NEWS OF SCIENCE FROM THE
CONNECTICUT AGRICULTURAL
EXPERIMENT STATION

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NEW HAVEN — The Connecticut
Agricultural Experiment Station, the
first in the nation, is celebrating its
centennial this year.
The Station, designated a National
Histroric Landmark in 1964, was the
prototype of a national network of re­
search institutions founded in every
state as a result of the passage by Con­
gress of The Hatch Act in 1887.
Nationally, experiment stations have
developed antibiotic drugs such as
Streptomycin and Neomycin (New Je r­
sey ). They introduced new crops such
as soybeans (Massachusetts, North Ca­
rolina, K ansas), produced several new
apple varieties (New Y o rk ), and pio­
neered in natural control of insect pests
(C alifornia).
The president of Oregon State Ag­
ricultural College once said experiment
station research had changed deserts
into gardens, evolved new and more
profitable crops, multiplied production,
created new industries, conquered disease, destroyed pests and plagues and
made science the handmaiden of the
housewife as well as the captain of industry.”
Because Connecticut established the
first station in 1875, other experiment
stations are observing the centennial as
well. The USDA Yearbook of Agriculture, which will be issued late in
the year, will be devoted entirely to the
achievements of experimnt station re­
search.
The greatest achievement of Connec­
ticut station scientists probably was the
development by Donald F. Jones of a
way to produce hybrid com seed by
the double-cross method.
This made the significantly higher
yielding hybrid corn practical and
Continued on Page 2

GRASS CATCHER

ONE STORMY, DISMAL DAY

by B ob Osterman
April is here once again. We all are
watching our greens and trying to make
the big decision as to when we will
start mowing, and kick off the 1975
season.
Most conferences and vacations are
behind us and it’s time to settle down
to a regular schedule again.
Speaking of conferences, the Conn.
Assoc, was once again well represented
in New Orleans. There were various
opinions on the town of New Orleans,
but most everyone I talked to enjoyed
the conference itself. Another job well
done by our national organization.
I hope we all have another good sea­
son, and I am looking forward to visit­
ing the courses we have scheduled for
our 1975 monthly meetings.

The March Snow has woven the Road
into an icy bale —
Along the ever-winding bend of the
glistening rail —
As the Wheels point skyward against
a stubborn glare —
in a surging whirl to reach the Barn
— on a prayer.
The Shelter, hollow — nary a trifling
whisper —
Its cold stillness scaling a dispirited
ring —
Welcoming even the missing Dog’s eerie
whimper —
This day; — or any Bird’s flapping
wing —
To awaken the ghostly silence in the
wind.
Only the sounding of Tinselled-Snow
pelting the Barn’s shingle remain —
ownward, filling-in the tire-track-design,
now erased and un-stained.
Lingering, (Salesman) in a seemingly
captive mood —
Eyeing the Slanted-Calendar’s date
which delude the nearing Spring —
Glued now at the wall-lined BosomyGirls in the luscious nude —
Nearby, multi-armed machinery, some
Octopus-like, in quiet repose.
To find the “Super” toiling on 135
Acres of grass is not a stone’s fling —
But lost today is the friendly chat to
enjoy in a warmly renewing sling.
Drenched, the Car ignited tardily,
blackening the snow-covered flakes —
Skidding, drunken-like, — squealing
from a cautious brake —
Setting new Snow-Patterns into the
lathered ageless clay —
Viewing acres of Wintered-Fairways
along the way —
In an effort to reach the “Super,” under
an unfriendly sky — turned Grey.
F rank P aladin o

Harry Meusel would once again like
to announce anyone wishing to see the
floral display at the Yale Golf Course,
should come the second and third week
in April. You can play as Harry’s guest
and view over 200,000 Daffodil’s.
Harry takes great pride in this dis­
play, and having seen it I can well
understand why.

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Smith Turf Irrigation Inc. of Mil­
ford, Conn., also doing business as Ir­
rigation and Equipment Supply, has
changed its name to I & E Supply, Inc.
according to its president, Richard W.
Smith.
I & E Supply, Inc. has also recently
moved to larger quarters at their for­
mer location, 66 Erna Ave.
The name change and larger quarters
shall facilitate the firm’s move into the
role of a more complete irrigation and
industrial supply house — specializing
in sprinkler irrigation equipment, in­
dustrial pipe, valver, fittings, industrial
Continued on Page 3

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CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION
OF GOLF COURSE
SUPERINTENDENTS
P resident ...................... Frank Lamphier
V ice P resident .................. Robert Tosh
S ecretary ......................... Bob Osterman
T reasurer .................. James MacDonald
B oard o f D irectors
Robert Silva
Ronald Holcomb
Alfred Bachand
Karnig Ovian
Robert Chalifour
Edward Anderson
Richard Hoskings, A ssociate D irector
Robert Viera, Im m ediate Past President
The object of this association is to
promote research, education and an ex­
change of practical experiences in the
field of turf grass culture so that the
increased knowledge will lead to more
economic and efficient management of
golf courses and related turf areas.
The CONN. CLIPPINGS is an offi­
cial publication of the Connecticut As­
sociation of Golf Course Superinten­
dents.
Robert W. Osterman, Editor
937 Black Rock Turnpike
Easton, Conn. 06612

CONN. EXPERIMENT STATION
Continued from Page 1

helped to double the yield of the crop
that feeds animals which provide us
with milk, beef, and pork.
Around the turn of the century,
Thomas B. Osborne of the Station staff
established that the proteins of seeds
were different both in composition and
in nutritional value. Later, working
with Lafayette Mendel of Yale, Osborne
found that certain amino acids, the
building blocks of proteins, had to be
supplied in the diet.
They also found that butter contained
materials necessary for normal growth,
but their report of the discovery of
Vitamin A was submitted to a journal
three weeks after investigators in Wis­
consin reached a similar conclusion
based on independent work. Because of
this, the Wisconsin and Connecticut
Experiment Stations share the honor
of the discovery of the first vitamin.
The widely acclaimed high lysine
com had its origin at the Connecticut
Station. A farmer from Hazardville
sent the corn to Jones during the 1920s
for preservation. A researcher who
grew up in Orange brought some of
this corn to the Indiana Experiment
Station and found during the 1960s
that this same corn could prevent a
protein deficiency disease of children
who eat corn as their only source of
protein as is the case in much of Latin
America.
Station scientists also pioneered in
developing new methods to find com­

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pounds to control plant diseases, and
developed the first organic fungicide
during the 1940s.
In recent years, Experiment Station
scientists have shown that activated
carbon could be used o blot up un­
wanted pesticides and herbicides; that
significant amounts of water could be
preserved in plants by control of pores
in the leaves; that lead poisoning could
be detected with a simple dipstick
screening test; and that marigolds could
be used as a natural control of nema­
todes in gardens.
Station scientists have also pioneered
in the development of a computer model
to predict the outcome of plant disease
epidemics. This model was used to
monitor the progress of the Southern
Corn Leaf Blight which resulted in a
15 per cent corn crop loss during the
early 1970s.
Station scientists have developed a
way to use enzymes to liquify garbage,
and have been studying the use of sew­
age sludge and pharmaceutical wastes
as fertilizer substitutes. They are also
studying the process of composting.
Research on wasteful plant respira­
tion is disclosing the chemical path­
ways that must be blocked to gain in­
creases of 50 per cent or more in crop
yields. Geneticists are manipulating
plant cells growing in tissue culture to
create plants which have slower rates
of respiration which would mean bet­
ter yields.
Station scientists have also studied
natural control of important insect pests
of Connecticut. For example, they have
demonstrated that aluminum foil mulch
can repel aphids which spread plant
diseases; discovered a previously un­
known parasite which killed off the
elf spanworm after several years of
heavy defoliation during the early
1970’s; and demonstrated that a sex
attractant could prevent gypsy moth
mating in dense populations.
NEW HAVEN: The Connecticut Ag­
ricultural Experiment Station has pub­
lished a bulletin that describes the rise
and fall of the gypsy moth and elm
spanworm in Connecticut during the
last six years.
The gypsy moth is still a problem in
some parts of the state — particularly
in eastern and northern Connecticut
but the elm spanworm was killed off a
few years ago by a parasite discovered
by station entomologists.
Senior author. John Anderson, chief
entomologist at the station, said it ap­
pears that “the general spread of these
insects during 1969-74 resulted from
winds tending to blow more frequently
from the south and west.”
The data show “outbreaks of gypsy

moth are now persisting for longer peri­
ods of time, and that the main direc­
tions of dispersal are to the north and
east,” he said.
“ It thus appears that future infesta­
tions in southern or western areas of
Connecticut may spread across the state
and even into adjacent states as the
infestations have done during the early
1970’s,” wrote Anderson.
The bulletin contains a town-bytown
record of the severity of defoliation ex­
perienced in 165 towsn during the last
six years. Only four towns escaped no­
ticeable defoliation during that time.
Anderson also discusses the effects
of aerial spraying programs carried out
in 12 towns during the years 1969-71.
He concluded in several cases that insect
populations would have collapsed with­
out aerial spraying.
The tables used for the defoliation
data employ a location-identifying sys­
tem called the Geo-Code which was developd by coauthor Sydney W. Gould.
Gould and Anderson feel that the
Geo-Code could be used to assemble
uniformly organizd records of damage
caused by any disease organism or in­
sect.
The bulletin is available from Pub­
lications, The Connecticut Agricultural
Experiment Station, Box 1106, New
Haven, Ct. 06504.

APRIL CHECK LIST
Open Course.
Plan mowing schedule, increase fre­
quency of mowing as growth increase.
Sprayer boom calibrated for fairway
use.
Hormone type weed chemicals and
growth regulators on hand for May use.
Double check height of cut on all
mowers, KNOW what your height is.
Portable pump ready for possible use
in the event of heavy rain.
Brush greens if desirable.
Contact school vacation help.
Have UNDER R EPA IR signs ready
for ruts and wet spots.
Put in new or fresh painted hole
cups.
Double check out of bounds stakes.
Enough hose, sprinklers, nozzles, etc.
for seasons use.
Make 8 hour check on water system
if as yet un-used.
(Keep pressure up for 8 hours, check
all valves with head or hose).
Push new or old construction as
priority item.
Put in new trees.
Evaluate condition of course and con­
ditions, make written report.
Decide on golf car policy; should it
be unusually wet.
Continued on Page 3

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APRIL CHECK LIST
Continued from Page 2

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HANDICAPS

Decide on watering plan; should it
be unusually dry or windy.
Consider opening just one 9 if other
is too wet.
Sod bare spots or scars on fairways.
Use water soluable fertilizer and iron
to give greens color.
Take time to encourage and help new
Greensman — don’t over-do.
Post list of rainy day jobs.
Get on mailing list of club events
and activities.
Take time to be your own public
relations man with your Pro, members,
neighbors around course, manager and
all who you come in contact with . . .
resolve to do it all season . . . a few
minutes friendly conversation is enough
. . . again, don’t over-do.
Resolve not to get course bound this
season — when you are satisfied that
your place is in order — make a visit
to another course.
Set up a schedule for equipment main­
tenance; make one man or the operator
responsible for greasing, gasing, chang­
ing oil and adjusting.
Remember, grease and oil are cheap­
er than parts.
Remember last year’s problems and
head them off.
Keep a daily record, it could save
your job on your turf.

F light A 0-15
Anderson, Ed .........................................
Anderson, Ken .....................................
Barrett, Roger .....................................
Bedus, Ed ..............................................
Caswell, Paul .........................................
Cook, Dick ..............................................
Della Bianca, Leo ................................
Dziedzie, Lou .........................................
Fenn, Francis .........................................
Furgess, Bert .........................................
Gorton, George .....................................
Grywalski, Tom .....................................
Horvath, Kal .........................................
Kowalski, Ben .....................................
Kowalski, Lee S r....................................
Kowalski, Lee J r ....................................
Kristoff, Steve .....................................
Lamphier, Frank .....................................
Lowell, Walt .........................................
O’Connor, Pat .....................................
Ovian, K am ig .....................................
Ovian, Kay ..............................................
Ovian, Mike .......................................
Parker, John .........................................
Parsons, Dick .........................................
Perry, John ............................................
Polidor, Todd .........................................
Queen, Bill ..............................................
Rodgers, Fran .........................................
Roule, Dave ............................................
Ryan, Maurice .........................................
Viera, Bob ..............................................
Wilson, A1 ..............................................
Tosh, Bob ..............................................

GRASS CATCHER

F light B 16-36
Ajello, A1 ...................................................
Bachand, Fred .....................................
Barrett, Paul .........................................
Baskin, Charlie .....................................
Bid well, Joe ..............................................
Chalifour, Bob .....................................
DeBlasio, A1 .........................................
Dest, Bill ...................................................
Hawkins, A1 ............................................
Holcomb, Ron .....................................
Kelliher, Ken .........................................
Knoblock, Karl .....................................
Ladzinski, Paul .....................................
Lesage, Armond .....................................
Loper, Mark .........................................
Lynch, Jack ............................................
MacDonald, Jim .....................................
Meusel, Harry .........................................
Michaud, Tim .......................................
Mitchell, Lyle .........................................
Mulhearn, John .....................................
Osterman, Bob .....................................
Pepe, Tom ..............................................
Silva, Bob ................................................
Stimson, Dave .........................................
Suchinski, Hank .....................................
Wydra, Adam .....................................
Wydra, John .........................................
Zenisky, Ed ............................................
Associates
Arison, A1 ..............................................

Continued from Page 1

pumps and pump packages. The move
represents a change from its former
role of strictly an irrigation house.

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E mployment Wanted
Superintendent
or
Assistant
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James Laughbridge, P. O. Box 544
Marion, N. C. 28752 Telephone: 704652-6175. Graduated Penn. State Univ.
in 1975 from the two year Turf Man­
agement Program Work experience,
full-time Fall and Winter 1972, Marion
Lake Club, Nebo, N. C. Assistant Superintendent. Part-time summers 19711974, the Golf Club at Aspetuck, Easton, Conn.

CAGCS Scholarship applications as
well as Research Grant forms will be
available within the next two weeks, ac­
cording to the S & R Committee Chair­
person Ed Anderson.
Anyone wishing information on the
CAGCS Scholarship and Research Pro­
gram, contact Mr. Ed Anderson, 5
Wayne Road, Wallingford, Conn. 06492
Phone: Office 269*3660 - Home 2694209.

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Barber, Bob ............................................
Bryant, Gary .........................................
Calahan, John .........................................
Downey, Frank ....................................
Hosking, Dick .........................................
Kennedy, Bob ........................................
Russell, Lloyd .........................................
Ruiz, Paul ..............................................
Sanson, Ed ..............................................
Sherman, Henry ........................... ....
Somers, Bill ...........................................
Terhune, Sid ........................................
Wallace, Carl .......................................

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MEETING DATES
A PRIL 15
Mill River C. C.
Bert Furgess, Host 378-0331
Stratford, Conn.
Speaker
Business Meeting 5 :0 0 P. M.
Dinner 6 :3 0 P. M.
MAY 13
Lyman Meadowes G. C. (Luncheon)
George Gorton, Host 349-8055
Middlefield, Conn.
Business Meeting 1 0:30 A. M.
Lunch 12 Noon
Golf 1 :0 0 P. M.
No Speaker
JU N E 10
Pautapaug C. C.
Ken Pierce, Host 822-8597
Baltic, Conn.
Speaker
Business Meeting 5 :0 0 P. M.
Dinner 6 :3 0 P. M.
JU L Y 10
Manchester C. C.
Ken Kelliher, Host 649*5171
Manchester, Conn.
Speaker
Business Meeting 5 :0 0 P. M.
Dinner 6 :3 0 P. M.
AUGUST
OPEN
SEPTEM BER 10
Elmcrest C. C. (Luncheon)
A1 DeBlasio, Host 525-6641
East Longmeadow, Mass.
Business Meeting 10 :3 0 A. M.
Lunch 12 Noon
Golf 1 :0 0 P .M .
No Speaker
OCTOBER 7
C. C. of Avon
Joe Bidwell, Host 673-3570
Avon, Conn.
Speaker
Business Meeting 5 :0 0 P .M .
Dinner 6 :3 0 P. M.
NOVEMBER 13
ANNUAL MEETING (Luncheon)
Farms C. C.
Lyle Mitchell, Host 269-7512
Annual Meeting 10 :3 0 A. M.
Lunch 1 2 :3 0 P.M.
Golf 1 :30 P. M. Weather Permitting

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CHECK LIST FOR
HOST SUPERINTENDENTS
(Clip Out and Save)
W ith Golf P rofessional
Date of meeting
Time of golfers arrival
How many players expected?
Will caddys be available?
How many golf cars will be needed?
Blackboard to post days tourney (bestball, low gross, Supt. Champs, etc.)
Expected help from shop, Asst. Pro to
register players, collect money, fig­
ure results with chairman, negotiate
prizes.
W ith Clubhouse Manager
Date of meeting.
Will lunch be available?
Will signing privileges be allowed? If
not, cash, script, or whatever.
Price of dinner not to exceed $7.50.
Number expected for dinner?
Find out in advance what the menu will
be.
Anyone playing golf will be expected
to stay for dinner.
Head table for 12 facing membership.
If membership is to hold meeting other
than at dinner, make arrangements
for separate room, with head table
for the 4 officers facing member­
ship.
Small table next to head table for use
by the tournament chairman.
Projector and screen for speaker if
needed.
Public address system if needed.
W ith L ocker R oom Attendent
Date of meeting.
Will lockers be available?
Towels, showers, etc.

CONN. CLIPPINGS
Robert Osterman, editor
937 B lack R ock T urnpike
E aston Conn. 06612

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THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE
SUPPORT OF THE CONN. CLIPPINGS:
ALFCO, INC.
P.O. Box 267
Marietta, Ohio 45750
F ran k D ow ney, CAGCS m em ber
Jo h n M urphy
(413) 596-3009
(203) 325-0967
ANDERSON WARNER
ENGINEERING C O , INC.
Turf Irrigation
164 Nod Road
Avon, Conn. 06001
CHAS. C. HART COMPANY
304 Main Street
Wethersfield, Conn.
R obert K en n ed y , CAGCS m em ber
(203) 529-2537
CLORO-SPRAY
Div. Henry E. Sanson & Sons, Inc.
475 Beaver Street
Bristol, Penn. 19007
E. J. Sanson, CAGCS m em ber
F ran k P alad in o, LIG CS m em ber
(212) 338-2153
TU R F PRODUCTS CORP.
1496 John Fitch Blvd.
South Windsor, Conn. 06074
R oy S ibley
(203) 289-3471
LARCHMONT ENGINEERING &
IRRIGATION, INC.
Lexington, Mass 02173
Steve Butler, CAGCS m em ber
(617) 862-2550
METRO MILOGRANITE, INC.
P. 0 . Box 267
Hawthorne, New York 10532
Joh n Wistrand, CAGCS m em ber
(914) 769-7600

OLD FO X CHEMICAL CO.
Hazardville, Conn. 06082
Joh n Grant, CAGCS m em ber
P. O. Box 62
Pleasant Valley, Conn. 06063
(203) 379-3579
O. M. SCOTT & SONS
ProTurf Division
Marysville, Ohio
Al A rison, CAGS m em ber
(203) 336-9890
THE POW ERHOUSE
Rte. 6 & Dingle Ridge Road
Brewster, New York 10509
Russ L eC lair, CAGCS m em ber
SOM ERS TU R F SU P P L IE S
P. 0 . Box 294
Devon, Conn. 06460
B ill Som ers, CAGCS m em ber
TOM IRW IN, INC.
11 B A Street
Burlington, Mass.
Jo h n Callahan, CAGCS m em ber
VALLEY FARMS TU R F N U RSERY
Box 81
Avon, Conn. 06001
J o e Bidw ell, CAGCS m em ber
(203 ) 658-6886
THE MAGOVERN CO.
Windsor Locks, Conn.
L loy d Russell, CAGCS m em b er
Curtis Stim son, CAGCS m em ber
(203) 623-2508
(203 ) 255-2817
I & E SU PPL Y , INC.
66 Erna Avenue
P. 0 . Box 9
Milford, Conn. 06460
R ichard IV. Sm ith, CAGCS m em ber
R ich ard W. H osking CAGCS member

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