THE BULLETIN of the UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION GREEN SECTION Vol. 7 Washington, D. C., May, 1927 No. 5 Contents Page Some Observations on Construction and Maintenance Problems. By H. Kendall Read.......................................................................................... 86 Observations on Turf Experiments at Gainesville, Fla. By H. L. Westover.. 89 U. S. G. A. Sub-Committees for 1927....................................................................... 94 Testing New Chemicals on Greens. By John Monteith, Jr................................ 95 Why the Green Section? By Alex Pirie................................................................ 99 Municipal and Public Golf............................... 101 Questions and Answers................................................................................................ 103 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Wynant D. Vanderpool, Chairman, 766 Broad Street, Newark, N. J. Russell A. Oakley, Washington, D C. Harvey L. Westover, Washington, D. C. H. Kendall Read, Philadelphia, Pa. Walter S. Harban, Washington. D. C. H. Y. Barrow, New York, N. Y. RESEARCH COMMITTEE ^D^c/* A’ ®AKLEY> Chairman, Washington, Harvey L. Westover, Acting Chairman, Wash, ington, D. C. O. B. Fitts, Associate, Washington, D. C. G. T. Cunningham, Executive Secretary, Wash­ ington, D. C. The Bulletin is published monthly by the United States Golf Association Green Section. P. O. Box 313, Washington, D. C., at Room 7207, Building F, 7th and B Streets N. W. Address all MAIL to P. O. Box 313, Pennsylvania Avenue Station, Washington, D. C. Send TELEGRAMS to Room 7207, Building F, 7th and B Streets N. W„ Washington, D. C. Subscription Price: In United States of America, Canada, Mexico, and West Indies, $4.00 per year; in all other countries, $5.00 per year. Entered as second-class matter, April 21. 1926. at the postoffice at Washington, D. C.. under the Act of March 3, 1379. Copyrighted, 1927, by the United States Golf Association Green Section. 86 May, 1927 ADVISORY COMMITTEE W. A. Alexander, Chicago, Ill. Eberhard Anheuser, St. Louis, Mo. A. C. U. Berry, Portland, Oree. William F. Brooks, Minneapolis, Minn. N. S. Campbell, Providence, R. I. Wm. C. Fownes, Jr., Pittsburgh, Pa. F. EL Hillman, Washington, D. C. Thos. P. Hinman, Atlanta, Ga. Frederic C. Hood, Watertown, Mass. K. F. Kellerman, Washington, D. C. Norman Macbeth, Los Angeles, Calif. E. J. Marshall, Toledo, Ohio. W. L. Pfeffer, St. Louis, Mo. George V. Rotan, Houston, Tex. Sherrill Sherman, Utica, N. Y. Frederick Snare, Havana, Cuba. James D. Standish, Jr., Detroit, Mich. W. R. Walton, Washington, D. C. Alan D. Wilson, Philadelphia, Pa. M. H. Wilson, Jr., Cleveland, Ohio. Frank L. Woodward, Denver, Colo. Some Observations on Construction and Maintenance Problems By H. Kendall Read The article written by me in the October Bulletin on the recon­ struction of an old course brought so many interesting letters and comments that I thought a further discussion along this line might be of some interest. The first observation I want to make on construction and main­ tenance is the close relationship which exists between them. You notice “construction” is put first. Have you ever thought that the architect, in making his paper plans and the character of the con­ struction employed in carrying them out, largely determines for all time whether your maintenance expense will be large or small ? Each trap and hazard of every description represents a certain annual ex­ pense. If our records and accounting systems were accurate enough, we could number each hazard on our course and set opposite each number the annual cost of upkeep. With such a record in our hand, we could then have the questionable pleasure of strolling over our links some day, probably accompanied by our Board of Directors, and pointing to, say hazard No. 23 and consulting our list, be able to state that the thing costs $100 a year to maintain. In a similar way, we might point to hazard No. 223, large and terrible, but a little ex­ pensive we admit; $250 a year for this one. In each case, would not the questions be raised, “Is it necessary and is it worth the cost?” After such an excursion, I venture to say some reconstruction and elimination would take place. But why can’t these things be given proper consideration in the beginning? I know that by some architects they are. No hazard should ever be created when there is the slightest doubt as to its real necessity. Personally, I know courses where a majority of the artifi­ cial hazards are uncalled for, are an unjustifiable expense and a downright disfigurement. I want to repeat here a statement made in my previous article in The Bulletin : “It is fortunate that in the elimination of many unnecessary and useless hazards, a most desir­ able improvement in appearance is obtained. This is true because most of the things which I have in mind are wholly artificial and un- na uial ana when you take them away, you are taking a long step in the right direction.” n..±rer’ ? reasonable number of artificial hazards may be re- mfliwJ^Create4a.proper test of Pla^ But if the future perpetual fhn oMr>^nCe\-C°St41SiC011stan^y hept in mind much can be done in Inhnr nnJ-; 10I\ *°i KeeP ^own upkeep expense, especially the hand P on. And don t forget that anything you can do to reduce May, 1927 87 hand labor is cutting down your largest single expense item. How often do we see a group of small traps where a tractor or horse can not possibly be used. In most cases, they could be combined into one large hazard without loss of value, an improvement in appearance and a big saving in upkeep. In going over a course, just notice particularly the things that demand the most hand labor. I mean the artificial hazards. You will find that in practically every case, they are the most unnatural, the ugliest, the most intrusive things that spoil what might otherwise be an attractive picture. It is also sad but true that by far the largest portion of fairway bunkering hits the average player and not the star. I often wonder why. It is a silly mistake. Ask any first-class player after a round on an average course how many fairway traps he was in. Then ask him how many traps at the greens he found. Try this experiment. I am personally convinced that most fairway hazards are constructed and maintained at considerable cost for the benefit of the poor dub who pays the bulk of the cost of his own discomfiture. Furthermore, I believe that a course of average length and with average sized greens could be constructed without a single fairway hazard, where par could be almost as difficult as you cared to make it. All you would have to do would be to tighten up your greens after properly setting them and provide reasonable rough. In this con­ nection, I want to call attention to the so-called Cape type of hole. To me they hold great value and interest. But the same principle of construction can be used where the hole is straight away, and with an almost infinite variety. By simply twisting the green at different angles and trapping close to the green accordingly, many different problems can be developed. Moreover, this type of hole lends itself beautifully to differences in terrain and makes it possible to take advantage of slopes and levels. Two-shot holes of this char­ acter rarely call for more than one fairway bunker and frequently not any. Assuming that proper ground has been selected, the man who can build a golf course and get his results with the least number of artifi­ cial hazards and with a minimum of interference with the natural topography and atmosphere of the land, is on safe ground and his work will stand the test of time. Moreover to maintain such a course properly will not break the club’s financial back. I have used the expression “artificial hazard” a number of times. This is simply to distinguish them from the natural ones thatare not man made. But a hazard is poorly constructed in proportion to its artificial appearance. Besides, the things that make it look artificial are almost always the same things that make it expensive to keep up. In a great many places, a grassy hollow or good sheep’s fescue rough would be better than a trap. It provides the problem equally well, looks better, and of course costs practically nothing to keep up. I believe that in the future the interrupted playing areas will be used much more than they have been. You probably all know what I mean by this term. Take a hole of 400 yards in length. The first fairway area might start 100 or 125 yards from the tee and con­ tinue to the 300-yard point. The next area might cover the 50 yards in front of the green. These areas should be irregular in shape and 88 May, 1927 when skilfully formed, can be made to add much to the golf picture. I do not believe that the spaces between should be like the rough, but simply not fertilized or watered like the playing areas. Another chance to save money. This type of fairway also helps to supply an excellent objective for each shot. Wherever it is at all possible, no tee should ever be built that will not permit cutting with a triplex. This means keep them at ground level, or when necessary to raise be sure the side slopes are drawn out well. The slopes around greens should also be gentle and if they are to be of grass why not see to it that they can be mowed by a triplex and thus economically maintained. If trees are to be planted insist that varieties are chosen that will keep to a minimum the nuisance and expense of cluttered fairways m the fall. If traps are built shallow with the sides toward the green rivetted, they are not only better looking, keep dryer and give better visibility, but you can use a chain harrow to keep them in shape and save some more upkeep. It is amazing to find that on courses built within recent years, some of the faster and thicker growing grasses are used in the rough and on mounds and in hollows. This is not such a common error since the existence of the Green Section. It is now pretty generally understood that sheep’s fescue makes an ideal grass for such pur­ poses. It provides* a fine contrast to the fairways and greens, is a tair penalty for a wayward shot, balls are not hard to find in it and mowing is not required more than twice a season. I have endeavored to point out to you the close relationship be­ tween construction and maintenance and show at least some ways in which savings may be effected. But I would not have you under­ stand that I am making any sweeping condemnation of all courses. We all know that there are a goodly number of first-class courses h?CiluS jWT iinG- architecture and excellent construction. On the ^an?’ ‘3e^eve that most courses have entirely too many traps mat are badly placed and poorly constructed; that cost too much money to maintain and that their removal would help the average P ayer» improve appearances, reduce upkeep and practically leave your star players unaffected. In conclusion, I want to make a plea for greater simplicity both in constiuction and maintenance. In the effort to meet the demand or perfection, are we not guilty of over-refinement, and is there not ger of the grand old game losing some of the ruggedness that has Deen ?ssociated with it in the past? Hazards and rough , n^Ver be unplayable, but neither should they be so groomed advpnhwo111 ^hat a visit constitutes a mere incident instead of an plant I” an eff°rt *° giid the lily, take care lest we kill the contain OJV1Cna w^° ^as Srown crops knows that a soil must that of thp^k^ aTS water» and the amount of one will vary with space not nrrnn^'i J” ot?er words, the air of a soil occupies that waJ?r» an(i when the proportion of the two is about eonal anout equal optimum conditions prevail. May, 1927 89 Observations on Turf Experiments at Gainesville, Fla. By H. L. Westover For some time the office of Forage Crops of the United States De­ partment of Agriculture has been cooperating with the Florida State Experiment Station at Gainesville, Fla., in conducting experiments to improve the pasture, lawn, and turf grasses. More recently the United States Golf Association Green Section entered into the co­ operation, in so far as the improvement of turf grasses is concerned, by appropriating funds to assist in supporting the investigations. During the latter part of December, I had the opportunity of going over these experiments in detail, and 1 want to say that if any of you are interested in southern turf grasses a visit to these experi­ mental plots will be well worth while. You will find Prof. W. E. Stokes, who is in charge of the experiments, very agreeable and very ap­ proachable, and he will, I am sure, be glad to go over the work with you and give you the benefit of such information as he has acquired through his several years of experience. The experiments in question are located on a soil type designated by the Bureau of Soils as Norfolk sand and consists of a grayish- brown-rather-porous sand which extends to a depth of several feet. There is a considerable area of the type of soil in the Coastal Plains area of the southeastern states. The soil is naturally rather low in fertility and generally deficient in humus. Relatively heavy applica­ tions of commercial fertilizer are essential to the vigorous growth of most turf grasses and many other crops. There are at present under observation approximately 100 plots including plots of all sizes and subdivisions of certain of the larger plots. These plots include tests with several promising grasses, tests with different fertilizers, topdressing experiments, investigations of the value of various methods of planting, etc. . The turf experiments in cooperation with the office of Forage Crops began at Gainesville in 1922. The test included plots of Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum) ; broad leaved carpet grass (Axonopus compressus) ; centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides); St. Augus­ tine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatiim) ; ordinary Bermuda, Giant Bermuda, ordinary carpet grass, blue couch (Digitaria didactyla); “lovey lovey” grass (Andropogon aciculatus); Dallas grass (Pas­ palum dilatatum); Manila grass (Osterdamia matrella) ; Japanese lawn grass (Osterdamia japonica) ; and Osterdamia tenuifolia. An effort has been made to give these plots treatment similar to that re­ ceived by the average city lawn. They have been cut every week or ten days and watered as needed. Under such treatment most of the plots have developed fairly satisfactory turf, the most unsatisfactory grass being broad leaved carpet, which is very susceptible to the attacks of an unidentified disease. Two years ago, the plots having then been established two years, were divided lengthwise into three strips. Since that time the strip on one side of each plot has been fertilized regularly with ammonium sulfate, the strip on the other side with nitrate of soda, while the center strip in each case has been left unfertilized as a check. The soil has been tested at regular intervals to determine the effect of the fertilizer on the degree of acidity. In the beginning the soil was slightly acid. The plots treated with ammonimum sulfate are slowly 90 May, 1927 increasing in acidity, and those treated with nitrate of soda are gradually becoming less acid. At present there is no apparent dif­ ference in the growth of the various grasses under the two fertilizer treatments, though each has resulted in marked improvement over the untreated plots. So far the character and amount of weed growth seems to have been affected very little by the two fertilizers, the one with acid and the other with alkaline reaction. In the Bermuda plots the portion receiving nitrate of soda seems to have considerably more crab grass, though this may be merely a coincidence. It is apparent that more time will be required to change the soil reaction sufficiently to affect the weed growth to any perceptible degree. The early turf experiments carried under lawn conditions served to indicate the grasses that might be expected to make successful lawns in the South. They also indicated that certain grasses, par­ ticularly the finer textured ones, have considerable promise for put­ ting greens, while others which were too coarse for this purpose might be of value on fairways. While the cooperation between the United States Golf Associa­ tion Green Section and the Florida Experiment Station really began m 1923, the first year was devoted largely to preliminary investiga­ tions and preparation for future tests It was not until the spring of 1925 that plots were established for the purpose of determining the reaction of the most promising grasses to putting green condi­ tions. For the purpose of making these necessary observations the following plots were established: Atlanta strain of Bermuda, which is the finest strain of Bermuda at present available, and therefore most desirable for putting greens. Arizona Bermuda, the seed of which comes from Arizona and which contains a considerable proportion of the finer strain similar to Atlanta. St. Lucie grass, a fine strain of Bermuda without root stocks. Blue couch grass (Digitaria didactyla), an Australian grass much like Bermuda, but with no rhizomes and having a decidedly bluish green color. Centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides), a native of China, with surface creeping runners much like carpet grass. Manila grass (Osterdamia rnatrella), a Japanese grass, which makes a fine, but tough, beautiful green turf and is closely related to the Japanese lawn grass. All plots were started vegetatively with the exception of Arizona Bermuda and centipede grass. Before planting, the west half of each plot was topdressed with about two inches of Gainesville sandy loam, nls a S°B containing some clay and more humus than the Norfolk. Soon after the plots were started they were divided length- j three strips. Since the first month, one side has been ertnized every two weeks throughout the year with ammonium sul- jate, the other side with ammonium phosphate, while the center has een left untreated as a check. The fertilizer has been applied at a la e equivalent to 1,000 pounds per acre per year. The plots have T u n*. jPd1 essed frequently with soil similar to that on which it is pr.;? e.( ’-ii e half with Norfolk sand, and the west half with nri'T'* e saiK-v ]oam- During the summer they are cut every day, and during the winter every other day. An effort is made to keep May, 1927 91 the growth down to 3 16 of an inch. The frequency of watering varies with the amount of rainfall. Up to the present time the fertilizers have exerted no influence on the weed growth, though they have improved the turf materially over the untreated checks. More time must elapse before the soil reaction will be changed sufficiently to affect the character or amount of weed growth to any extent. The portion of the plots planted on Gainesville sandy loam made somewhat more rapid growth from the first and covered the ground more quickly. At the present time, however, as a result of frequent applications of fertilizer the part planted on Norfolk sand is nearly equal to that planted on Gaines­ ville sandy loam, with the exception of the Manila grass, which is The lawn grass experimental plots at Gainesville, Fla. Golf turf experimental plots lie to right and left of this area. appreciably better on the end of the plot that received a topdressing of Gainesville soil. The outstanding plot so far as present appear­ ance is concerned is blue couch grass, which seems especially suited to sandy soils. It has a uniform texture and pleasing bluish-green color. Some golfers who have visited the plots voiced objection to this grass on the ground that it is too soft, but it is believed that this condition can be remedied by closer clipping. The Atlanta strain of Bermuda developed a satisfactory turf. It is perhaps a little finer than the plot of Arizona Bermuda established from seed, though the difference is very slight. St. Lucie grass is very similar to the other Bermuda plots. Indeed, at the present time the plots of these three strains of Bermuda are very similar, and so far as a putting surface is concerned all could be improved by closer cutting. The Manila 92 May, 1927 has been rather slow to cover the ground, and while it makes a dense fine turf, the stiffness of the leaves renders it somewhat objection­ able for putting greens. It should be well suited for use on tees. Centipede grass proved the least satisfactory of all those tried under putting green conditions. It is coarse and when kept cut close it becomes thin, exposing the runners and resulting in a very unsatis­ factory putting surface. Furthermore, the open turf gives abun­ dant opportunity for weeds to develop. Everything considered, the blue couch and the three strains of Bermuda are the only grasses in the test that offer much promise for putting greens, though centi­ pede grass may be of value on fairways. While it starts rather slowly, it crowds out almost any other grass that it comes in com- Some of the irolf turf experimental plots at Gainesville, Fla. eblWon not excluding Bermuda and carpet grass. It is very tnrv * carpet grass in its habits and should be just as satisfac­ tory for fairways. In June, 1926, an experiment was started to determine the most economical method of planting Bermuda greens. Op two plots the p an s were set by hand as closely as possible, and on two others the pC were spread over the surface and covered with a thin layer vPffXrSlriU arrr!° ^le method employed in planting creeping bent xtwo methods resulted in satisfactory putting sur- fi„v f. / a out J116 same length of time but the former required ail ! man plant one P,ot 10 x 25 feet, while under the latter saving in^alior' aiea Was P^an^ec^ *n one hour, resulting in a great May, 1927 93 In a fertilizer experiment started in 1926 on Atlanta Bermuda, ammonium sulfate was applied at rates of 2,000, 3,000 and 5,000 pounds per acre per year, and unfertilized checks. The plot receiv­ ing an application equivalent to 5,000 pounds per acre per year is at present the most beautiful plot in the entire series. While such heavy applications are not considered practicable they will be con­ tinued to determine the effect on the grass and weeds of such large quantities of ammonium sulfate. It is evident that considerable money can profitably be spent for fertilizers that will save hand labor in weeding. While a fair turf had been established on the un­ fertilized plot by merely keeping the soil well watered the grass had a brown, lifeless appearance and could not be regarded as a satis­ factory putting surface. Another interesting test was planned to determine the effect of depth of covering stolons of centipede and Manila grasses on subse­ quent growth. On some plots the stolons were barely covered, while on other plots the stolons were covered with 3 inches of soil. There are no apparent differences in these plots at the present time. In a test to determine the effect of cutting newly planted plots it was found that those plots which were clipped as soon as the grass had made any appreciable growth came on more rapidly than those that were permitted to make considerable growth before they were cut. In other words, early and frequent clippings had a tendency to hasten the formation of a satisfactory turf. In another test with Atlanta Bermuda, blue couch, and Arizona Bermuda, part of the plots had a topdressing of compost and part were planted on Norfolk sand with no compost. As might be ex­ pected, the plots treated with compost started off more rapidly. Some interesting studies have been made to determine the char­ acter of the root systems of the various turf grasses. It has been found that practically all of the grasses develop quite a mass of roots to a depth of 3^ or 4 feet. Below this the roots are not abun­ dant, although some have been traced to a depth of 7 feet. It should be remembered that, as stated at the beginning, the soil on which these grasses are growing is very sandy. It has been shown in pre­ vious investigations that grass roots do not penetrate to any such depth on heavy compact soils. In summarizing the outstanding features in these various tests we find that the only promising putting green grasses among those tested are the various strains of Bermuda and the blue couch grass. It is reported that blue couch grass is being used on some of the putting greens around Palm Beach and Miami, usually in mixture with Bermuda. For fairways, particularly in the flat woods area, carpet grass is apparently the outstanding grass. There is some indication that centipede grass may be fully as good and while somewhat slower to start is apparently more aggressive than either carpet or Bermuda. In the pasture experiments at Gainesville, carpet grass has done better than Bermuda, even on the higher well-drained areas, con­ ditions for which Bermuda has been generally recommended. These three grasses should be tested further under varying soil and climatic conditions, to determine definitely their relative value. Some of the Zoysias or Osterdamias, such as Manila grass and Japanese lawn grass, appear to have some promise for use on tees. 94 May, 1927 They are especially tough but unfortunately are rather slow to cover the ground. Osterdamia temiifolia would be especially desir­ able for this purpose were it not for the fact that it grows very slowly. It forms a tough turf and is so dwarfed in its habit of growth that it seldom, if ever, requires cutting. It has been shown that it is possible to start turf grasses on the Norfolk sand without manure or compost, depending on subsequent watering and fertilizer treatment to produce good turf. It is true that compost applied to the soil speeds up the early growth of the grass, but after a few months have elapsed little difference is ap­ parent. The value of frequent and liberal applications of fertilizer on porous soils that leach rapidly has been amply demonstrated. It also appears advisable to continue applications throughout the year at intervals of two weeks. By doing this last winter, which was about as cold as normal, the Bermuda grass was maintained in a green condition throughout the winter. After the cold spells the grass sometimes was brown for a few days, but the frequent fer­ tilizer applications stimulated new growth and the clippings every other day soon disposed of the leaves that had been brown by the frost. So far there has been no apparent difference from the use of am­ monium sulfate, nitrate of soda, or ammonium phosphate. The am­ monium sulfate is equal to any, but seemingly no better. However, more time will be.required to change the acid reaction of the soil sufficiently to show any appreciable effect on the grass. UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION SUB-COMMITTEES FOR 1927 B • u f Golf Committee—Howard F. Whitney, Chairman, 49 Wall St., New York, N. Y.. James Ch»ru! n Upr;i Jw Freder‘c Byers, F’ndlay S. Douglas, Robert A. Gardner, Cornelius S. Lee, Charles O. Pfeil, Wynant D. Vanderpool, George H. Walker, Frederick S. Wheeler, Alan D. Wilson. Ramsay, Chairman, 110 East 42d St., New York, N. Y„ FindlhaavmqiOn™.iPi rinuiay b. Douglas, Rodman E. Gnscom, James D. Standish, Jr., Herbert Jaques, H. C. Mackall. YorkIenNerv’lPwann r\e Chairman, 900 Metropolitan Life Bldg., Minne- V‘ R°tl Roger D‘ Lapham’ Robert W- Lesley’ MeMn AP Trayk"™HeTben Jaques ’ Ill.SReobertnAOf Srdner. 57m^tD%uX,A jrTray'°r’ Chairman> First National Bank’ Chicag°’ MaIrPFhidHv s” n^'i Ba« Committee—Herbert Jaques, Chairman. 11 Waterford St.. Boston, Mass., rindlay S. Douglas. Henry H. Wilder, George V. Rotan. James D. Standish, Jr. Pa George°HS Committee-J. Frcderic Byers, Chairman. 235 Water St., Pittsburgh, „ u. T Walker- Howard F. Whitney, Paul Moore, Frederick S. Wheeler. Publicity—H. H. Ramsay, 110 East 42d St., New York, N. Y. MelvinaXeTra5o?EdSMdms? M^re.arle® Sabin' Chairman- 140 Broadway, New York, N. Y.. Executive Commith>^c^~Jatnn D' Standish, Jr., Chairman, 315 Ford Bldg., Detroit, Mich Connecticut A™ wTshin^" nPe'/’ “arine Trust Bldg., Buffalo. N- Y.; Henry L. West, 2701 Jay Burke 203‘PosYnffi^q?! D-G-: George W. Klockson. 113 E. 3d St., Dayton, Ohio; John A Lindo Fowler F M "m1 lVsburKh- Pa : S- *’• Germain. Roger D. Lapham. A. S. Kerry, Joseph G Davis Ira’MCl dbwt.°,f his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, management. .tc„ of the aforesaid puolication for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in section 411, Postal Laws and Regulations, to wit: 1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing editor, and business manager are: I ublisher. United States Golf Association. 110 East Forty-second Street, New York. Washi"Kton' D' : business manager, G. T. Cunningham*? Washington?* D. C ’ ’ under the** J^'iZZ pJt Saving ‘no^iU^^On- “ C°rp°ration <^anized and existing 3. That there are no outstanding bonds, mortgages, or other securities. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 2(>th day of March. 1927. (Signed) G. T. CUNNINGHAM, Business Manager. I Seal) (My commission expires August 6. 1927.1 (Signed) BERNARD CONNOR. May, 1927 99 Why the Green Section? An ;\ddress by Alex Pirie, President of the P. G. A., Delivered at the Annual Meeting of the U. S. G. A. Green Section at Pittsburgh, Jan. 7, 1927. Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: Well, I feel it quite an honor to be asked to come to this Association and talk, not for my­ self, but for my Association which I have the honor to represent at the present time. At the same time, I feel very much like the old Scotchman by the name of Jock Brown must have felt. He had been drinking pretty heavy. His business was peddling fish in a cab, and on his way home he fell asleep in the cab by the side of the road. Somebody came along and thought they would play a joke on the old fellow, and they took out the horse and turned it loose, knowing of course the horse would go on home and leave old Jock sitting on the street sound asleep. When he woke up he rubbed his eyes and looked around. “Well,” he says, “if I am Jock Brown, I have lost a horse; and if I am not Jock Brown I have found a cab.” After all the technical explanations for the treatment of the green which the trained men of the Green Section have shown us and told us about, that is really about how I feel, but it answers the question of “Why the Green Section?” After Mr. Fitts finished this morning, the Chairman asked for questions, and there were no questions. I was sitting beside Alex Campbell, and he said nobody was going to ask any questions about greens, because everybody has good greens; and that was another answer to “Why the Green Section?” I think that the Green Section began when Messrs. Piper and Oakley wrote their book on “Turf for Golf Courses.” That was the inception of the Green Section. It is only six years ago since it was properly organized; in its present shape, well, you all know what it has done and what it is leading up to. So there is no use of my taking up your time by any more explanation of what the Green Section has done. The outstanding things from a greenkeeper’s viewpoint that have been done, the startling methods of economy in seeding, fercilizing, and in the application of poisonous substances for worms, and so forth, need not be gone into by me. Before the Green Section started its work on golf courses, we were all going along pretty much in the dark. We had a fairly good idea of what we could do, but we did not know enough to know how to do it. In the six years of the Green Section’s official existence, we have learned more about the whys and wherefores than we had in all the years before in which men have been playing golf on green grass. That is also an answer to “Why the Green Section?” I believe this officially finishes the sixth volume of The Bulletin. I have them all, and I am proud to be able to say I have them all. In that bulletin I have learned many, many things, and some of the things I have forgotten that I read in that bulletin, but the majority of them were new and I have remembered them. What does this do to a greenkeeper? It teaches him, and sometimes he wonders how he has been taught, how he came to know about such and such a thing. Now if he sits down himself and begins to trace back, he will find 100 May, 1927 that the most of his advanced information for the past six years has come directly through the Green Section, either from the personal representatives, or through The Bulletin. That is another answer to “Why the Green Section?” If there should be any criticism of the Green Section’s work from the greenkeeper’s viewpoint, it might be this: That they have not ob­ tained the close cooperation from the working greenkeepers of the country which might have been given to the trained men of the Green Section, but this condition is understandable. The older greenkeepers felt that they had spent their lives in learn­ ing what they knew, and do not forget we have learned more in the last six years than we have in the previous twenty, and there has been more or less of a tendency to look upon the trained man as something over their heads, and something not quite to be trusted. The whole future, and I believe it is a great future, for the Green Section, must be changed from that very understanding, which I be­ lieve is now about to go into working effect with the practical work­ ing greenkeepers’ organization of the country. It might have been because of the fact that the greenkeepers had no organization through which practical experience could be “swapped” for theory, if I may use the word “swapped.” I will take that back—through which prac­ tical experience and theoretical experience can get on a common meet­ ing ground. Now, the greenkeepers throughout the country have organized themselves, and if I may be allowed to make the suggestion, I would suggest that in addition to all the work of the Green Section through­ out the clubs and through the chairmen of the green committees that they cultivate a closer and more intimate co-partnership, or coopera­ tion rather, with the greenkeepers of the country. I think really, gentlemen, that that is the only thing that is needed now in order to get the full benefit of all of these six years of splendid work on the part of the Green Section. Speaking of experimental stations, if such an intimacy—or if such cooperation, rather—were established with the different green­ keepers’ associations, there would not be any trouble at all about ex­ perimental stations, because I am quite sure there is no club for which any greenkeeper works that would not gladly give a piece of their ground for an experimental station, and I can imagine no hap­ pier and no greater opportunity of cooperation than to see the trained men come to a practical agreement with us, and discuss our problems together on the ground, through which they may arrive at a solution. The Green Section announces that seed analyses and germination tests as well as analyses of fertilizers can not be made without cost to the clubs requesting such service. Owing to the large number of such requests made to the Department of Agriculture it is not pos­ sible for its analysts to give preferred service to anyone. For this reason the Green Section must seek the help of competent commercial analysts and will charge the interested clubs no more than the fee asked by the firm actually making the tests. May, 1927 101 Municipal and Public Golf Just how Municipal Golf has expanded since the first public golf course was opened at Van Cortlandt Park in New York City in 1895 is forcefully presented in a booklet just issued by the United States Golf Association. One hundred and forty-eight cities maintaining 208 Municipal and Public Golf Courses are presented, distributed through 37 States and the District of Columbia. Statistics supplied by 120 courses giving the number of 9-hole rounds played during the year 1925 show a total of 5,744,104 rounds. Ninety courses furnished information as to the cost of maintenance in the amount of $1,298,241, an average of $14,425 per course. Indi­ vidual course maintenance costs range from $2,000 to $40,000 per annum, the lower figures applying to courses with sand greens. Play­ ing fees are as low as 5 cents per round of 9 holes and as high as $1.00 per day. A majority of the Municipal Courses are similar in their charges, 25 cents for 18 holes, with this charge doubled on Sat­ urdays, Sundays and holidays, -where on a good many courses the patronage is tripled. Eleven courses listed are maintained free from playing charges. A large majority of the courses are self-sustaining, exploding the old theory that a Municipal Golf Course is a charge on the taxpayer. Probably the longest Municipal Course is maintained by the city of Denver, Colo., known as the City Park Municipal Course, which is 6,767 yards in length and a par of 74. Rockford, Ill., enjoys a 9-hole course of 3,511 yards with a par of 35. The shortest course appears to be the one located in Jermain Park, Toledo, Ohio, which is only 815 yards long, par 27. Municipal Golf Courses that have been main­ tained by cities for twenty-five years or more are: Franklin Park Course, Boston, Mass., opened in 1896; Ottawa Park Course, Toledo, Ohio; Riverside Course, Indianapolis, opened 1898; Lake Golf Course, Milwaukee; Cherokee Park, Louisville; Wing Park Course, Elgin, Ill., opened 1900; Burnet Park, Syracuse, N. Y.; Waveland Course, Des Moines, Iowa, opened 1901; Genesee Valley Course, Rochester, N. Y., opened in 1902. Savannah, Ga., park officials have started construct­ ing golf courses on a most pretentious scale, and in December, 1926, dedicated an 18-hole course, the first of four to be built on a tract of 714 acres. Thirty-two years ago the City of New York, through its Depart­ ment of Parks, authorized the construction of a 9-hole golf course in Van Cortlandt Park. This appears to be the pioneer movement in the United States for the establishment of Municipal Golf Courses. In the first four years the attendance had grown to such an extent that the Park Department felt justified in enlarging the course, and it was rebuilt and extended to 18 holes. In November, 1899, the new course was formally opened with a tournament in which 120 players competed. A. G. Hamilton is recorded as the winner, and the news­ papers of that period state that he “Lived within a stone’s throw of the grandest public golf course in the world.” It was also stated that he had been identified with the Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey for many years. Pictures of scenes during that event bear little resemblance to the attire worn at the present time by golfers, and it is quite doubtful if a contestant of today would have the cour­ age to appear on a course wearing a Derby hat. 102 May, 1927 In September, 1896, the Van Cortlandt Park Golf Club was organized at a meeting held in the Vanderbilt Building, Nassau and Beekman Streets, New York City. Twenty-one members were enrolled and the entrance fee was fixed at $2.00 with annual dues of the same amount. The officers elected were: President, C. S. Jensen; vice-president, A. Owles; secretary, A. P. Meyer; and treas­ urer, W. E. Kingsbury. In 1922 the United States Golf Association inaugurated and conducted the first Public Links Championship at Ottawa Park in Toledo, Ohio. During the five years that these cham­ pionships have been held 44 cities have been represented, three of this number being Canadian cities. Not more than 30 cities have been represented at any one tourney. The annual staging of this com­ petition has served in no small way to arouse the interest of munic­ ipal authorities throughout the country and set them planning for the construction of public golf courses, especially in those localities where the recreation officials have been backward in providing facili­ ties for the playing of the game. The number of Municipal Golf Courses opened each year since 1922 has been most gratifying, and in 1823 nineteen courses were opened; in 1924, fifteen courses; in 1925, the banner year, twenty-one courses were ready for the public golfer, and this number was duplicated in 1926. This year nine more cities are preparing to dedicate Municipal Golf Courses. A large number of Municipal Golf Courses have regularly organized golf clubs and associations which serve to promote the interest of the members in the playing of the game, its etiquette and the proper enforcement of the rules. Only a small proportion of the courses listed in the booklet, sixty in all, have supplied information as to membership in each club. These 60 clubs have enrolled 15,842 players, but this total does not include clubs identified with the various New York City courses. When the late Hon. Warren G. Harding was President of the United States in 1923, he donated a trophy for competition between cities, and this is now known as the Inter-City Team Championship. Four players are nominated by each city that enters a team, and the trophy is retained by the city returning the winning team for one year, and each member of the team receives a gold medal. Whenever the players from the city of Chicago win the Harding Trophy it is placed on exhibition in the City Hall, so that all may see that the humble public links player has at last been recognized and afforded an opportunity to journey forth and match his skill against brother golfers from all sections of the country. TO MEASURE THE AREA OF A GREEN Rectangular. Multiply the length in feet by the breadth in feet. Allowance should be made for projections from or indentations into the rectangle. Circular. Take the distance from the center to the outside and multiply it by itself. Then multiply the product by 3.1416. Triangular. Multiply the length of one side by half the distance from the middle of that side to the tip of the triangle. Oral or Elliptic. Add the long diameter to the short diameter, divide by 4, multiply the resulting figure by itself, and then multiply this final figure by 3.1416. May, 1927 103 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS All questions sent to the Green Section will be answered in a letter to the writer as promptly as possible. The more interesting of these questions, with concise answers, will appear in this column each month. If your experience leads you to disagree with any answer given in this column, it is your privilege and duty to write to the Green Section. While most of the answers are of general application, please bear in mind that each recommendation is intended specifically for the locality designated at the end of the question. 1. European red fescue and Chewings’ (or New Zealand) red fescue.—Are these two red fescues the same? (California.) Answer.—No. Chewings’ fescue (Festuca rubra fallax) is a European grass introduced in New Zealand. It is one of the numer­ ous varieties of red fescue, about forty of which occur in Europe, The European seed is mainly true red fescue (Festuca rubra genuina) but with a little seed of other fescues intermixed, usually including sheep’s fescue. The New Zealand variety does not creep as widely as the European, but there is not great difference in the two. If any­ thing, the latter is the better, but neither of them is to be recom- mended except on sandy or gravelly soils. The seeds of the two can be distinguished only by the impurities which each contains. 2. Exterminating groundhogs.—The new course here is infested with groundhogs. What is the best way of exterminating them? (Vermont.) Answer.—We know of no better method of getting rid of these animals than to place a tablespoonful of calcium cyanide in each burrow and then close the mouth of the burrow. This material should be placed far enough down the mouth of the burrow so as not to be covered with the soil used for stopping up the hole. 3. Comparative Value of Different Manures.—In the preparation of land for several new fairways we are about to construct, we nave advice from one source to fertilize it first with horse manure, while another source advises us not to use horse manure under any circum­ stances but that sheep manure should be used, and still another source advises us that the proper thing to do is to grow a crop of peas on the land first and turn it under. We shall appreciate your suggestions in the matter. (Virginia.) Answer.—The character of turf grass can always be regulated by fertilizing the established turf from the top, and in the end this is just as cheap and more satisfactory than trying to get the soil rich enough to grow turf indefinitely without fertilizing. As for the value of the different manures, cow manure gives the best results. Horse manure is excellent, and so are some grades of sheep manure. If you buy any manure, we would advise you to buy that which is cheapest, as the differences between them are of minor importance when cost is considered. As for growing a crop of peas on the land and plowing it under, that is an excellent plan, provided you are in position to wait a year longer, as it will take that long for a crop to mature. The better strains of creeping bent never form a “grain” because of the fact that under turf conditions their blades are so crowded together as to stand upright. But unless constant care is taken to keep the putting surface keen these desirable strains will become “fluffy,” building up such a mat of turf that contact with the ground is lost and the putting surface becomes slow and untrue. Daily close cutting and light topdressings applied at regular inter­ vals throughout the playing season can not be dispensed with if greens of this type are to be kept firm and true. At least once during the season, preferably in the early spring, the turf should be brushed or raked to bring the runners and long stems to the surface. After close mowing the operation should be repeated, this time the turf being raked and mowed at right angles to the line first taken. The turf at the left of the photograph was a putting surface well above the average. That on the right has been raked and mowed as above described and was practically perfect even before being lightly topdressed. The difference in texture of the turf to right and left can be dis­ tinctly seen. Turf so treated is not injured even for a short time. On the con­ trary, it seems to be stimulated by this shallow cultivation. But if a thick dense mat has been allowed to form, a temporary setback is inevitable. It must be endured, however, if uniform, fast, true put­ ting surfaces are desired.