BETTER LAWN

PUBLISHED PERIODICALLY BY THE NEWS BUREAU OF 

BETTER LAWN & TURF INSTITUTE -

Harvests 

SUITE 818 - 1016 BALTIMORE BUILDING 

KANSAS CITY 5, MISSOURI

Volume 8 No. 8

December, 1961

BOARD RULES ON SEAL DURING WESTERN

The Lawn Institute Board voted to do the following at the Board Meeting called by 
President Gassner on November 10:

1.  Voted that the Seal, when used on package mixtures, would command 1/2 cent 

per pound royalty for the 1962 calendar year.

2.  Set minimum standards for use of the Seal on seed blends involving single 

species.

3. Instructed the Director to explore further the possibilities for bluegrass join­

ing fine fescues in application for a mowing order.

4. Created a new category, "Sponsor" membership, to enlist allied corporations 

---with financial participation according to the resources and prestige of the 
corporation.

The following are highlights of the minutes of the November 10 Board meeting:

"President Gassner acknowledged formal acceptance of the Northern Minnesota 
Bluegrass Growers Association as participants in the Lawn Institute. The Board 
seat created for this association at the annual meeting in May is to be occupied by 
Mr. Gustav Kveen. Mr, Charles Habstritt of the Northern Minnesota Bluegrass 
Growers Association also visted Kansas City, but was forced to leave before the 
Board sessions, although having discussed matters of interest with Director Schery 
the preceding evening.

Agenda items were considered as outlined in the mimeograph sheet circulated to 
Board members. After considerable discussion on the royalty to be assessed 
against usage of the seal for 1962, it was moved by Spears, seconded by Kellogg, 
and passed, that the royalty be set at l/2¢ per pound, with no qualifications as to 
how this money would be spent. Whether members of the Institute already paying 
on the processing of seed should also be subjected to royalty on the seal was dis­
cussed; it was the general agreement they should be, and that exceptions should 
not be made.

There was no vote concerning change of standards for seed mixtures sold in the 
South, but it was the sense of the meeting that the Lawn Institute should proceed 
slowly in making exceptions to the present grasses and their qualifications. Roy 
Edwards believed that in the only case where the question has come up (an affiliate 
of his company), that no problems would arise if hesitancy were shown in granting 
the seal. It was felt that the seal should be made workable for the main marketing 
area in the North before additional problems were tackled in the South.

Lengthy discussion ensued on what should be acceptable purity and germination 
standards for "straights" (blends of bluegrass, or other grass species singly). 
While it was recognized that eventually it might be desirable to set purity and 
germination figures for seed in mixtures, the problem so far has concerned only 
"straights", where light seed could qualify for the seal by present standards.

In order that grasses represented by the Institute gain a top reputation for per­
formance, it was suggested that the following standards would be required for use 
of the seal on straights or blends within a species:

Natural Kentucky bluegrass - 90 purity, 75 germination 
Merion bluegrass - 92 purity, 80 germination 
Oregon fine fescues - 98 purity, 90 germination 
Highland bentgrass - 98 purity, 85 germination

Upon motion by Spears, seconded by Kellogg, it was passed that these standards 
should pertain, subject to approval by the Oregon Fescue Commission of those 
figures adopted for fine fescues, and with the understanding that these figures not 
be considered retroactive to previous agreements for which labels and packages 
may have already been designed. It was further the intent of the motion that in 
special cases where the user of the seal preferred to emphasize Pure Live Seed, 
or similar indications, that these standards could be employed on a PLS equiva­
lency basis (67.5% PLS for natural Kentucky bluegrass).

Creation of a special category of "Sponsor" membership, as outlined in the circu ­
lated mimeograph, was discussed and viewed with favor. Upon motion by Kiburz, 
seconded by Hottinger, and passed, it was decided that a sliding scale of payments 
should be established, in keeping with the size and importance of the interested 
corporation.

.....The Director was also asked to convey to Mr. Stanley Rollins, Acting Chief, 
Federal Seed Laboratory, a resolution passed unanimously, supporting the position 
advanced through ASTA channels that Poa annua should be declared a noxious weed 
in Federal and state seed lawn, and that sale of lawn grass seeds containing it be 
appropriately restricted "in order to protect the public interest, and maintain the 
reputation for quality so arduously built by reputable bluegrass, fine fescue and 
Highland bentgrass producers".

.....Director Schery reviewed briefly hopes for publicity during the coming year, 
mentioning publication of articles in specialized media. A Readex Survey of Better

Building Maintenance was reviewed, showing how the Institute article on lawns 
had achieved top reader interest in this magazine, Memb ers might suggest to 
magazines in which they advertise that similar lawn articles be carried. Prepara­
tion of an inexpensive paper-back book on lawns and landscaping is underway, as 
are tentative plans for some short television and radio releases, which possibly 
can be set up on a self-sustaining royalty basis. The Director urged all members 
to funnel to him such ideas and contacts as would enable the Institute to reach the 
public ever more effectively."

KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS-FINE FESCUES-HIGHLAND BENTGRASS RATE HIGH
AS PUTTING SURFACES FOR SOUTHEAST

The 1961 September - October "Golf Course Reporter" presents four comprehen­
sive discussions on the relative merits and hardiness of putting surfaces in this 
publication’s "Winter Green’s Symposium". Direct quotes from GCR should be 
of interest to Lawn Institute members marketing or intending to market around 
winter in the southeast region:

"Through February and March the fescues continued to be outstanding. Poa 
trivialis and the ryes weakened while Penncross, Seaside and Highland bentgrasses 
looked very good. Kentucky and Delta bluegrasses became dense and exhibited 
very good color.

"In April the fescues and Kentucky bluegrass had excellent appearance. Penn- 
cross, Seaside, and Highland bentgrasses were very dense and provided the best 
putting qualities.

"By the first week in May the Tifgreen bermudagrass was in excellent condition 
and the check plots rated as highly as any of the over seeded plots in all rating 
categories. Penncross, Seaside and Highland bentgrasses and Kentucky bluegrass 
plots rated high at this time in all departments. The fescue plots were slightly 
off color, but still looked very uniform and dense.

"Only the bentgrasses and Kentucky bluegrass remained by the middle of June.
The bentgrass blended very well with the bermudagrass, but the bluegrass, with 
its very upright growth, showed a difference in texture.

"A very gradual transition was noted with all of the fescues and with the bluegrass­
es. Poa trivialis and the ryegrasses faded out in a spotty, undesirable fashion 
and contained quite a bit of disease from March on.

"It appeared that Poa trivialis, the ryegrasses, and the fescues had the best dis­
ease resistance until the first of March. The bentgrasses and Kentucky bluegrass 
were most tolerant from then on.

"These results would suggest that Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescues, or Highland 
bentgrass - or mixtures of them - make adequate putting surfaces when introduced 
into dormant Bermudagrass, provided proper techniques of introduction and estab­
lishment are undertaken. There is no reason why similar excellent results would

not occur on Bermudagrass lawns, if investigation uncovers an easy way of estab­
lishment for quality lawn seed mixtures of the North. Of course lighter seeding 
rates than with ryegrass, and some publicity to point out the much higher seed 
count on northern grass mixtures would need be undertaken. The market should 
be a good one, since it would involve annual reseedings."

COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO SPEARHEAD PRODUCER COOPERATION

During the November 10 Board Meeting a committee was appointed to explore ways 
for joint action and merging of interests between Midwestern producer members 
of the Lawn Institute and non-member producers located in the Pacific Northwest, 
In consolidating the efforts of these groups it would be possible to realize greater 
effectiveness for all concerned. With the recommendation of the Board of Direc­
tors of the Lawn Institute, President Gassner appointed Roy Edwards, Jr., 
Chairman; Ken Christensen; William Gassner, ex officio, to pursue the possibili­
ties of enlisting bluegrass grower support in the Pacific-Northwest. It was felt in 
passing the unanimous resolution asking these men to serve that only through their 
efforts as heads of major corporations having interests in the region could pro­
gress be made in encouraging growers to share Institute responsibility for promo­
tion of quality lawn seeds such as bluegrass, fine fescues and bentgrasses.

SCHERY STORY SCORES IN "BUILDING MAINTENANCE & MODERNIZATION"

Readex, a nationally-known organization established to determine the amount of 
reader interest in published stories and advertisements, recently reported extreme 
interest in an Institute-released story. The article, "Autumn Lawn Care" by 
Dr. Schery appeared in the September issue of "Building Maintenance and Modern­
ization". According to Readex, this story was read and found to be the most inter­
esting article in the publication by the greatest number of readers. It received the 
highest readership score (61%) in that issue of the magazine.

BLUEGRASS MIXTURES GENERALLY PREFERRED TO BERMUDA IN
ALBUQUERQUE

It would seem that either Kentucky bluegrass or bermuda thrives in the Albuquerque 
area, but both depend upon watering. Bluegrass has much the longer season being 
potentially green nearly the year around. During a recent visit on September 16, 
Dr. Schery conferred with Dr. Dittmer, the Lawn Institute advisor and Dean of the 
University of New Mexico. Dr. Dittmer observed that watering Buffalo grass 
plantings, blue Grama, and even African Bermuda caused these to give way to 
clover, common Bermuda, or volunteer Kentucky bluegrass, which does especially 
well in the shaded areas. It was also noted that the presence of clover on the better 
lawns provided an obvious nitrogen boost to African Bermuda.

DUPONT NOW OFFERING LAWN PRODUCTS LINE

DuPont has recently introduced a complete line of dry granular lawn products with

a compatible spreader to complete this new consumer lawncare "package”. 
Products include fertilizer, insecticides, crabgrass controls and related pesti­
cides. No seed is handled, only chemicals. This is the first attempt by DuPont 
to market its own metal spreader, apparently patterned after the many drop-from- 
hopper models on the market.

ADVOCATES NATURAL KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS FOR AVERAGE CONDITIONS;
MERION FOR LAWNS RECEIVING EXCEPTIONAL CARE

On October 16 Dr. Schery visited Dr. James Tyson at Michigan State University 
and summarized Dr. Tyson’s attitudes and observations as follows:

"Dr. Tyson continues to recommend natural Kentucky bluegrass for average con­
ditions, Merion for lawns capable of being superbly tended. He feels that at least 
two pounds of actual nitrogen per year are needed to keep Merion, and his test 
area this year showed Merion to be very poor and weedy where it did not receive 
at least this much fertilizer - much worse than was Park or natural Kentucky 
bluegrass.

"One interesting observation contrary to the usual expectation, was a planting on 
muck soil this autumn, in which natural Kentucky bluegrass was first to sprout, 
followed then by Merion, and last by Newport.

"Of the varieties, Tyson feels that Park is much the same as natural Kentucky 
bluegrass, but should have a little more fertilizer. Delta has proven susceptible 
to diseases more than most bluegrasses, Newport has not exhibited the autumn 
growth claimed for it, CB has shown reasonably low growth and fair color.

"Growth retardants, excellent in the greenhouse, have proven of no use on the 
outdoor plots. In the course of the experiment, bluegrass had been let grow tall 
without mowing, and later when mowed back low was unable to repress weeds that 
had not appeared for five years in this turf.

"Under the cooler conditions of Michigan, ureaform fertilizer has not behaved 
well, not releasing nitrogen during the cooler seasons when it might do considera­
ble good.

"Tyson finds little difference between existing varieties of fine fescues, although 
under test is one with a code designation 237 that has proven greener and fuller all 
through the summer. This has been one of the best years for fine fescues, which 
Tyson recommends for seed mixtures in Michigan. As do most turf authorities, 
Tyson abhors tall fescue in seed mixtures.

"Tyson dislikes including bentgrass in mixtures, and suggests that if bentgrass 
is to be used it be used alone, properly tended.

"Under test are a good many combinations of sand with other amendments for 
sustaining creeping bentgrasses on golf greens. Most of the emphasis, however, 
is given turf usage applicable to the home.

LAWN INSTITUTE ACTIVITIES REVIEWED FOR DOW STAFF

The history, activities, and national role of the Lawn Institute were presented by 
Dr. Robert Schery to the Development Department of Dow’s Agricultural Chemical 
Division on Friday, October 13 at the chemical firm’s Midland, Michigan, facili­
ties. During his visit Dr. Schery was given an opportunity to inspect the research 
and test areas as well as meet several of the Dow executives including Bud Coulter 
(Agricultural Development) and Larry Southwick (Herbicides). The Dow staff 
seemed to be especially interested in building public sentiment in favor of general 
usage of chemicals for weed control and control of pests. Dr. Schery was the 
guest of the Dow group at the invitation of Mark Wiltse and during the visit had 
the opportunity to meet R. T. Williams of the Sales staff, and Bob McKeller and 
Harry Patrick of Dow’s Public Relations Department.

PORTLAND SEED AMONG ASSOCIATE MEMBERS FEATURING INSTITUTE
IDENTITY THROUGH SEAL AND CERTIFICATE

Portland Seed and its subsidiary, the Lilly Company, have taken full advantage of 
Institute Membership, by prominently displaying the membership certificate on 
the entry wall of the firm’s newly modernized quarters in Portland, Oregon. In 
addition to a place of honor for the certificate, Portland also utilizes Institute sales 
aids, with particular emphasis on the seal stickers, which are affixed to packaged 
merchandise. Fred Trullinger and his staff are to be commended for the vigor and 
imagination they have applied to utilization of the Institute’s aids.

INSTITUTE DIRECTOR VISITS JAQUET FARM IN SALEM COUNTY, OREGON

Dr. Schery had an unusual side field trip on his tour through the northwest when 
he visited the Don Jaquet Farm on September 25. Dr. Schery was accompanied by 
Hollis Ottoway, County Agent for Salem County and Fred Jans. Here are excerpts 
from Dr. Schery’s field report:

"At the time Mr. Jaquet was spraying with IPC for weed control..... the bentgrass 
is ordinarily replanted about each seven years, and may be interspersed with one 
crop of fescue..... so much bent is in the soil that generally it just comes back 
without replanting..... Certification is based upon weed content and field inspection, 
not upon genetic characteristics..... Highland is the name given for the Colonial 
bents grown in this part of Oregon.....Spraying and burning are annual hygienic 
measures needed to keep weeds and pests in control. Beautiful clean acreage 
existed on the Jaquet farm. ”

HIGHLAND BENTGRASS AND FESCUE MIXTURES PREFERRED IN OREGON 
AREA

According to a field report memorandum received from Dr. Schery on the occasion 
of his visit on September 25 to Oregon State College in Corvallis, Oregon, Dr. 
Norman Goetze of the extension staff indicated the following:

"Goetze finds that some of the Eastern bentgrasses and fescues, although grown 
in Oregon, are less satisfactory than local selections for the climate of Western 
Oregon. Penncross bentgrass "fluffs" too much, and golf course superintendents 
can’t control the thatch. Seaside is consequently preferred. Pennlawn fescue, 
chosen for its resistance to leaf spot in the East (which is not a problem in 
Oregon), actually performs more poorly than other varieties, of which Goetze 
would choose Illahee as best if he had to make a choice. He thinks that Chewings 
does not mow as well as other Oregon varieties, at least under dry conditions.

"Goetze likes Highland bentgrass, and mixtures of fescue and Highland bentgrass. 
At the seeding rates he uses in his test plots he finds that either of these species 
will push Merion bluegrass out of the picture. He has been using roughly equal 
parts of fescue and Merion bluegrass by weight, in these plantings.

"It was noted that on the plantings of C-l Newport there was a lot of rust, just as 
much as on Merion. Other selections of bluegrass looked better at the time of 
visiting.

"Although Corvallis is in 'bentgrass country' very definitely, the more continental 
climate such as prevails around Medford, for example, makes this area 'bluegrass 
country'. Consequently, Goetze is making experimental plantings up and down the 
Willamette Valley in order to determine just what he would recommend. Eventu­
ally Western Oregon seems destined to be a patchwork of 'zones’ of recommended 
seed mixtures."

DR. SCHERY INSPECTS UNIQUE TURFGRASS RESEARCH AREA IN
CALIFORNIA

Accompanied by Stanley Wilkins, Horticulturist and consulting chemist, Dr. Schery 
visited the Kaiser Building in Oakland. This unusual piece of architecture is 
famous for its rooftop garden, complete with plantings, pools, and trees. Dr. 
Schery’s comments on this area are passed on along for the information of all 
Institute members:

"Incidentally, the rooftop landscape garden at the Kaiser Building is magnificent. 
Several feet of soil have been hauled in, and the whole area meticulously land­
scaped with colorful plants, pools, trees and turf. The well kept turf is bentgrass, 
manicured like a golf green."

Visit was also paid Dr. H. M. Butterfield, Extension, University of California, 
Berkeley. It might be of interest that Dr. Butterfield feels perennial ryegrass 
does as well as bluegrass in the shade in the Bay area. Associate members in 
the area have discussed the possible employment of the Seal on mixtures contain­
ing more than our present allowable perennial ryegrass content, for the Bay area 
only.

An afternoon was spent with advisor Dr. John Madison, at the Davis experimental 
growers of the University of California. It may be of special interest to our

Highland bentgrass associates to have some of Dr. Madison’s observations at 
Davis. He finds that Highland bentgrass will do well if "scalped" once in autumn.
In summer it should be maintained about 7/8 inch high as optimum cutting height, 
or at least somewhere in the range of 3/4 inch to 1 inch. Otherwise it develops 
"false crowning" and looks stubbly. He recommends also a spray against insects 
in August.

Natural Kentucky bluegrass and Merion would be rated about equally in the Davis 
plots. At the time of visit, all bluegrasses were looking good, except Delta 
(which was the poorest). There is a cool surge of ocean air at night up the Sacra­
mento Valley, enough to make bluegrasses do well even as far inland as Davis. 

Among the fescues, Pennlawn was one of the poorer, Rainier the best.

Madison experienced the same results reported by researchers elsewhere, that 
the ureaforms were deficient in nitrogen release during cooler weather. Strangely, 
summer fertilization helped the northern species control Bermuda invasion, con­
trary to expectations.

INSECTICIDES POINT WAY TO SOD WEBWORM CONTROL IN OKLAHOMA

Dr. Schery conferred with two of the Institute advisors, Dr. Wayne Huffine and 
Dr. Sam Wiggans of Oklahoma State University, on September 15, at which time 
various problems peculiar to that area and climate were discussed.

Sod webworms continue to be very troublesome in Oklahoma, but their control is 
believed possible with hydrocarbon insecticides (no evidence that insect resistance 
has built up). "Spring dead spot" continues to be troublesome on Bermuda, with 
the causal agent unidentified, and the control application of an insecticide (dieldrin 
has been effective).

A great deal of the turfgrass research at Oklahoma centers on herbicides. Inter­
estingly enough bandane, the isolate presumed effective in chlordane, has worked 
poorly in both pre-emergence and post-emergence crabgrass control. It has given 
no burn. Better liked for general weed control in Bermuda or St. Augustine turf 
is simazine at 1 to 2 pounds per acre, or diuron on newly sprigged varieties of 
Bermuda. At an 8 pound rate, Bermuda is injured.

Dr. Huffine questions the use of ryegrass, for wintergrass seeding in Oklahoma.
It tends to persist and repress comeback of the Bermuda. However, not a great 
deal of winter seeding is done in Oklahoma, other than on golf courses. He would 
recommend vertical mowing before seeding a wintergrass into Bermuda, or if that 
proved impossible alternate rakings and mowings. If weeds are controlled in Ber­
muda, then the general brownish color is not objectionable, says Huffine.

Oklahoma may be releasing a dwarf St. Augustine, and a Centipede variety. But 
a disease has been a problem this year on the St. Augustine.

In Dr. Huffine’s estimation Poa annua is the worst weed, followed by goosegrass 
and crabgrass. Because of unusually temperate summers the last three years 
many golf greens have held Poa annua as a perennial.

Dr. Wiggans has received bluegrass, Oregon fescues and Highland bentgrass from 
us, which will be tested for wintergrass interseeding this autumn.

DR. SCHERY ADDRESSES EASTERN OREGON FESCUE GROWERS ASSOCIATION

During his tour of the northwest Dr. Schery had an opportunity to address the 
Eastern Oregon Fescue Growers Association at a supper meeting sponsored by 
the members. Earlier in the day Dr. Schery was accompanied on field trips by 
Ted Sidor, County Agent at La Grande, which is situated in the heart of the fescue 
production area of the Grande Ronde Valley. Farms visited were those of Bill 
Howells, George Royes, and Clayton Fox, former Fescue Commission representa­
tive on the Lawn Institute Board.

Dr. Schery observed that row planting is practiced in this area, where fescue 
may be kept for five years or more, and bluegrass has been known not to require 
replanting for as much as ten years. The chief bluegrass is Merion.

Soil tests indicate need is almost solely for nitrogen. About 80 pounds per year 
are applied to the fescue, 90-120 pounds for Merion bluegrass. There is less 
concern in Oregon about lodging from too much nitrogen than in Midwestern blue­
grass fields, since pickup rakes ahead of the combine lift fallen seed stalks.

Annual burning, and generally spraying for sod webworm and tarweed are a gen­
eral practice. Without burning, disease and insects gain such a foothold as to 
reduce yields materially.

While a crop is said possible without irrigation, it is increased up to 65% with 
irrigation, so that this is usually practiced.

UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING TEST PLOTS SHOW BLUEGRASS-FESCUE AND
HIGHLAND BENTGRASS SUITED TO RIGOROUS CLIMATE

On October 2, Dr. Schery conferred with Lloyd Ayres, Horticulture Department 
of the University of Wyoming at Laramie, where bluegrass has stood the test of 
the areas rigorous climate. The following observations were made for the record 
in Dr. Schery’s field report:

Laramie is in a very severe climate. The elevation is 7,200 feet, normal rainfall 
only 10 to 12 inches. Non-hardy plants kill out readily in winter, and without irri­
gation it is difficult to establish first-class turfs. Where irrigation is possible, 
bluegrass is thought by Ayres to be far the best. The school athletic field is sown 
to natural Kentucky bluegrass, as are most lawns and the local golf course fairway. 

Ayres finds that in Wyoming there is no advantage to varieties and premium blue-

grasses compared to natural Kentucky bluegrass. Kentucky bluegrass or Kentucky 
bluegrass mixtures constitute his standard recommendation for lawns.

The test plots show fescue to survive well too, although doing better on low fertility 
rather than on high.

Clover has been found to winterkill in open winter, as has some Colonial bent­
grass received from Washington. However, Highland bentgrass from Oregon has 
proven perfectly hardy.

Chewings fescue is often represented as "not rhizoming". Yet plantings of this 
species on Ayres test plots show spread around the edges of the plot of several 
inches. This would seem justification of our considering Chewings fescue as 
rhizomatous in qualification for the seal of approval.

As of the present, turfgrass diseases are not much of a problem in Wyoming.
Part of the reason is that there is no extensive monoculture of a single pasture 
grass as there occurs in most parts of the country, for the range is left to the 
mixed population of wild grasses.

SATURDAY EVENING POST WRITER INQUIRES OF LAWN INSTITUTE

Jim Skardon of the Saturday Evening Post called the Lawn Institute national head­
quarters in Marysville, Ohio, on October 2. Mr. Skardon indicated that he was 
assembling material for a future article and had been referred to Dr. Schery for 
information.

NATURAL "BLUEGRASS" THE WORKHORSE SPECIES ON PURDUE CAMPUS

During a recent visit to Purdue University, Dr. Schery inspected the campus 
plantings and experimental plots that are supervised by Dr. W. H. Daniel of the 
University. The following are excerpts from Schery’s field report:

"The turfgrass in general seemed excellent at Purdue this year, both because of 
favorable (cool) weather and weed control. It shows that central Indiana is good 
bluegrass country, and in spite of all the ballyhoo for ’fancy’ strains, the campus 
is still workhorse natural bluegrass. One of Dr. Daniel’s former students is now 
in charge of grounds maintenance at Purdue.

"Pre-emergence crabgrass killers show up markedly at this season with coarse, 
yellow-green sod where prevention has not been practiced. Kentucky bluegrass 
is a very tough customer, resisting harm from any of the presently marketed 
crabgrass killers, unless extravagantly over-applied. All crabgrass killers are 
showing excellent results, with essentially crabgrass-free bluegrass turf where 
properly used. Some of the earliest plots were of calcium arsenate, at 24 pounds 
per M. Dr. Daniel has found that a ’booster’ application is needed to keep them 
entirely free from crabgrass, and suggests one-half rate the second year, and

one-fourth rate the third. Where booster applications were omitted slight infesta­
tions of crabgrass were beginning to show up.

"One of the interesting tests is abandonment of fertilization, to see how long there 
is carry-over from previous fertilizing practices. Natural Kentucky bluegrass is 
not the heavy feeder that Merion is, so the results don’t show as strikingly as with 
Merion. But on the Merion plots, when fertilization is withheld, the turf looks 
quite poor in comparison to fertilized areas. Results shape up to indicate that 
fertility effects are lost within two years. Fertilization practices for three years 
in a row will have some carry-over effect until the second year, but not beyond.
As might be expected, those fertilizers containing ureaform type nitrogen (slow- 
release) have the most prolonged residual effect, although they may not have as 
strong an immediate influence as soluble forms."

DR. SCHERY IS GUEST SPEAKER AT SEED SALES CONFERENCE

Dr. Schery spoke to an audience of regional dealers through the invitation of the 
Teweles Seed Company, on October 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The audience 
was composed of representatives of the Coast-To-Coast retail chain, providing an 
excellent occasion for stressing the importance of quality seed to a group who have 
daily contact with the seed-buying public. Dr. Schery also discussed methods and 
practices that make for better lawns, relating them to basic seed types and accept­
able chemicals. Coast-To-Coast executives expressed appreciation of the chance 
to introduce an educational feature to a dealer group, something other associate 
menbers might like to consider. Reprints were distributed at the meeting, and 
an added supply left with Coast-To-Coast for mailing to their dealers nationally.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE INQUIRES OF LAWN INSTITUTE

The Lawn Institute has received a request for information from H. O. Graumann, 
Chief, Forage and Range Research Branch of the USDA, concerning the number of 
man-years currently being expended in industry as well as by foundations and 
associations on turfgrass research. The survey is funded and directed by the 
House Committee of Appropriations of the 87th Congress.

According to USDA preliminary estimates, a rather low figure had been projected 
for both industry and others, assigning a dollar expenditure of twenty-five thousand 
dollars as equalling a professional man-year unit. Dr. Schery's evaluation of 
these estimates suggested that at least five man-years appear in the final Congres­
sional report. Correspondence fromMr. Graumann establishes that he and his 
staff are most grateful for the assistance extended by the Lawn Institute.

BLUEGRASS RATED HIGH FOR ORCHARD COVER

At a recent seminar of the AIBS held at Purdue University a paper entitled "The 
Influence Of Sods And Mulches Upon Root Environment And Tree Performance" by

Ronald B. Tukey and R. G. Langston, was the object of discussion and interest. 
Here is Dr. Schery’s report on this paper:

"Their findings favored bluegrass over all other species, in improving fruit pro­
duction; but bluegrass was last in stimulating tree growth. Of course the two 
things are in a sense antagonistic, and I believe most people would settle for 
better fruit production rather than tree growth, at least in mature trees. Com­
parisons involved a great many organic mulches, as well as other sod and legume 
combinations, of which we might consider tall fescue at the opposite extreme 
from Kentucky bluegrass (in this sense competitors in the tests).

"I might mention that all mulches and treatments proved superior to none, as far 
as moisture relationship, nutrient uptake and so on are concerned. Greater soil 
temperatures (generally considered undesirable) developed under inert materials 
such as gravel, foam rubber and glass fiber, as compared to organic mulches such 
as corncobs, peanut hulls, straw, etc. No mulch or sod at all gave the lowest 
soil moisture readings, also an undesirable feature.

"Tukey’s explanation of the beneficial response under bluegrass sod mulch was 
that bluegrass utilized more nitrogen but released more potassium for tree growth 
than did a species such as tall fescue. Apparently the tall fescue permitted a 
higher nitrogen content (which stimulated tree growth) but a potassium deficit 
(which hindered fruit production). The results of these tests would suggest that 
bluegrass seeded into orchards would be an excellent soil protector and mulch, in 
line with what we reported in the ’Fruit Grower’ magazine last year."

Another session Dr. Schery attended had to do with "Weather and Organisms".
He comments that, "There seemed to be a good deal of interest in drought, arid 
climates, and water evaporation from plants. Not much of this is pertinent 
directly to lawns, at least in our main marketing climate. Speakers pointed out 
such well known facts as that the plant itself is a mass of water in a structural 
framework, and all its physiology operates through the medium of water. Ade­
quate water in arid areas may result from such things as paving on a highway, or 
even the mulch effect of boulders in a field. A good many tests are now underway, 
under polyethylene ’bubbles’, to determine just the amount of evaporation from 
certain types of vegetation as compared to others, particularly in watersheds in 
the arid West. Eventually some of this may have a bearing on lawns and turf, and 
there was some suggestion that hexadecanol might retard the evaporation and use 
of water in plants, just as it does when applied to the surface of lakes in the West. "

FILM NOTE:

"BLUEGRASS BEAUTY" WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECENT LISTING OF 
PRINTS AVAILABLE THROUGH MODERN TALKING PICTURE SERVICE 
WHEN THIS FIRM MAILED OUT SOME 60,000 COPIES OF THEIR 
BROCHURE.

PRESS RESUME FROM FALL PRESS KIT MAILING PROGRAM

On August 8 of this year over 700 comprehensive press kits were mailed from the 
Institute’s public information office in Kansas City, Missouri. This mailing con­
tained not only the history and background of the Lawn Institute, but also contained 
five timely articles pointing to the autumn as time for seeding and selling good 
grasses. These items were prepared by Dr. Schery and were titled: WHAT’S 
NEW FOR STARTING TURF; SPECIAL LAWN GRASSES FOR SPECIAL USES; 
INSURE LAWN PLANTING WITH FERTILIZER; AUTUMN LAWN SEEDING IS 
BEST; and THE LAWN INSTITUTE SEAL OF APPROVAL. All releases 
carried a July date line, thereby providing ample time for interested editors to 
correspond directly with the Institute for additional help and guidance on fall lawn 
features. The kit also contained reprints, photos, and other pertinent materials 
with a covering letter from Dr. Schery.

In analyzing over 500 clippings it is evident that these press materials were 
favorably received by the editors and writers. More often than not the Lawn 
Institute received by-line credits as well as verbatim publication without the 
usual "blue pencil" rewrite. It is most evident from this cross-section of clip­
pings that the Lawn Institute was directly responsible for generating timely fall 
lawn-care articles. It is interesting to note that some of the most respected major 
dailies in the United States were the Institute’s strongest supporters (see PRESS 
QUOTES IN THIS "HARVESTS" for specific quotations from this press kit mail­
ing)

PRESS QUOTES:

"Kentucky bluegrass, of which Merion is a variant, also rated ’excellent'. It is 
considered a better buy than Merion if one does not intend to give the good care 
that Merion requires - feeding three times a year, mowing once a week (oftener 
in periods of rapid growth) and regular watering. Kentucky can struggle along 
without this pampering. Moreover, Kentucky is cheaper."

THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL

"Kentucky bluegrass - fine fescue seed mixtures do best when sown in autumn, 
but need the boost of abundant fertility to become well established before freeze- 
up."

NATIONAL FERTILIZER SOLUTIONS ASSOC.

"Plant winter grass now if you plan to keep your lawn bright green during the cool 
months ahead. There are three temporary grasses to choose from - Italian rye, 
Kentucky blue and Redtop. Of the three, Kentucky blue has the nicer color, 
texture and quality and is relatively free of diseases."

SUN, Gainesville, Florida - Hervey Sharpe

(Florida Agricultural Extension Service)

"It’s not too hard now, if good quality seed is used for the red fescue varieties 
make quick cover, while the Kentucky bluegrass knits a tight sod by its vaunted 
rhizoming, says Dr. Robert W. Schery, Director of the Lawn Institute, Kansas 
City."

EVENING UNION-BULLETIN, Walla Walla, 

Washington - Claude M. Gray

"You might also request pamphlets of The Lawn Institute, Suite 600,
1016 Baltimore Street, Kansas City 5, Missouri."

STAR-LEDGER, Newark, New Jersey

"Kentucky bluegrass-fine fescue seed mixtures do best when sown in autumn, but 
need the boost of abundant fertility to become well established before freeze-up.
— Nor do Kentucky bluegrass and red fescue varieties get out of hand from heavy 
feeding in autumn. At this time of year it is normal for bluegrass to produce low, 
short leaves in response to declining day length, --. Tests at the Lawn Institute 
have shown that fertilizers applied to frozen ground — have a beneficial influence."

GAZETTE, Janesville, Wisconsin - Tom Carlson

"Best chance for establishing a good bluegrass-red fescue lawn is from autumn 
seeding. That is the contention of The Lawn Institute, — bluegrass seed mixtures 
can be successfully sown in spring, but autumn results are even better."

TIMES - Hammond, Indiana

"The unidentified blight strikes Merion bluegrass, a strain which was adopted by 
golf clubs all over the country after its recommendation by the U.S. Golf Asso­
ciation. — Large acreages have begun dying out recently. Since the seed is ex­
pensive, golf courses are losing not only fairways but a sizable economic invest­
ment. "

STAR-LEDGER, Newark, New Jersey - 

Dr. Couch

"Since only a few grasses are recommended for use in this area - Kentucky and 
Merion bluegrass, creeping red and Chewings fescues,—obviously the others 
contained in most mixtures are open to question."

STAR, Washington, D. C. - Bill Youngman

"By reading the label, you can tell the percentage of each kind of seed, and the 
percentage of the seed that is expected to germinate. In this area the mixture 
should contain large amounts of Kentucky bluegrass (or varieties) and red fescue."

JOURNAL-STANDARD, Freeport, Illinois

"Read the label and see what the package contains. It should contain a high pro­
portion of Kentucky bluegrass, red fescue and for shade, Chewings fescue."

STAR,,Washington, D.C.

"Kentucky bluegrass and its relative, Merion Kentucky Blue, are the backbone of 
most good mixtures sold in the northeastern United States.....The best advice is 
to leave blending the lawn seed mixtures to the experts. But be sure you read the 
content of the package before you buy it. Many so-called bargain mixtures contain 
a high percentage of ‘annual grass’".

COURIER-EXPRESS, Buffalo, New York - 

George Abraham

"To me Kentucky bluegrass is still the backbone of all grass mixtures."

DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, Rochester, N.Y. 

George Abraham

"CLIPPINGS & GLEANINGS" from LAWN INSTITUTE Correspondence

"You have indicated that you would be willing to point out some of the high-lights 
of horticultural developments. I would appreciate having this information from 
you from the standpoint of your broad experience in horticulture, high-lighting 
interest in basic scientific developments in horticulture and new public interest 
phases would be very welcome."

- Dr. Lee Burkhart, Department of Horticulture,

University of Arizona

"It will be appreciated if you will review the attached research work on turf estab­
lishment form and make whatever corrections and recommendations you might 
think appropriate."

-  R. L. Nicar, Landscape Engineer
Commonwealth of Virginia

"Thank you for the package of reprints -- as well as your recent letter. I had 
not realized that your pen is so prolific. — Shall enjoy reading the articles. —
At Shaw’s Garden — I am in charge of horticulture. I also set up a grass exhibit. 
— Drew quite a lot of interest. I have been in several meetings where you have 
been on the program."

-  Nelson L. Russell, County Agent

Saint Louis County, Missouri

"Second, as I feel the popular information you prepare is excellent material and 
much to the point I would like to obtain about 15 copies of each release if possible.
I can use it in my college teaching program and certainly in some of the extension 
work —. If you have any back material that you could send, in this quantity, I 
will assure you that it will be well used. — Will send you data as soon as 
(research) is complete."

-  Dr. C. R. Skogley - University of Rhode Island

"It will be a relief to get that very prominent spot in decent turf and properly 
graded for a change."

-  Dr. Fred J. Nisbet, Superintendent of the

Biltmore Estate, Asheville, N. Carolina

"I have an Aero-thatch machine coming next week and will run a demonstration on 
the renovation of a crabgrass, foxtail turf. The bluegrass will be over-seeded 
on this area. When established, this bluegrass turf will be of value to us for 
other treatment purposes. We appreciate the Institute’s providing us with this 
seed."

-  Dr. Eliot Roberts - Iowa State University

*"I read your letter and your articles which you recently posted to me with great 
interest. Of course, it all makes sense. It is a natural and logical approach to 
the lawn program. — And to be quite candid, can we get two people to really agree
on what is right? — I still have an open mind on the subject. --- I would appreciate
very much in the future if further bulletins could keep me informed."

-  Harold Calverley, White Flower Farm,

Litchfield, Connecticut

*See next page.

*ED. NOTE: Mr. Calverly cites over thirty years’ experience in England where 
he had not encountered great use of bluegrass and apparently is not 
too familiar with its great and undeniable success in America.

"Recently I read your lecture to the Ohio Park Association in May, 1960, which 
was published in ’Parks & Recreation' November, 1960.

I would appreciate a list of publications from your Institute, as I was most im­
pressed with your address.

In Australia, at the moment, I feel that there is too much information from the 
seed merchants and not enough from independent institutes.

My work includes advice on lawns on Commonwealth property throughout 
Australia, and any information you have would be of great value."

T. Arthur 
Arboriculturist 
C /-Department of Works 
Yarra Street, Hawthorn 
Victoria, Australia

"Concerning The Lawn Book — I am going to get in touch with the other agents 
and recommend that it would be a good source of reference for them. I have 
your book pretty nearly fully reviewed and I congratulate you on the job. It is 
something that one can use."

Dr. Leroy J. Higgins 
University of New Hampshire

"What’s New for Starting Turf?" with by-line, appeared on page 19 of the 
September 22 issue of ’Seed World’, with the usual admonition to post this on 
the bulletin board or feature it for customers in the retail seed stores and gar­
den centers."

SEED WORLD