quantities and dilutions recommended by the supplier. Fairy rings. These dark green circles are the precursor of a ring of small mushrooms. Copper Sulphate or limestone dust is usually effective. Powdery Mildew. This shows up as a white deposit on leaves in mid-summer. Spray with cycloheximide or one of the proprietry brands of mildew spray. See also plant foes and diseases. END ...........
