COULENTS ON

TURF CULTURE

Issued 0y The

UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION GREEN SECTION

P. 0. Box 73, Benjamin Franklin Station 
Washington, D» C.

MAY, 1936

Vol. 1, No. 2

Executive Offices, 73 East 57th Street, New York, N. Y

COMMENTS-ON

T U R F' C U L T UR E

Issued by the . UNITED "STATES GOLF'ASSOCIATION GRERN SECTION

P.O. Box 73, Benjamin Franklin Station,. Washington, D. C.
Frank M, Hardt, Chairman of Green Section Committee
Dr. John Monteith, Jr._, in Charge of Washington Offices 
Executive Offices, 73 East 57th Street, New York, N. Y. 

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Vol. 1, No. 2 

May, 1936

GREEN SECTION CQIIITTEE MEETING

A meeting of the Green Section Committee of the United States Golf 

Association will be held on .Thursday, June 5 at 11 A. M. at the Baltusrol 
Golf Club, Springfield, N« <J., during the Open Championship.

The Committee comprises:

Frank M. Hardt, chairman, Philadelphia,Pa. 
Robert F. Arnott, Upper Montclair, N.J. 
Leo S. Bauman, St. Louis, Mo.
Fred A. Burkhardt, Rocky River, Ohio 
Dixwell Davenport, San Francisco, Cal. 
Spencer M. Duty, Cleveland, Ohio 
Robert J. Foley, Huntington, W. Va. 
Dr. Walter S. Harban, Washington, D, C. 
Richard L. Jackson, Ridgefield, Conn. 
George*R. Jacobus, Ridgewood, N. J.

Norman Macbeth, Los Angeles, Cal.. 
Dr. M. A. McCall, Washington, D.C. 
Robert McLean, Jr., Baltimore, Md. 
John J. Mitchell,3d.,Philadelphia,Pa. 
Dr.John Monteith,Jr.,Washington,D.C. 
James Morrison, Cincinnati, Ohio 
Harry E. Radix, Chicago, Ill.
C. A. Tregillus, Everett, Ill.
Frank H» Wilson, Newton Centre, Mass. 
R. A. Young, Indianapolis, Ind.

THE CONTROL OF ANTS IN TURF

and has received many suggestions from outside sources.

The Green Section has made numerous tests with various ant remedies 

No method has yet been devised for ant control that is entirely 
efficient and practical for all purposes. One important difficulty is that 
there are numerous species of ants which are troublesome in turf and these 
species vary in their feeding habits.

Most of the ants bn golf.courses build nests in the ground in 

the immediate vicinity where they are feeding. Each colony has one or 
more queens which lay eggs in large numbers in the nests. These eggs 
hatch into larvae, which are fed with food brought in by the workers of the 
colony. In this manner the ant colony resembles a swarm of bees. Any 
treatment that merely kills the worker ants provides only a temporary check^- 
ing of the insect. If poison can be applied into the ant nests to kill the 
queen and the young, the entire colony is destroyed. Now colonies may, 
however, move in from nearby and establish new nests.

suitable for certain conditions, it is well to try others.

The following suggestions are presented for trial. If one is not 

Killing Individual Colonies; Various methods have been used to 

kill ant colonies quickly... In the vicinity of buildings, walks or driveways 
they may be destroyed by drenching the nests with boiling water or injecting 
small quantities of kerosene or coal oil. These treatments, however, are 
likely to destroy-grass and therefore cannot ‘be'used on turf.

* A similar'method, in which the killing agent is a volatile 

liquid (carbon bisulphide ). i has been used frequently on putting-greens. It 
is described briefly on page 155 of Volume 5 of-the Bulletin of the United 
States Golf Association Green -Section, as follows:

”In using carbon bisulphide the hole in the ant hill is enlarged 

with a sharp instrument and two or three drops, of carbon bisulphide are 
injected into the hole by means of a spring-bottom oil can. The hole is 
then at once closed by plugging with earth. Care must be exercised in the 
use of carbon bisulphide as in the use of;gasoline, since it is equally as 
explosive.” 

k-

One important objection to this method, however, is that unless 
used with great caution the carbon bisulphide is likely to injure the turf.

Extracts of pyrethrum have recently been substituted for carbon 

bisulphide. The method’is essentially the same as the carbon bisulphide 
method. The ordinary commercial extract of pyrethrum is diluted 1 part to 
100 in water, placed ifi’ap oil can, and used in practically the same manner 
as the carbon bisulphide. ‘In tests at Arlington this treatment completely 
destroyed ant colonies without any injury to turf. Pyrethrum extract is a 
common insecticide sold under various trade names.

VJhere colonies form large ant nests, two or three ounces or more 
of either carbon bisulphide 'or pyrethrum extract is required. In such cases 
the treatment has been found to be more effective if the ant hill is covered 
with a wet blanket or heavy, cloth for a time to retain the fumes of the 
chemical.

The above method, however, is impractical where the ant colonies 

are numerous, because of the excessive labor involved. In such cases it is 
best to use a less laborious treatment to get rid of most of the ants and to 
depend on the above for the final, clean-up.

Calcium cyanide (Cyahagas) applied at the center of the hill is 

also effective. The amount held by the point of a pocket-knife blade is 
enough for a colony. Gas evolves as soon as the powder comes in contact 
with moisture, in this case from that in the soil. Care must be taken not 
to spill the chemical on grass and to keep it stored in a dry place.

Poisoned Baits: Ants can be controlled with .poisons. In using 

poisoned baits it must be remembered that the ri^it. kind of bait must be 
used to attract the particular species that is .present. . Some species of 
ants prefer arrest substances, ..whereas others-prefer fatty, mat erials. If 
strong poisons are used the ants that eat , them- are. immediately killed and 
the other ants will avdid that particular substance. Therefore, the 
principle of using ant baits is to use the poison sufficiently diluted so 
that before the worker ants feel any ill effects from the poison they will 
have been able ■ to carry large quantities of-it back into the nests where 
it may be fed to ’the reproductive forms and to the young and thereby destroy 
the entire colony. Ants frequently appear suspicious of poisoned baits and 
will avoid them. It is therefore well to change to different combinations 
when any particular poisoned bait no longer appears effective.

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Various ant poisons are available on the market under trade names. 

In many of these proprietary mixtures the basic poison is thallium sulphate. 
This chemical is extremely toxic, to. grass and. in: general should be avoided on 
golf courses until more information is available as to its possibilities for 
harm. In tests at the Arlington turf garden extremely small quantities of 
thallium sulphate sterilized soil so effectively that grass -would not grow 
upon it for at least a year. Concentration of this poison by the ants in 
their nests may lead to serious turf injuries. Thallium sulphate baits, 
hov/cver, can be used with.safety around the clubhouse or other buildings of 
golf courses.

Some ant poisons contain borax,, which also is likely to cause 

injury to turf and therefore should be avoided in excess on putting greens.

Several simple baits which have been found to be effective are 

listed below. The sirup baits may be used most effectively by dipping pieces 
of sponge, absorbent cotton or cloth into the sirup and then placing them in 
containers such as metal salvo boxes or heavily paraffined pasteboard contains'- 
Small openings are made in the containers so that the ants may have easy acccs 
to the sirup. The containers may be placed on the green in the evening and 
lifted in the morning.

The following poisoned sirups have been found effective:

Formula A: Dissolve 4 ounces of sugar in a quart of. hot water. 

Then add i ounce tartar emetic.

Formula B: Dissolve 1 pound of sugar in 1 quart of hot water. 
Add 125 grains of sodium arsenate, boil and strain.

Formula 0: (Recommended only for the control of the Argentine 

ant, which occurs only in some of the Southern States 
and in certain parts of California)

Add 9 pounds of granulated sugar, 6 grams (approxi­
mately 30 grams equal 1 ounce) of tartaric acid 
(crystalized), and 8.4 grams of benzoate of soda to 
4 A quarts of water.
Boil the mixture slowly for 30 minutes, then allow 
it to cool.
Dissolve 15 grams of sodium arsenite (C.P.) in i 
pint of hot water and allow it to cool. Add this 
poison solution to the sirup and stir well.

. Then add 1-1/4 pounds of strained honey and mix thorougi

/mother method for using the poisons listed above is to mix the 

sugar and chemicals dry with an equal volume of bran or corn meal. Add 
enough weak honey solution (honey in water) to make a crumbly mixture which 
can be scattered about the green.

Another dry mixture that is usually effective is:

Hix 1 ounce Ihris green with 1 pound brown sugar. 
Sprinkle the crumbs very lightly around the ant, hill

The poisons .may also be mixed with lard to make a paste-like bait 

which attracts the species that feed on fatty materials, It must be rememberer 
to keep the poison sufficiently diluted so that it nay be carried to the nests- •

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Repelling with Vater: A net ho a that has some times been used 
effectively, is that of driving ants from greens by leaving sprinklers 
running all night for several nights in succession. The ants dislike 
this excess water, and will'leave the greens. . Because of the danger 
of complications due to excess water, on heavier,, soils this method can 
only be recommended.for greens with exoclient drainage and sandy topsoil.

Tobacco dust and.other repellants have proved to be effective

under certain conditions. However, like the watering method, these 
remedies are only partially effective since they merely cause the ants 
to move out to.new territory, from vhich they.migrate back onto the greens 
as scon as conditions are.again favorable.

Warning; The poisons listed above (except pyrethrum extract) are 

extremely poisonous to human beings and animals. Extreme care should 
therefore be exccrcised in their preparation, use and storage. The sirups 
especially should never be left where they may be reached by small children.

UNUSUAL I7EATHER CONDITIONS IN 1936

Greenkeeping practices must always be modified in conformity
with the prevailing weather conditions. Many golf course officials have 
for years been hoping for some standardized golf course maintenance 
methods. It is impossible, however, to standardize greenkeeping methods 
until somecne develops a system of standardizing the weather. In the 
maintenance of grass, allowance must be made, for not’only the weather 
conditions prevailing at the time but also for’ unusual weather conditions 
of previous months, as well as anticipating possible extremes in the 
months to come.

The season of 1936 started with a variety of unusual conditions

that have already had a decided influence on golf course turf and will no 
doubt influence turf culture throughout this summer.

The long, cold winter with plehty of show, followed by a cold,

wet spring, in many parts of the .country resulted in severe damage from 
snowmold and winterkill. In many sections of the country the growth of 
turf; particularly annual bluegrass, was stimulated in early March by 
early spring thaws and in seme places was completely killed by cold 
weather later in the month. The result was that large areas of golf 
c urse turf were destroyed and the cold weather that followed the 
seeding of these injured areas resulted in slow germination. The 
seedlings in these large areas, whether they are from seed that was 
sown in the soil this spring or from seed of poa annua already in the 
soil, are faced with the possibilities of extremely hot, unfavorable 
weather before they are well established. This’circumstance therefore 
will continue to threaten through the summer. Excessive fertilizing 
and watering to speed up the growth of grass in. these weakened areas 
at this late date may only make conditions worse if early summer weather 
conditions prove unfavorable.

As an example of the extreme weather conditions that

prevailed in the early part of 1936, the United States 'leather Bureau 
has reported that in Oklahoma, for instance, the 111 days from January 
1 to April 20 had approximately one-fifth cf the normal rainfall for 
that season. This represents the smallest amount cf rainfall that is 
on record for that period in Oklahoma. The driest previous record for 
a simile a? period was in 1910, which had, however, 60 per cent more

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precipitation than was recorded in 1936.

During that same interval the Kansas weather bureau records 
shewed less than 30 per cent, normal rainfall, which was the lowest on 
record. Missouri likewise had the driest similar period since records 
have been kept. Texas in that seme interval had only 40 per cent, of 
its normal rainfall.

While the above States were scoring weather bureau records 

for dryness, many of the Eastern States were setting flood recordsThe 
average rainfall; for instance, in Pennsylvania for the month of March 
was nearly 7 inches, or about'30 percent, more than the previc us high 
record. New York, West Virginia and Virginia ’each had the second heaviest 
rainfall on record for March.

In regions having excessive rainfall during the spring months, 

golf course turf i$ likely to be shallow rooted and therefore more apt 
to be severely innured by hot, dry weather in early summer, Were turf 
is watered, more care must be exercised to avoid excessive drying of 
‘•surface soil if there is a shallow root system than if conditions have 
been favorable for the development of deeper root systems. Also, it is 
especially important under such conditions to control attacks of turf 
diseases promptly to avoid extensive damage, since grass with a shallow 
root system will not recover as rapidly from such attacks as will turf 
with a better root system.

MR. NORTH JODIS THE GREEN SECTION

The Green Section is glad to announce the .addition to its 

technical staff of Mr. H. F. A, North, who during the past 6 years has 
been conducting experimental work with grasses and turf at the Rhode 
Island Agricultural Experiment Station. Mr. North is a. graduate of the 
Iowa State College and later, did graduate work and served on the staff 
of the West Virginia University. Since going to Rhode Island in 
November, 1929, he has devoted much time to the study of velvet bent 
for turf purposes. This study included net only the comparison of the 
best strains cf velvet bent in turf but also a study of the possibilities 
of each strain for seed production, with the view to making a dependable 
supply of seed of these grasses available cn a commercial basis. . His 
work in Rhode Island also included a study of fertilizers for turf' 
purposes as well as observations on the control of diseases and insects.

In connection with the experimental work at Rhode Island, 
Mr. North visited a large number of clubs in the New Ehgland district 
and became thoroughly familiar with the golf course turf problems in 
that region. For the past two years he has been Secretary of the 
Rhode Island Greenkeepers’ Club.

Mr. North will be located at the Green Section headquarters 

in Washington and. vail continue his turf investigations at the Arlingtc n 
turf garden as well as take part in the technical advisory service of 
the Green Section.

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BERMUDA GRASS‘SEED - 

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The necessity‘for reseeding large'areds of Bermuda grass turf 

on Southern golf courses this spring'raised several questions as to the 
relative speed cf‘germination of the "ordinary'Bermuda grass seed as 
compared v/ith seed from which the hulls have been removed. It has-been 
claimed that the ordinary seed is as much as three or four -weeks slower 
in germinating than is the dehulled seed of Bermuda,grass. Such 
differences would be of much importance in reseeding Bermuda turf.

In order .to ascertain how much'quicker the dchulled seed 
would germinate, a test was conducted in*a' greenhouse in April under 
favorable growing conditions. Part of a lot of good Bermuda seed was 
dehulled mechanically. Equal weights from each kind of seed were 
carefully weighed in duplicate and planted in boxes of soil. Plantings 
v;ere all made on April 8 and by April 16 a large number of seedlings 
were showing. On this and each succeeding day until April 28 the 
seedlings were removed*and counted.

It was found that approximately 50 per cent, mere seedlings 

came up from the samples of dehulled seed than from the samples of the 
ordinary seed during the period of 20 days that the count was continued 
(887 and 885 for the tw~- boxes of dehulled as against 623 and 611 for 
ordinary seed).

Seventy-eight per cent, of the seedlings from dehullod seed 

appeared during the first 8 days, as compared with 46 per cent, from 
the ordinary seed. However, from the common seed 77 per cent, of the 
seedlings appeared during the first 10 days.

From this particular test with a representative sample of 

good seed planted under favorable germinating conditions, it would 
appear that the dehulled (hulled) seed is two days quicker than the 
ordinary (unhulled) seed of Bermuda grass. This under special 
conditions may be an important difference. Since three-fourths of 
the ordinary seeds that germinated were up in 10 days, the difference 
in speed of germination dur to presence or absence cf hulls is not a 
matter of general importance. In cooler, less, favorable conditions 
the difference no doubt would be somewhat greater.

Althod^i the dehulled seed does not germinate much more 

rapidly under favorable conditions than does the ordinary Bermuda grass 
seed, it has other advantages which justify a somewhat increased price. 
A much larger number of seedlings is obtained from each pound of seed 
and also there are likely to be fewer weed seeds in a good grade of 
dehulled seed than similar grades of ordinary seed.

CUTI70RMS AND ARMY FORMS *

Cutworms are naked caterpillars, the larvae of night-flying 

winged moths or "millers.” They frequently appear in greens during warm 
weather to cut off small areas of grass each night, making a blemished 
and unsightly putting surface. Usually the cutworm hides during the 
day in a burrow which may be marked at either end by the closely-cut 
almost scalped patches.

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Army worms are similar to cutworms in appearance and habits 

except that occasionally under favorable conditions they reproduce in 
enormous numbers and migrate as a veritable army, eating- or destroying 
relatively all low-lying vegetation in their path. The measures given 
for the control.of cutworms apply to the army .worm as well. For a more 
complete account of this pest see pages 166-169 of the Bulletin of the 
United States Golf Association Green-Section, Vol. IV (1924).

The adult cutworm moths have dark forewings which expand 

from one to two inches and are variously marked with darker or lighter 
spots and narrow bands. The wings, arc folded over the back when at 
rest. Like the larvae, they feed at night, sipping the nectar from 
flowers, and nay be noticed during the day as they fly out cf reach 
and settle again on greens or other turf. The females prefer to lay 
their eggs on grass land. The young larvae which hatch in late summer 
feed upon the plant roots until frost, when they burrow deeper to 
hibernate until spring.

'The larvae are voracious feeders. They become full grown by 

late spring or early summer and are then 14 to 2 inches long, cf a 
dull brown or gray c<-lor and more or less narked with stripes and 
oblique dashes along the back, depending upon the species. The larvae 
change to moths (pupate) by midsummer in the Central and Northern states 
and earlier farther south. There is usually only one generation in the 
North and commonly two and sometimes three in the South.

Control: There are two methods of controlling cutworms;. (1) 

poisoning the vegetation they arc feeding upon, and (2) applying pcis<*n 
bait.

The more nearly certain, immediate control is obtained by 

coating the grass blades with arsenate cf lead, using It to 2 pounds 
to each 1,000 square feet. It nay be applied as a spray cr may be 
mixed with approximately 4 quarts cf screened and dried sand for 1,000 . 
square feet. The arsenate cf lead is dusted on the leaves, as the 
sand falls through the turf, in quantities sufficient to poison the 
worms. This quantity of sand may be spread rapidly with a wheelbarrow 
seeder. The arsenate of lead is a-more expensive method than the poison 
bait but it remains in the turf, where it.continues to act as a control 
for earthworms or grubs.

The standard formula for poison bait is as follows:

50 pounds
V.hc at  bran 
Paris  green cr white arsenic 2 pounds 
Cheap  molasses 
2 quarts
2 to 4 gallons or more
Uatcr 

.

as needed.

Mix the dry bran and poison. Dilute the molasses -with seme water and 
mix it with the poisoned bran. Add sufficient water to make a mcist, 
crumbly mixture. Middlings cr alfalfa meal nay be substituted for the 
bran. The bait is more potent if allowed to stand several hours after 
mixing. Scatter just before nightfall at the rate of approximately 3 
pounds to 1,000 square feet. This treatment may be repeated as needed.

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The poison bait prcvides a rapid and inexpensive method for 

controlling these pests. It nay be used on putting greens as well as 
approaches and fairways. By scattering poison bait early in the season 
on the turf surrounding the putting greens, much damage from cutworms 
may be avoided^, since these worms frequently migrate to the putting 
greens from drier turf at considerable distance from the greens.

Caution? Arsenate cf.lead, ’ Paris green and white arsenic are 
serious poisons that should not be inhaled during mixing cr spreading 
and should be thoroughly washed from the hands. Unless the bait is 
lightly and evenly spread it may cause injury to greens due to an 
excess of arsenic in the larger lumps. Birds are apt to be poisoned by 
the lumps also.

CONTROLLING CLOVER

Due to unusually wet and cold weather this spring in certain 

sections clover has become particularly troublesome on golf ccurses. 
Until a specific chemical treatment has been perfected, the control of 
clover must depend very largely upon skillful fertilization.

\hite clover, like ether legumes, usually obtains a large 
quantity of the nitrogen required for growth from the air in the soil 
through the activity of bacteria living within swollen growths (nodules) 
cn the rents. Grasses are incapable cf obtaining nitrogen in this way 
and must depend upon the supply available in the soil.

A relatively permanent control depends upon the supplying of 

enough nitrogen so that the grasses may compete against the clover on 
better than equal terms. It is important also that plenty of nitrogen 
be available early in the season. This may involve the application cf 
mineral fertilizer, since organic fertilizers break down slowly in cool 
weather.

Grasses particularly when closely clipped are limited to a 

relatively shallow layer cf soil, while the clover may absorb water and . 
plant food from a much deeper layer. Grasses are thus placed at a 
disadvantage during periods when the reserve moisture becomes depleted 
in the upper layers.

Moderate amounts of phosphorus, potash and lime are probably 

more nearly sufficient for the grass than for the clover.

It has been ebs-rvod that dense growing grasses such as 

velvet and creeping bent are less invaded than colonial bent cr seaside 
bent. Bent or red fescue fairways have less than Kentucky bluegrass 
turf where these are all successfully grown.

Hard-packed turf usually has more clover than areas‘receiving 

less compaction. Any method cf correction, whether that of distributing 
the trampling more evenly or opening up the turf by spiking cr» forking,, 
should promote a more favorable competition of the grass with the clover- 
Incorporating organic matter in soil and providing good drainage are 
ether factors in this connection.

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There is usually less clover in acid than in relatively neutral 

or basic turf. - However, the grasses are seldom improved in growth as a 
result of making the soil acid and may be seriously injured if this 
procedure is carried far enough tc eradicate the clover.

Often it is. good-tpolicy t« deliverately burn the turf by apply­

ing mineral nitrogen such as sulphate of ammonia or a complete fertilizer 
high in nitrogen when dew is’ on the grass. The clover is usually injured 
more and recovers more slowly than the grass. The severity of the burn 
may be regulated by the-amount of the fertilizer-.applied and the interval 
until the fertilizer salt is dissolved from the .leaves by watering or 
rain. Sulphate of ammonia applied in this way at the .rate cf -3 pounds' 
to 1,000 square feet gives a decided bum to putting green turf. If only 
a few patches are to be treated, the sulphate of ammonia may be salted oh 
from a large-sized shaker end left a few hours before water is applied-* 
If one is not familiar with this method it is well to try it first on a 
few patches until the-right quantity is .determined. The sulphate of 
ammonia will turn-the grass brown as well as the clover, but. the grass 
will recover unless the dosage is too severe.

The burning of clover in this manner-should be done in spring 

or fall while conditions are favorable for a rapid recovery of grass. 
Tnerc is still time to use this method-but it should not be attempted 
from the middle of June ’until the end of August, except on Northern courses.

SEASONAL REMINDERS

Remove Excess Stolt ns: During the spring months when creeping 

bent is growing vigorously an excess of stolons is produced on the 
surface. This is particularly the case with certain undesirable strains. 
Unless this excess growth is removed er covered with top-dressing the 
turf will develop an objectionable grain which will load to many 
complaints from players during the summer months..

The best way to remove this excess growth is by raking or 

severe brushing, followed by close mowing. Such severe raking or brushing 
should be done not later than the end of May while the grass is still 
growing vigorously and therefore able to cover up scars quickly. Greens 
that shew a tendency to produce objectionable grain should be given light 
brushings frequently throughout the summer.. Severe treatments, however, 
should not be attempted during mid-summer-months.

Dollarspot: During the month of May dollarspot usually makes its 
first appearance, in most of cur bent—growing districts. Frequently these 
first attacks are neglected and are permitted to make bad scars before 
fungicides are applied. The first attack of dollarspot should be the 
signal for applying a heavy dose of mercury fungicide. Even though the 
first attack is slifjit it is wise to use a heavy treatment of fungicide. 
TJhen turf is protected by. a generous dose of mercury in May the succeeding 
attacks of dollarspot and brownpatch are less likely to cause serious 
damage before additional treatments can be applied. The most economical 
and lasting cf the mercury fungicides used tc-control dollarspot is 
calomel. The May treatment with calomel should be at the rate cf 3 ounces 
tc 1,000 square feet.

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Excessive Watering: The operation of watering turf on the majority 

of courses starts in Hay. Thereforej.this ,is a good time to warn clubs 
that much of the serious damage_to turf on putting greens during the summer 
months is directly cr indirectly attributable to excessive watering* If 
putting greens arc kept soaked during May and early June a shallow root 
system, which is the result of, this practice, is almost certain to give 
the greenkeeper plenty of trouble, during hot, sultry periods throughout 
the rest of the summer.

Crabgrass: Crabgrass usually opens its season in liay. This pest 

is encouraged by a liberal supply of water arid, fertilizers if they are 
supplied between now and. August. Therefore, to keep crabgrass from 
smothering cut the permanent grasses, it. is advisable to use fertilizers 
and water as sparingly as practicable during the next three months on th^se 
areas where this weed is prevalent, 

’

Brown Areas in Fairways; On courses in the regions where there has 

been an excessive amount ,of rain this spring and, frequent heavy showers, 
there appears to be an unusually large infestation of leafspot on Kentucky 
bluegrass. Hany areas of fairways and tees that have a good covering cf 
bluegrass ;turf have nevertheless appeared brown and generally unthrifty. 
An examination of individual-leaves- shows that the injury is due to 
leaf spot. Many of the leaves have been entirely killed and have given 
the affected area a generally brown appearance. A description of this 
injury together with illustrations are given on pages 146, 147 <- f the 
August, 1932, number cf The Bulletin of the United States Golf Association 
Green Section.

Mo satisfactory cure for this ailment is yet known. There 

this condition is observed (.n golf courses it is well to keep the mowers 
set as high as the players will tolerate until the bluegrass has had a 
chance to -recover from this spring attack cf leafspot.

Brownpatch:  During the latter part of Liay or early June brown-,
patch usually begins to appear. Whether or not it shows up in May, at 
least most greenkeepers can feel sure they will see it in June. There­
fore, it is well to have a supply cf fungicides on hand to use when this 
disease appears. In purchasing fungicides it is well to remember that 
the effectiveness of the group of mercury fungicides is primarily 
dependent on the amount cf mercury, each contains.. The m^re.soluble ones 
are more quickly effective• and therefore pore desirable for the control 
of brewnpatch. For this purpose, corrosive sublimate is, the most 
effective and economical cf the .large nuaber of fungicides that have 
been tested by the Green Section.

In order to prevent burning by.any of the mercuiy fungicides 

during periods of unusually hot, sultry weather, it is .well to greatly 
reduce the dosage. In the early-season treatments the dosage with 
corrosive sublimate (bichloride of mercury) may be as heavy as .3 ounces 
to 1,000 square feet, but in days of unusual heat and' excessive moisture 
it is well to reduce .the. rate to 1 ounce and in seme cases as low’as i> ' 
ounce of corrosive sublimate to.1,000 feet. .Other fungicides should be 
reduced accordingly wherever they show a sufficient supply of mercury to 
permit of such reduction. Upon inquiry the Green Section will be glad 
tc advise member clubs as to the relative effectiveness cf the. various 
brownpatch fungicides on the market.

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Turf Nurseries; 'here a golf course*:is not equipped with an adequate 

turf nursery to provide sod for patching purposes, it is -well to be reminded 
that there is no time like.the present ’for breaking a piece of land and 
cultivating it during the stone,r months to- have it ready, for starting a 
nursery in early' September. .Turf nurseries may be considered as a fora of 
turf insurance. If something -happens’ to- a patch of/grass in a putting green, 
it is very’convenient to have readily available a piece of sod which has been 
maintained like the putting' greens that’ can be lifted, and placed in the 
injured patch. 
' ’‘

VMto Grubs; In Nay .and June -the'adult, beetle (May beetle or June 
bug) of. the common white grub is active and laying eggs for the next brood 
of white grubs. These well-known beetles spend the night in-trees, where 
they feed on the young foliage. The females fly down to the turf particularly 
in the early morning hours just before daylight, immediately burrow into the 
soil and deposit eggs. In a comparatively short time.these eggs hatch and 
the young grubs start feeding on the grass roots, nnd become'nest destructive 
the following year. If they are sufficiently abundant, they greatly weaken 
or even kill the turf grasses.

These beetles seem to prefer the- white or burr oak'foliage and 
therefore are most abundant in groves of these trees* They are also found 
in such trees as hickory, poplar, elm, willow, locust, ash and walnut. The 
females ordinarily do not fly far from the trees which they inhabit. There­
fore, the area of greatest grub infestation is invariably in the immediate 
civinity. of trees which have been heavily populated by beetles.

At this season of the year it is well to have members of the green­

keeping’staff on the lookout for these beetles. The beetles fly to the trees 
about dusk and, if numerous, with the aid of a flashlight they may be seen 
flying around the-trees during.the early evening. Wherever they are observed 
in large nmbers,- it is well to anticipate grub jinjury within the next few 
months. Important -turf in such infested areas may be treated with arsenate., 
of lead at the rate of 5 pounds to 1,000 square feet during the summer to 
poison ‘the young grubs before they do serious damage to the turf.

.REPORT OF THE GREEN SECTION CdlOTTEE FOR 1935 
- Under the Chairmanship of Harold H. Pierce

The Green Section activities for 1935/ as in the previous year, 
were chiefly confined to routine correspondence and advisory service. The 
heavy rains together with prolonged periods of excessive heat and humidity 
in the Middle Vest led to much more-than the ordinary injuries to turf in 
that part of the country. These conditions were responsible for an increase 
in correspondence with clubs in that area.

In April, after years cf faithful service, Hr. Kenneth Helton, who 

had been on our Green Section staff since 1928, submitted his resignation in 
order to join the Soil Conservation Service of the United States Department 
of Agriculture. Mr. Helton’s departure was a severe loss tc our organization 
and we wish to take, this opportunity to wish him success in his new work.

During the season it was possible tc continue experimental work at 

the Arlington Turf Garden. .This "work was chiefly in connection rath weed 
control with chemicals, and a study cf the influence of air circulation on the 
development cf turf diseases, with the result that effective control of such 
v/eeds as clover, chickweed, dandelions and plantain has been accomplished in 

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fairway turf without destroying the bluegrass and fescue, at a cost for 
chemicals in many cases ’jell below $1.00 an acre. . Work on a smaller scale 
vias continued on the Eid-[est turf garden.

During the winter the Green Section staff took part in.the 

programs of short courses in greenkeeping offered by .the State colleges 
of Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as the Annual Convention of the 
National Association of Greenkeepers cf America. During the year the 
staff took part iri the educational programs of local and Green Section 
organizations in Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Detroit, 
Cleveland, Nev/ York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington.

For the benefit of these critics who state that Green Section 

research work is more important than the-ether activities of our Association, 
we are giving below figures'-for • the last nine years showing the percentage 
of member club dues spent on Green Section wdrk. If consideration is giv’en 
to the necessary expense of cur New York office, it will be seen that if it 
were not for the income from Championships, materially less funds could have 
been allotted in the past to Green Section work.

Statement of U.S.G.A. Dues, Green Section Receipts, Disbursements 
Gross, Disbursements Net, and Percentage Net Disbursements to
Dues, from December 1, 1926 to November 30, 1935-

Nev.

30 U.S.G.A. Dues

Green Secticn
Receipts <

Disbursements 
Gress

Disbursements 
. Net

$ 29,450.00
1927
1928
31,350.00
32,130.00
1929
32,520.00
1930
31,770.00
1931
26,685.00
1932
23,085.00
1933
21,760.00
1934
21,455.00
1235
Totals $250,205.00

$ 3,627.53

3,565.19 •
3,885.79-
3,265.44 •
1,802.68
2,695.63
3,098.32
2,410.83
1,775.04
$26,126.45

§ 24,301.14
27,099.41
36,879.26
41,918.58
47,032.82
37,449.36
29,354.13
14,396.45
12,864.41
$271,295.56

$ 20,673.61
23,534.22
32,993;47
38,653.14
45,230.14
34,753.73
26,255.81
11,985.62
11,089.37
3245,169.11

percentage 
Net Dis-
bursements 
to Dues

70.2
75.1
102.7
118.8
142.3
130.2
113.7
55.1
51.7
98. (Ave)

• The-Executive Committee of our Association realizes the impor­

tance of Green Section research work, and it -is. their intention to allot 
to this work as much of our income as is possible.

In order to obtain more funds for this work, our policy was 

changed this year, by permitting donations from those not connected with 
our Association. Such contributions amounted to $405.00, ire urge those 
who are interested to make or obtain such contributions for the future.

In 1935, $15,750.00 plus the donations of $405.00 was allotted to 

Green Section work. At cur Executive Committee meeting on November 21, 
$15,000.00 was allotted to the Green Section fob-work in 1936, and in additicr 
there remains the unexpended balance from the 1935 fund, amounting tc 
$4,660.63, making a total cf $19,660.63 available for 1936 Green• Section .- 
activity. By not spending c.ur entire appropriation in one’ year we are able

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tc budget our expenses -md set aside funds to assure the continuance of 
incomplete experiments.

It is our hope that sufficient funds may be made available 

sc that the Bulletin nay again be issued to member clubs, either annually 
or semi-annually. If this is net possible, v;e shall advise member clubs 
by occasional letters of up-to-date information on greenkeeping based on 
the results cf our experiments.

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