BETTER LAWN

PUBLISHED PERIODICALLY BY THE NEWS BUREAU OF 

BETTER LAWN & TURF INSTITUTE

Harvests

SUITE 600 

•  1016 BALTIMORE BUILDING

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 64105

Volume 10, No. 4

January, 1964

EUROPEAN BLUEGRASS INTERESTS ACQUAINTED

Advantage was taken of the attendance of major bluegrass producers from North 
Europe, at the Western in Kansas City, the week of November 4. President 
Mangelsdorf, with the help of Secretary Edwards, organized a luncheon meeting 
primarily for Hans Mommersteeg and A. J. Van Engelen, and their representatives 
in this country. Attending also were Board members Edward Spears and Gustav 
Kveen, with Bill Herron of Heritage House and Jim Massie of Northrup-King 
representing Associate members.

Dr. Schery and Milt Stephan spoke for the Lawn Institute, in outlining the 
Institute's many activities. Documentation weighing several pounds was given 
Mr. Mommersteeg, for taking back to Europe in order to acquaint his father 
and colleagues with the program. A similar compilation was sent to Holland 
in behalf of Mr. Van Engelen.

Sequence of coverage was much as given at the annual meeting. Dr. Schery 
presented a brief history of the Lawn Institute, and its progressive increase 
in activities through the years. Rules of membership and form of participation 
were reviewed for the European guests.

Sample press kits were circulated, and the results achieved through them 
discussed. Since statistics on this are given in the Director's annual 
report (Harvests, Volume 10, No. 2, June), they will not be repeated here.
A clip sheet was circulated showing that 22 stories, totaling 120 column inches 
of newspaper lineage, were achieved from a single press kit mailed to a 
single address near Kansas City. Multiply this by hundreds of kits, and the 
extent of coverage is extraordinary.

Sample reprints were given the visitors, of the stories appearing through the 
years in the popular gardening press. The fine acceptance of the Lawn Institute 
movie and its visuals was also brought out. Unfortunately, time did not 
permit a showing of slides assembled for the occasion, the formalized
presentation being dispensed with as give-and-take discussion between the 
visitors and Institute representatives developed. It will be fully possible 
for Mr. Mommersteeg and Mr. Van Engelen, and their friends in Europe, to 
read of Institute activities at greater leisure, through the voluminous 
documentation being sent or carried back to Europe.

An active topic of discussion was the new regulation in New York, requiring 
the listing of Poa annua as a weed. Rightly or wrongly, the Europeans 
attribute passage of this regulation to the Lawn Institute's position. It 
was pointed out that if our European friends had been willing to join with

the Lawn Institute several years ago when first invited, their feelings 
concerning Poa annua would have been more adequately known when the Lawn 
Institute resolution was voted.

There was a quick review of the Institute’s tangential activities, such as 
active efforts in developing a winterseeding market in the South. The 
potential tie-in with de-thatching equipment, marketing efforts (Seal of 
Approval), Extension activities and promotional efforts, etc. was discussed.

Upon adjournment of the meeting, it seemed that the Europeans and their 
representatives had gained a much better understanding of the Lawn Institute, 
its purposes and activities. Mr. Mangelsdorf expressed the hope that in the 
future there could be more meaningful colloboration between European and 
domestic interests, in carrying forward the objectives of the Lawn Institute.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AGRONOMY MEETINGS

National conventions have become so large that it is impossible to keep track 
of everything. It is helpful when abstracts are prepared, such as the 1963 
annual meeting of the American Society of Agronomy. We can only mention here 
occasional items of interest appearing on the program, that may relate to 
lawn growing. Authors and titles will not be cited for reasons of space, 
but if you are interested in learning where the particular research is being 
undertaken, just drop a note to the Marysville office.

Soil gases in compacted soil had a markedly different composition compared to 
those in uncompacted soil; carbon dioxide especially increased.

Reduced oxygen levels in compacted soils severely depressed root growth, although 
mechanical impedence (in relatively compacted soil) was the most important 
factor at medium densities.

Chemical sprays have been found which cause closure of stomata (leaf pores), 
leading to reduced wilting, the plant often seeming to benefit more from 
reduced transpiration than from the reduced photosynthesis occasioned by 
stomatal close.

Phosphorus moved through the soil many times faster when the microbial population 
was stimulated by addition of sugar, the phosphorus being in the organic 
form after absorption by the microorganisms). Phosphorus movement in soils 
is mobilized by microbial action.

Availability of cation (nutrient) exchange increased greatly and consistently, 
as the soil pH was progressively raised from 2.5 to 8, with 60 Wisconsin 
soils. The contribution of organic matter was similarly improved as pH 
increased.

Phosphate solubility affects its uptake by plants, but adverse effects of soluble 
iron and aluminum may override this. Partially acidulated rock phosphate 
might provide soluble phosphate within the rock phosphate particles without 
disadvantageous mobilization of iron and aluminum.

Sulphur (to acidify soil) became effective more rapidly the smaller the particle 
size, reached a peak after sixty days, was not appreciably affected by exist­
ing pH, was converted rapidly at higher temperatures, and was more readily 
oxidized when applied to the soil surface. Sulphur oxidization was greater 
with nitric and diammonium phosphates than in triple super-phosphates.

Nitrogen applied as part of crop residues was most readily recovered from hay, 
next from corn stalks, and most slowly from soybean straw. Averaging results 
shows that about 10% of the nitrogen applied is recovered each year.

Steam sterilization of soil upset its balances markedly, increasing extractable 
nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur, and decreasing the moisture equivalent.

Gamma radiation or methyl bromide sterilization did not have this effect.

Extracts from wheat, oats, corn and sorghum contained substances toxic to 
the growth of wheat seedlings. A compound from wheat straw stimulated growth 
of wheat seedlings. The chemical compounds have been partially identified.

The recovery of nitrogen from the nitrate sources was greater than from 
ammonium sources, suggesting that nitrate is the preferred source (for grasses) 
or that ammonium is more susceptible to loss (as by volatilization).

Stubble mulching of wheat fields has long been advocated as a conservation 
measure, but has recently been shown to reduce stands of the next crop. This 
is apparently due at least in part to fungi associated with the stubble, 65% 
of which yielded substances toxic to germinating corn. Thirty-four of 39 
fungi yielded toxic substances, and appreciable numbers produced patulin, a 
phytotoxic antibiotic.

Tracing calcium uptake by radioactivity, bluegrass was shown to absorb about 
60% of its calcium from the top inch of soil, and 95% from the top three inches, 
no matter previous liming procedures.

Investigating the value of manure as a replacement for nutrients (particularly 
nitrogen), about 65% of the nitrogen in the manure was recovered within three 
years. Yields from the manured plots were higher than could be accounted for 
by the nitrogen alone.

On tests with Italian ryegrass, the tops grew best at warm temperatures, the 
roots at moderate temperatures; heavy increases of nitrate reduced top yields, 
but ammonium did not; but there was more top growth with medium levels of 
nitrate than with ammonium. Nitrate restricted root growth to the surface 
soil, while ammonium did not. Increasing nitrate increased the percentage of 
calcium and magnesium; increasing ammonium increased the percentage of sulphur. 
Nitrate decreased phosphorus, chlorine and sulphur; ammonium decreased calcium. 

Fertilization increased yield, but only if additional water was also used.

Effects of previous fertilization were noted two years later on bermudagrass, 
and soil tests indicated differences in nitrogen and pH.

Nitrogen was assimilated by soil organisms more quickly at higher temperatures, 
ammonium more than nitrate, and more adequately at high pH than low (with

ammonium; not with nitrate). Recovery of fertilizer was greater when applied 
to soils alone, than when applied along with crop residues, even if the 
residues were first allowed to decompose for several weeks.

Resin-coated urea fertilizers showed 82 to 95% recovered in one day compared 
to non-coated urea. After ten weeks, half of the nitrogen was in ammonium 
form. Urea recovery practically ceased after the second week. Increasing 
temperature increased leaching (oxidization).

Nitrogen lost as ammonia from fertilizer applied to the surface of fescue turf 
ranged from about 4% loss with ammonium sulphate to 47%for pelleted urea.
Ammonia loss was reduced when sawdust was mixed with soil, but not very much 
when alfalfa meal was incorporated.

In another test to fertilizer applied at the soil surface, urea was poorly 
recovered in the crop compared to ammonium sulphate, uncoated urea recovering 
only 19% compared to ammonium sulphate 82%, with coated urea prills
intermediate.

Micronutrients should be applied with respect to particular need and solubility 
of the element, are seldom sufficient when incorporated as part of a premium 
fertilizer.

Deficiency in micronutrients is showing up ever more widely, especially in the 
South.

Grass root extracts inhibited germination and seedling vigor of seven legume 
species; Johsongrass, sorghum and coastal bermudagrass were all severe 
compared to tall fescue which had little effect.

A good indicator of critical nitrogen level with Italian ryegrass, was found 
to be 1000 ppm in tissue of the newest leaf.

The influence of removing leafage varies with the density of stand, and removal 
of incipient seedheads reduces seed yield but increases tillering; carbohydrates 
accumulated in plant parts contribute to spring performance and regrowth, 
but little to seed production.

If sufficient carbon dioxide is present, plant photosynthetic efficiency
improves with increasing sunlight; differing plants differ in their ability to 
take up limited amounts of carbon dioxide, and stirring of the air (as by wind) 
is the equivalent of increasing carbon dioxide.

Presence of other nutrients increased efficiency of nitrogen uptake with ryegrass, 
from about 41% with nitrogen by itself to as high as 139% with a 30-120-60 
fertilizer.

TURFGRASS SECTION PAPERS AT AGRONOMY SOCIETY MEETINGS

Fourteen papers were presented in the Turfgrass Management section of the 
Agronomy Society, at the recent annual meetings. Most were rather abstruse 
judged by immediate practical potentiality.

Dr. Beard, of Michigan State, explored winterkill of bentgrass, bluegrass and.
Poa annua, through differing treatments in a freezing chamber. Bentgrass was 
least injured, although most treatments caused little damage to any grass.

Blaser, of Virginia, speaking about mulches, pointed up the moisture holding 
and lowered temperature advantages with a mulch.

Callahan, of Rutgers, depicted the internal anatomical disruptions in Colonial 
bentgrass which had been treated with Silvex.

Couch, of Pennsylvania State, noted the increasing affliction with Fusarium 
roseum in the East; perhaps one out of five Merion lawns on Long Island 
examined were severely damaged by this fungus. Couch recommended Difolatan 
or Dithan-M-45 for control of the disease.

Goss, of Washington State, reviewed fertilization of putting green turf, much 
as presented in the Highland bentgrass newsletter. He concluded that intermediate 
levels of fertility nutrients, in balance, produce the best turf consistently.

Green and Beard, of Michigan, tested bentgrass, bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass 
under differing nitrogen regimens, noting that certain internal sugars 
disappeared at higher nitrogen levels; bluegrass and fescue behaved very similarly.

Juska reported response of Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue to different 
phosphorus levels, both grasses showing general increase in yields as 
phosphorus increases. Fescues out-yielding bluegrass.

Daniel, of Purdue, discussed the selecting of zoysia for interplanting in the 
North.

Lunt, of the University of California, presented complicated data on sodium 
exchange percentages in soil, the conclusions from which seem to be that 
salt tolerance among turfgrasses showed Puccinellia as topmost, followed by 
bermuda, fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and a bentgrass.

Madison, of the University of California, measured vegetation removal at
differing clipping heights, concluding that Highland bentgrass grew best
mowed about 1 inch, or above 2 inches, but not between these two cutting heights.

Roberts, of Iowa, discussed certain wetting agents and similar chemicals as 
affecting growth of Kentucky bluegrass in culture solutions in the greenhouse.

Goetze, of Oregon State, reviewed the effectiveness of pre-emergence herbicides 
in controlling Poa annua, concluding that Betasan at 10 lbs. per acre showed 
promise, though its longevity was poor.

Wilson, of the Milwaukee Sewerage Commission, evaluated cool-season grasses 
for winter overseeding of southern golf greens. Wilson credited the Lawn 
Institute with cooperation, and for furnishing seed for this year’s trials.
As has been reported previously, the Milorganite people favor finer-textured 
northern grasses for southern winterseeding, as contrasted to the conventional 
ryegrass; but they are perhaps more strongly sold on Poa trivialis than many 
other experts. Wilson’s data reported success one place or another with all 
of the grasses currently represented by the Lawn Institute. There was 
considerable interest from the floor on the recommendations advocated.

Dr. Youngner, of California, discussed factors affecting the flowering of 
bermudagrass clones.

EIGHTS OF PLANT BREEDERS SYMPOSIUM

One of the best attended meetings at the Agronomy Society's annual convention 
in Denver, was the joint symposium "An Analysis of Plant Breeders Rights" 
held the afternoon of November 18. Participants included Dr. M. G. Weiss of 
the USDA, Gunnar Weibull from Sweden (speaking on the system in Europe), John 
D. Dorsey of Minneapolis (speaking on the legal aspects), a review of germ 
plasm control (John Carew of Michigan State for vegetables and flowers; W. M. 
Myers of the University of Minnesota for field crops; Raymond Baker of 
Pioneer Hybrid Corn for hybrids; Cloy M. Miller, speech read by Dr. Robert 
Kalton, for asexually produced crops); certification by F. G. Parsons of the 
University of California and the effect on the seed trade by Allenby White 
of Northrup-King.

This symposia had been organized jointly by five societies, including the 
Crop Science Society, the American Society for Horticultural Science, the 
American Seed Trade Association, the International Crop Improvement Association, 
the National Council of Commercial Plant Breeders. That there was nary a 
vacant seat in the immense ballroom attests to the high interest currently 
manifest concerning breeder's rights in this country.

A full summarization of the many viewpoints is impossible. Only publication 
of the impressive series of papers would permit the careful evaluation needed 
to fully digest the information expressed.

It is appropriate to point out, however, that almost to a man the speakers 
were in greater or lesser degree opposed to any further regulation or restraint 
by the government. Most of them felt that in their respective fields, ways 
and means had been found to work efficiently in the improvement of crops, 
with excellent cooperation between private and public interests.

A broad evaluation of securing breeder's rights with respect to the federal 
constitution and the full gamut of United States laws was interestingly 
developed by Mr. Dorsey, touching upon matters agriculturists seldom think 
about. Patents through the patent office, even were it possible to arrange 
a scheme for sexually-producing plants, would be so cumbersome and difficult 
as to be impractical. Perhaps better possibilities could be tied in with 
trademark regulations, or special legislation be passed to conform with the 
peculiarities inherent in seed and plant materials. Mr. Dorsey felt that 
some scheme of breeder's rights was merited for protection of plant breeders 
just as in other industries, and that this could only be handled by action 
at a national level (as contrasted to working through seed laws of separate 
states). By implication, Mr. Dorsey would suggest further federal legislation, 
something from which all following speakers seemed to shy.

Dr. Carew, of Michigan State University, gave a very forceful presentation 
championing individualism, freedom from regulation, and continuing usage of 
a system that seems to be working perfectly well for garden plants. Remaining 
speakers, with perhaps some of their "thunder stolen" by preceding speakers, 
were less forceful, but seemed to advocate generally the same position for

field crops, hybrid crops (which have natural built in protection), and 
asexually produced crops (now working well internationally under a "gentlemen’s 
agreement" between private growers).

Allenby White indicated that there was no unanimity of viewpoint within the 
seed trade, with differing viewpoints largely depending upon which facets of 
the industry a seedsman was concerned with. He felt that the great majority, 
however, would be strongly opposed to further federal regulation, and especially 
to such things as the contemplated compulsory registration of varieties. He 
would have no objection to registration, if it could be on a voluntary basis.

The tenor of the meeting was that there is a pretty good, if not perfect, 
system functioning now, that chances serious upset if there are attempts at 
imposed regulation. Free exchange of plant material might be endangered, 
with research centers pitted one against the other (even to the extent of 
experiment stations being ordered to withhold patentable information which 
might yield profitable royalties under a plant patent system). The symposium 
was especially stimulating in bringing out the many ramifications that relate 
to breeder’s rights.

TURF RESEARCH CONTINUES AT KANSAS

Following switch of turfgrass research grounds to the outlying agronomy farm, 
Dr. Keen's work at Kansas State University has picked up once again. There 
are fairly extensive tests of his bermudagrass selection program, as well as 
trials with promising bluegrasses received from others. Dr. Keen has several 
fine fescue selections which have proven hardy through the summer (in the 
sun) in Kansas. There are also bentgrass plantings, including a large area 
to be devoted to research on putting green turf.

Dr. Keen is still interested in finding a bentgrass which retains winter color 
better than conventional varieties. The characteristic does not seem too 
difficult to uncover, but breeding a pure strain that can be perpetuated 
by seed is difficult.

A wide array of bermudagrass selections has been accumulated through the years. 
Interestingly, Keen is finding that there seems to be some correlation between 
going off-color early in winter, and hardiness. A number of the selections, 
like the widely used U-3, can't stand winter traffic well.

CALIFORNIA TURFGRASS RESEARCH

It was possible for Dr. Schery to drop in on Dr. John Madison, turfgrass 
specialist in the Ornamental Horticulture Department at the University of 
California, Davis. A modest research program along distinctive lines 
continues at Davis, with Dr. John Madison exhibiting originality in his 
approaches.

On the trial grounds, Park and Merion varieties of bluegrass continue to prove 
excellent. Newport is said to have deteriorated about the fourth year after 
planting. Currently Dr. Madison is recommending "three or four" bluegrass 
varieties mixed together, for home lawn planting.

A rate-of-seeding study has been completed, in which it was shown that two-to- 
four pounds of a quality seed mixture based primarily on bluegrass was a 
good seeding rate. One pound was adequate, but eight pounds too much (giving 
stunted, thatched grass subject to disease).. Seeding depths up to 1/2inc h 
were adequate for bluegrass, but bent performed better at shallower depths 
(about 1/4 inch).

Dr. Madison also advocates thatch removal on all turfgrasses grown in the 
area. He believes that some of the disease troubles are intensified by 
physiological upset of the grass because of herbicide application.

From time to time there are reports of disease being cured by the application 
of certain fertilizers. One such case was in evidence at Davis, where an 
application of Milorganite snapped creeping bent out of a diseased and 
chlorotic condition. Speculation is that this might be due to the antibiotic 
effect of microorganisms stimulated by the Milorganite. Incidentally, ureaform 
fertilizers have performed poorly in this area, giving appreciable effect 
only during very hot weather, even when used at rates as high as 1 lb. per 
month for a period of five years.

Madison still prefers the cool-season grasses such as bluegrasses, fine 
fescues and bentgrass for this section of California. However, bermudagrasses 
and zoysias will thrive. As in other parts of the country, the failure to 
mow zoysia well with the conventional light weight inexpensive mowers is a 
problem in the use of this species..

Dr. Madison feels there is no especial reason to recommend perennial ryegrass 
for the bay area. It will do well, but so will its betters such as Kentucky 
bluegrass.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ISSUES PROCEEDINGS

The Proceedings of the 4th annual Lawn and Turf Conference, held at Columbia, 
Missouri in September, "hit the mails" during the Christmas season. Additional 
copies are available at $1 each, from the Mailing Room, University of Missouri, 
17 Waters Hall, Columbia, Missouri.

Members may recall that Dr. Schery, representing the Lawn Institute, was a 
participant in this conference. Resumes of his talks appear in the Proceedings, 
under the titles of "Quality Cultivars," "Why Thatch," and "Winter-seeding."

Other subject coverage includes "Practical Turf Disease Identification," by 
Stan Frederiksen, Mallinkrodt; "What Is Hew In Turfgrass Disease Control?", 
Robert Miller, DuPont; "Developing New Turfgrass Varieties," Emmett Pinnell, 
University of Missouri; "Progress Report On Control Of Dutch Elm Disease,"
Harry Brown, University of Missouri; "The Sod Webworm Problem," George Thomas, 
University of Missouri; "Nitrogen Fertilization of Turfgrasses," Robert Miller, 
DuPont; "Solving The Phosphorus Problem In Turf," Ellis Graham, University of 
Missouri; "Controlling Cutworms," George Thomas, University of Missouri; 
"Landscaping The Clubhouse," Willard Summers, University of Missouri; "What's 
New In Weed Control?", Delbert Hemphill, University of Missouri; "Control Of 
Aquatic Vegetation," James Whitley, Missouri Conservation Commission; and 
"Kentucky Bluegrass Fairways," Ralph Guyer, Webster Groves.

The Proceedings encompass 40 pages, stapled between two cover sheets.

FLORIDA VISITED DURING SOUTHEASTERN SWING

During October, Dr. Schery spent two weeks visiting throughout the Southeast 
in behalf of winterseeding promotion. A detailed report was sent members of 
the Board, for such circularization among member organizations as they wished. 
Introduction to the October 22 report to the Board read:

The Southeast - Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida principally - 
was visited October 1-16, 1963. Winterseeding was just under way (upper 
South) or being contemplated (lower South). This trip was a follow-up 
on that reported December 12, 1962. While the 1962 trip was principally 
to contact experimentors and survey the status of winterseeding, the 
trip this year was more exhortative, with presentations to commercial 
interests and sales forces, following up the publicity launched by the 
Institute earlier in the autumn. Sales forces and key personnel of 
several of the leading garden trade retailers and seed distributors in 
Georgia and Florida were addressed.

Members particularly interested in Florida may appreciate a few comments of 
specific nature.

At the Fort Myers Country Club, the greens are Tifgreen with common bermuda 
in the fairways. The fairways are said to be improving, probably a result 
of moderate fertilization recently inaugurated (4-6 lbs. of nitrogen per M 
per year).

Corbins Garden Center, Fort Myers, stresses bahiagrass seed mixtures. The 
hairy Paraguay bahia, said to germinate slowly, is not now handled. Argentine 
bahia, similar to Pensacola, lies flatter and is thought to give better cover.

Dr. Evert Burt, Ft. Lauderdale, has some of the finest trial grounds in Florida. 
Dr. Burt has been supplied the "Lawn Institute mix" wintergrass for experi­
mentation. Incidentally, Dr. Burt believes that Diquat translocates better 
than does cacodylic acid, and should be useful for general "knockdown" at 
only 1 lb. per acre. He points out that no residual remains in the soil.

Nematodes are serious in Florida. VC-13 has not been much help in controlling 
them. Nemagon proved more useful in Burt’s trials, but a coded Bayer product 
rated best (though it is not officially recommended because of toxicity 
hazard). Dr. Burt feels that nematode treatments are needed yearly.

Other visits included Dr. Granville Horn at the University of Florida; Dr.
R. W. Prevatt, International Minerals Research Center, Mulberry; and an 
evening meeting with South Florida Spraymen's Association. After a pre­
sentation to the latter, there seemed to be enthusiasm for enlarging spraying 
operations to include de-thatching and seeding, much as discussed in the "Business 
Opportunities - -" story from Weeds & Turf Pest Control Magazine.

NEW EMPHASIS ON ROADSIDE SEEDING

What with Dr. Schery the ASTA Chairman of the Roadside Development Committee, 
the Lawn Institute has been well represented in roadside seeding activities.
The Lawn Institute has been instrumental, for example, in alerting the 
Highway Research Board and state highway officials about the shortage of tall 
fescue in early 1963.

The interest in roadside seeding increases, and research progresses. What 
with the gigantic road building program now going on, under sizable 
budgets, highway departments find it possible to sponsor roadside seeding 
research through the state colleges and other research centers much more 
adequately than in the past. As a matter of fact, larger budgets for turfgrass 
research are often obtainable through highway department grants, than through 
regular "agricultural" channels of the state agricultural college.

It is not surprising, then that the Agronomy Society is recommending for 
next year’s Agronomy meetings, a full-day sypmosium on roadside seeding.
Final details are yet to be worked out, although presumably there will be 
several invited speakers to this "kick-off" charter session. It would be 
expected that a section on roadside seeding at the Agronomy meetings would 
deal largely with technical research reports, and that less detailed, more 
popular presentations reviewing latest developments would continue to find 
a receptive audience at the annual Ohio Short Course, attended by most 
highway landscape architects nationally. Unless the technical information 
reaches the architects, who can apply it effectively, agronomy researchers 
will simply be talking to themselves.

One of the functions of the ASTA committee would seem to be to assure that 
the technical information is properly relayed to the Ohio Short Course.

DR. SCHERY VISITS GIRD HEADQUARTERS

Upon invitation from Garden Institute of Research and Development executives, 
Dr. Schery visited the Baltimore headquarters recently. Two days of 
discussions were held on such matters of mutual concern as proper information 
concerning the contemplated GIRD-approved seed blend for its associates, and 
the employment of the Lawn Institute "Seal of Approval" on the boxes.

MERION BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION AFFILIATES

Arrangements have been reached whereby the Merion Bluegrass Growers Association 
will participate in the Lawn Institute according to President Mangelsdorf.
The Merion Association appointed Mr. Arden Jacklin as its representative on 
the Board of Directors. We warmly welcome this added representation from the 
Northwest and trust it will prove to be the beginning of a broad affiliation. 
More information will follow since notice of this affiliation was received 
just as we were going to press.

LAWN/GARDEN/OUTDOOR LIVING CARRIES INSTITUTE STORY

The October issue of Lawn/Garden/Outdoor Living devoted almost a full page 
to review of Dr. Schery's presentation at the charter GIRD Conference.

The summarization appeared under the banner of "Lawn Conscious Prospect 
Needs Turf Care Advice." Dr. Schery emphasized the importance of the lawn 
in landscaping and enjoyment of the home. He pointed out that it was the 
obligation of the conscientious dealer who considered himself an authority 
to advise intelligently about lawn care. Inevitably this would lead to 
increased sales of profitable, quality products. "In this increasingly 
complex field, the average customer cannot be expected to keep abreast of 
technology - -. If one understands how an individual bluegrass plant - - 
behaves - - one almost automatically understands what a lawn needs."

INSTITUTE PHOTO USED

A photograph depicting lawn fertilization released through the Lawn Institute, 
appeared as a full-page illustration with an article on potassium use in 
turf, in Better Crops With Plant Food, October 1963 issue.

ADVISOR’S COMMENT

Dr. William C. Macksam, Institute advisor at South Dakota State College, 
recently wrote the Marysville office: "We should have the best lawns in the 
nation if for no other reason than bluegrass likes it so well, at least the 
eastern third of the state. We don't have serious disease problems as in the 
areas of higher humidity. - - I would like to accept your offer of Highland 
bentgrass seed. - - Keep up the good work. I look forward to receiving 
your articles and frequently make use of choice parts."

INQUIRY ABOUT SEED PRE-GERMINATION

The Lawn Institute received inquiry from Hamilton Williams, Turfgrass Research, 
County of Los Angeles, California, inquiring about information the Institute 
might have on pre-germination of seed. Dr. Victor Youngner, Institute advisor, 
had suggested Mr. Williams write.

The tabular data presented to the Agronomy meetings at the Atlanta meeting 
some years ago was resurrected, and a photocopy sent Mr. Williams. This 
concerned various soaking procedures on bluegrass and fine fescue, with 
the general conclusion that sprouting was so little improved by any procedure 
as to hardly be practical, considering the extra expense and effort.

GERMINATION INHIBITORS

The list grows, of one form of vegetation inhibiting seed sprout or growth of 
another. Perhaps the oldest studies were on juglone, an extract from black 
walnut roots, which interferes with establishment of a wide variety of plants 
(but not of Kentucky bluegrass). There has been indication of an extract 
from ryegrass interfering with the germination of preferred lawngrasses.

Our plots on the Lawn Institute grounds suggest there may be some inhibition 
of new seeding by old duff at the soil surface following cacodylic acid 
kill of the old vegetation. It is well known that extracts from quackgrass

are lethal to certain legumes such as alfalfa. In a report given this 
December at the Cleveland AAAS meetings, it was even shown that extracts 
from goldenrod interfered with the germination of jack pine seed. Apparently 
through years of natural selection, nature has devised many subtle schemes 
for reducing plant competition.

WEAR RESISTANCE OF TURFGRASSES

Dr. Victor Youngner, University of California, an Institute advisor, reported 
additional observations on the wearing of turfgrasses in the October issue 
of California Turfgrass Culture. He noted that spreading grasses such as 
zoysia and bermuda wore well and recovered best. Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass 
and fine fescues were all moderately resistant to wear. Although tall 
fescue wore well, it is interesting that "tall fescue and perennial ryegrass 
turfs became open and bunchy."

Dr. Youngner has continued to note that high clipping increases the wear 
resistance, probably both because there is a better cushion and because the 
grass then has greater vigor. He notes "close clipping significantly 
lowered the wear resistance of all mixtures (bluegrasses, fescues, ryegrass 
and Colonial bentgrass in various combinations) compared to the high clipping."

FERTILITY LOSS THROUGH AMMONIFICATION

An article by California workers, entitled "Leaching And Gaseous Loss Of 
Nitrogen From Some Nontilled California Soils," appeared in the November- 
December issue of the Agronomy Journal, reflecting continuing interest in this 
problem. The research supports previous evidence of increased ammonia volati­
lization from surface applications of urea, these increasing as pH, 
temperature, moisture evaporation increased, and as cation exchange capacity 
decreased.

In this particular test, involving ample irrigation on a well-drained soil, 
there was nitrate loss from leaching as well as ammonia loss through 
volatilization. But as in previous studies, the amount of nitrogen lost 
from urea through volatilization, greatly exceeded that lost from ammonium 
nitrate. Not a great deal of ammonia was given off from urea-folmaldehyde, 
presumably because there was no breakdown and release of the ureaform.
Manure proved an inefficient source of nitrogen.

CHEMICALS TO BOOST GERMINATION

There has been considerable recent interest in the use of fatty alcohols 
("hexadecanols"), as soil or seed applications to influence germination. Very 
extensive tests on Kentucky bluegrass germination were undertaken at the 
University of Illinois, and reported by Atsatt and Bliss in the November- 
December 1963 Agronomy Journal.

Although the fatty alcohols applied were influential, it is doubtful that 
the effectiveness is certain enough or inexpensive enough to be practical. 
Treatment of the seed resulted in lower germination. Solid or flake forms

of the alcohol applied to the soil were relatively ineffective. Liquid 
(emulsion) forms of fatty alcohol, when applied to the soil under conditions 
such as to form a moisture barrier preventing evaporation of soil moisture, 
did increase germination of Kentucky bluegrass giving improvement of stands. 
Rates of from 300 to 500 lbs. per acre were needed for significant increases.

SMITHSONIAN INTEREST

"I read with much interest your article in the September-October issue of 
The Garden Journal, "The Curious Case Of Highland Bentgrass." If you have 
reprints of this available, I would appreciate your sending me a couple, 
one for my personal collection and one to put in the Hitchcock-Chase grass 
library here at the Smithsonian." - Thomas R. Soderstrom, Associate Curator, 
Division of Grasses, Smithsonian Institution.

NORTHERN GRASSES FINDING SOME EMPLOYMENT IN GENERAL SEEDING MIXTURES IN THE SOUTH

Several seedhouses are including fine fescues, Highland bentgrass and Kentucky 
bluegrass in "all-purpose" seed mixtures for Florida, usually in combination 
with bahiagrass or similar seeded southern grasses. The northern grasses are, 
of course, temporary, but give attractive cover initially, or through winter 
when the mixture is used for autumn planting.

WINTERSEEDING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE

On October 2, Dr. Underwood's grass plots at the University of Tennessee 
showed all of the southern grasses still green, but interseeding successful, 
especially in all varieties of bermuda and bahia. Bluegrass seems to be 
the outstanding northern grass, persistent through summer in this climate 
under Underwood’s system of management. Appearance of burmudas and zoysias 
was improved where bluegrass was interseeded, obscuring the brownish 
undercast of old vegetation on the bermudas, and the yellowish-green of the 
zoysias as they approached winter dormancy. Bluegrass establishment was 
best where low mowing or vertical thinning had been practiced.

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA ADVISES

Dr. Granville Horn, at the University of Florida, Gainesville, feels that it's 
quite possible to establish Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues even in 
southern grasses so tough to winterseed as st. augustine. He suggests 
renovating st. augustine and centipede in winter, winterseeding in late autumn 
because very early wintergrass plantings suffer from disease in hot weather. 
Horn rates bermudagrass after st. augustine and centipede, in the order of 
turf covers important in Florida. Bermuda, and fourth-ranked bahia, are 
more amenable to winterseeding than st. augustine and centipede.

SUCCESSFUL WINTERSEEDING MIXTURE

Harrells, Lakeland, Florida, report success and enthusiasm with a seed mixture 
they have compounded for local golf course usage. The blend was chiefly

Highland bentgrass and fine fescues, with some Kentucky bluegrass and redtop. 
Recommended seeding rate is 8 lbs. per M. It is suggested that a green 
to be winterseeded first be vertically mowed, then topdressed, then seeded, 
then lightly topdressed a second time.

NO-MOW BERMUDAGRASS

When visiting Florida checking on the winterseeding work, there was considerable 
interest in a new bermudagrass, said to have been picked up at Mobile, Alabama. 
It seems to have slow, prostrate growth such that little mowing is needed.
Dr. Burt, at the Plantation Experiment Station, feels that for home lawn usage 
even weeks can elapse between mowings, almost unheard of with bermuda. It 
might be that such a habit would be advantageous to winterseeding with fine- 
textured northern grasses.

CONCLUSIONS FROM OCTOBER WINTERSEEDING CHECKUP

Dr. Schery voiced these general conclusions following his trip through the 
Southeast to stimulate interest in winterseeding experimentation and use.

The conclusions of previous reports still hold, pointing to moderate interest 
in winterseeding on golf courses, especially in the upper South and with fine 
fescues (which establish quickly).

Poa trivialis continues as a serious competitor for the winterseeding market 
among cool-weather grasses, its use furthered by recommendations from the 
Milorganite people.

Institute information and reprints have been gratifyingly received, with 
a number of Florida firms including such reprints as "Business Opportunities 
In Turf Reseeding" and "New Look For Winter Turf" in their own mailings.

To some extent the Institute activities have swayed merchandising opinion, - 
with Hastings, of Atlanta, for example, featuring a "fine-leaf winter lawn 
mixture" (containing Highland bent and Pennlawn fescue) as a result of Institute 
stories. Fine-textured mixtures are being stressed by several Florida houses, 
with requests for suggested formulae.

The experts are enthusiastic about better northern grasses for winterseeding, 
and lend the Institute program support.

The winterseeding market, if it develops, would seem to have its greatest 
destiny in northern Florida and the upper South; especially in southern 
Florida it is in competition with the flourishing sod industry.

Until lately, turfgrass information has not been well disseminated to the 
Florida populace, perhaps partly because of the complexity inherent this 
far South. In any event, there is room for more sophisticated merchandising, 
and an actual demand for good stories about winterseeding based upon research 
developments.

WEEDS AND TURF ASKS DIRECTOR SCHERY TO REVIEW MANUSCRIPT

"Dear Bob: Enclosed is the first draft of a manuscript on nematode control 
in turf prepared by the staff biologist of Weeds and Turf magazine. - - 
Because of your familiarity with turf problems, we would appreciate your 
helpful review of and comments on this feature prior to publication. - - 
Thank you in advance for your help, which will bring a more enlightened 
turf industry." - Charles D. Webb, Editor, Weeds and Turf Pest Control

INSTITUTE IN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ASSOCIATIONS

The Lawn Institute recently received xerographic proof from the Gale Research 
Company of Detroit, indicating that its listing will again be carried in 
the Encyclopedia of Associations. During the course of the year we receive 
many communications that keep up alert to national activities by being so listed.

WINTERSEEDING OPINION

In golfing circles, the opinion of O. J. Noer, veteran turfman, is widely 
acknowledged. Possibly some Institute members may want to use the 
authority of an O. J. Noer statement when discussing winterseeding of 
southern golf greens. A summarizing paragraph as O. J. sees it, as it 
appeared in the September-October Golf Course Reporter: " - - plots 
receiving Seaside bent at 1 1/2 bls., Poa trivialis at 3 lbs., common Kentucky 
bluegrass at 3 1/2 lbs. and Pennlawn fescue at 12 1/4 lbs. per M. have been excellent."

EARTHWORMS BENEFIT SOIL

Dr. H. Jacks, of New Zealand, reports that earthworms improve soil fertility 
remarkably. In a lawn they should be especially effective in recycling 
the nutrients in duff and thatch. Earthworm casts were reported by Jacks 
to be five times richer in nitrates than the soil, seven times richer in 
available phosphorus, and eleven times richer in potassium. The earthworm 
burrows also have a biological influence.

SEEDHEAD PREVENTION ON BAHIAGRASS

One of the objections to bahiagrass, easily plantable by seed in Florida, 
is unsightly and difficult-to-mow seedheads. It is said by Florida authorities 
that 5 lbs. of maleic hydrazide (MH-30) per acre applied once will prevent 
80% or more of the seedheads during the course of a year.

NUT SEDGE CONTROLLED WITH AMITROL

The October issue of Weeds carries an article by Ellis Hauser indicating 
that purple nut sedge was controlled with repeat application of amitrol.

CANADIAN RESPONSE TO REPRINTS

"Please forward. - - another 250 complete sets of the "advice" series of 
reprints. We’ve already distributed the 300 copies we received - - and 
the response has been most gratifying. It would seem as though the dealers 
in Canada are finally beginning to learn that product knowledge is essential 
to their survival." - C. A. Collings, Hogg & Lytle Limited, Oakwood, Ontario, 
Canada

HIGHLAND BENT COOPERATION

We are pleased that the Highland Bentgrass Commission includes the Better 
Lawn & Turf Institute seal in their advertisements appearing in Lawn/Garden/ 
Outdoor Living and other publications.

REPRINTS DISTRIBUTED

"Mr. Dealer: Be Prepared To Provide Lawn Advice" - September Home & Garden 

Supply Merchandiser

"Business Opportunities In Turf Reseeding" - September Weeds & Turf Pest 

Control Magazine

"New Look For Winter Turf" - Seedsman's Digest

"The Many Varieties Of Kentucky Bluegrass" - November Horticulture

"The Curious Case Of Highland Bentgrass" - September-October The Garden Journal, 

New York Botanical Garden

"The Grass Craze" - The Saturday Evening Post

"Lawn Conscious Prospect Needs Turf Care Advice" - October Lawn/Garden/Outdoor 

Living

ADVISOR’S COMMENT

"Was interested in your article 'The Many Varieties Of Kentucky Bluegrass.’ 
Although the CB strain did not look so good when seeded in 1960 it now has 
formed a dense resilient turf that holds on to its color longer than others 
--." - Dr. Glen M. Wood, The University of Vermont

"THE GRASS CRAZE"

A number of months ago James Skardon, writing for The Saturday Evening Post, 
was in touch with the Lawn Institute among other sources, concerning an 
article which eventually appeared in that magazine entitled "The Grass Craze."

The National Plant Food Institute had quantities of this article reprinted, 
and supplied these without charge to the Lawn Institute.

DIRECTOR'S PHOTO IM FLORIDA PAPER

When Dr. Schery was in Florida in October checking winterseedings, he was 
invited to be on the Ft. Myers Kiwanis program. His picture appeared in 
the Ft. Myers NEWS-PRESS with this caption: "Kiwanis Speaker. Dr. Robert 
W. Schery, director of Lawn Institute of Kansas City, Missouri, nationally 
recognized lawn and turf authority, will speak at Downtown Kiwanis Club 
meeting Monday --."

WINTERSEEDING REPORT

In light of the Institute's cooperation with the Milwaukee Sewerage Commission 
in furnishing seed for winterseeding, members will be interested in the 
Milorganite people’s epitomized report appearing in the 1963 "Agronomy 
Abstracts":

"Evaluation Of Cool Season Grasses For Winter Overseeding Of Southern Golf Greens.
C. G. Wilson, O. J. Noer and J. M. Latham, Jr., Sewerage Commission of the City 
of Milwaukee.

4 years evaluation of overseeding individual grasses and mixtures at various 
locations in the South indicate that the latter are superior to individual 
grasses. They provide the best season-long playing conditions and color, with 
no spring transition problems. The best quality ratings were from a mixture 
of Poa trivialis, Pennlawn creeping red fescue and Seaside bentgrass. Kentucky 
bluegrass increased overall quality in the Florida and Gulf Coast areas.
Domestic ryegrass winterkilled in the upper South in early 1963. Seeding 
rates are dependent upon seedbed preparation. The 1962-63 results show that 
rate of seeding can be reduced by thorough seedbed preparation and sandwiching 
the seed between heavy and light topdressings."

PUBLIC BECOMING ACQUAINTED WITH SEAL OF APPROVAL

"My job is essentially that of gathering information and teaching - - students, 
county agents, garden supply dealers and homeowners.

One thing I can report - - the public is becoming acquainted with the seal 
from County Agents, and I had an inquiry from a garden center operator as 
to the meaning of the seal which was being used as a selling point by some 
seed company. Progress is being made.

Again thanks for all the information. It is a real help." Hal Mosher, 
University of Massachusetts.

HOPE FROM READER'S DIGEST?

We wonder if the oft-delayed lawn story in Reader's Digest may yet materialize? 
This note was received by Dr. Schery from Editor William Hard:

"Dear Bob: Thank you for your letter and enclosure. I am sending this 
along to Don Wharton with the thought that he might be interested in preparing 
an article about lawns.

Best Christmas greetings. Yours, Bill".

FLORIDA AFTERMATH

One of the intangibles following visits, is how local authorities make use 
of an outsider’s appearance. Chan Baker, in Florida, followed up along these 
lines, in a mailing to jobbers and selected retailers: "The Lawn Institute 
Director, Dr. Robert Schery, states: Ryegrass is quick and easy, but it has 
a number of faults and has fallen into disfavor with golf course superintendents 
who must maintain greens of high quality for winter vacationers. Ryegrass 
is relatively coarse, not a very deep green and subject to a number of diseases. 
It requires generous seeding rates because the seeds are large and represent 
so few seeds per pound. Although cheap in cost per pound, it really isn't 
inexpensive but costs more than the more modest growing fine leaved winter 
grasses such as Highland bent and fine fescues."

INSTITUTE PHOTO UTILIZED

A Lawn Institute photo illustrating seed size comparisons was utilized with 
credit in the Flower & Garden Magazine article "Lasting Beauty Comes From 
Care Taken At The Beginning." The caption read: "The 2 1/2 million seeds per 
pound makes bluegrass most economical despite its high pound price. Under 
the magnifer at the right of this photo, it contrasts with the large size 
of seeds in a cheap mixture, predominately ryegrass."

INSTITUTE ADVISOR QUOTED

Dr. Henry W. Indyk, Institute advisor and extension lawn management specialist 
at Rutgers University, was quoted in the Oakhurst, New Jersey NEWS: "Invest 
in proper lawn seed mixture if you expect to grow a velvety, fine-textured, 
long lasting picture type lawn. The best kind of care you can give your 
lawn never will produce a satisfactory lawn if you plant poor quality seed.
- - suggests a mixture that contains at least 75% of the permanent fine- 
textured grasses such as common Kentucky bluegrass, Merion Kentucky bluegrass 
and red fescues. Mixtures that contain even more than 75% of these are even 
better. The Kentucky bluegrasses and red fescues are the basic ingredients 
of recommended mixtures - -."

NEW LABELING FOR IOWA

The Iowa Seed Law has been amended to specify that lawn seed must be listed 
under one of two categories - either fine-textured grass or coarse kinds.
L. E. Everson of the Iowa State University Seed Laboratory advises in the 
Oskaloosa HERALD: "Under this new labeling requirement, only the bluegrasses, 
bentgrasses, creeping red and chewings fescue may be included under the 
fine-textured grasses. - - The homeowner should recognize, however, that 
there are still differences in the fine-textured kinds. Kentucky bluegrass 
and creeping red fescue are considered by turf experts as the best fine-textured 
lawngrasses for Iowa."

AUTUMN LAWN ADVICE IN OHIO

In her "Dustmop Circuit" column in the Piqua, Ohio CALL, Kate Harrison
suggests early September as an ideal time to prepare and seed a new lawn.
" - - use top quality seed, which will give a good lawn - -. Kentucky bluegrass 
is the most important element of a seed mixture for a sunny lawn. A good 
mixture contains from 45 to 60 percent of this. - - For a lawn in shade, use 
a shady mixture - - (containing) a good percentage of red fescue, Chewings 
fescue or one of the improved fescue types."

COUNTY AGENT ADVISES

We are pleased to see Assistant County Agent, J. Edgar Ferrell, giving advice 
such as this in the Annapolis, Maryland CAPITAL: "A pound of fine-textured 
grasses will cost about three times as much as a pound of coarsegrass seed 
or inferior mixture. But considering the fact that fine-textured grasses 
have much smaller seeds than those of coarser grasses and that a pound of 
fine seed will contain as many individual seeds as three or more pounds of 
coarse seed therefore seeding an area three times as large, it all works 
out that one pays nearly the same for the so-called cheap seed as he 
would fine seed."

MIXTURES RECOMMENDED

Dr. Victor Youngner, turf specialist at the University of California, Los 
Angeles, Institute advisor and cooperator on winterseeding, has long commanded 
our respect for sound and practical advice, especially relating to the 
myriad of California environmental conditions. It is pleasing to see him 
quoted concerning "turfgrass seed mixtures," in the December issue of 
Western Landscaping News. With becoming modesty, Youngner suggests the 
following example mixtures, pointing out that they should not be considered 
as a recommendation for every situation:

SEED MIXTURES

(1)  General purpose mixture for temperate climate regions.

Kentucky bluegrass - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 60% 
Creeping red fescue ------------- 40%

Sow at 3 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. of area. Park, Merion 
or Newport bluegrass may substituted if desired.

(2)  General purpose mixture for sub-tropical climate regions. 

May also be used for fairways.

Kentucky bluegrass --------------- 75%
Hulled bermudagrass --------------

Sow at 3 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. of area. Turf will be 
primarily bermuda in 1 - 2 years.

(3)  Close cut fairway mixture for temperate climate regions.

Merion Kentucky bluegrass ----------- 
Creeping red fescue - -- -- -- -- -- -- - 
Highland bentgrass ------------- - 

40%
40%
20%

Sow at 3 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. of area. Highland bentgrass 
will dominate if mowing is 3/4 inch or less.

(4)  Shade mixture for temperate climate regions.

Red fescue ------------------ 
60%
Highland bentgrass --------------- 
10%
Poa trivialis -----------------  30%

Sow at 4 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. of area. This mixture may be 
used in subtropical regions also but will not be permanent. 
Zoysia and St. Augustinegrass are the only permanent shade 
grasses for these regions.

(5)  Playing fields and heavy use areas in subtropical regions.

Alta tall fescue ---------------- 
60%
Pensacola bahiagrass -------------  40%

Sow at 6 to 8 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. of area. Bermudagrass 
and Zoysia are also good and will be finer textured. Alta 
fescue also may be used alone.

(6)  All bluegrass mixture for temperate climate regions.

Park Kentucky bluegrass ------------ 
30%
Merion Kentucky bluegrass -----------  30%
Newport Kentucky bluegrass ----------  40%

Sow at 3 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. of area.

(7)  Quick growing turf for coastal areas only - not for areas 

of warm summer temperatures. May not be permanent.

Perennial ryegrass --------------- 
60%
Kentucky bluegrass ---------------  40%

Sow at 4 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. of area.

(8)  Quick growing turf for warm summer areas. May not be 

permanent.

70%
Meadow fescue ----------------- 
Kentucky bluegrass ---------------  30%

Sow at 4 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. of area. For permanent 
turf substitute at least 10% hulled bermuda for part of 
one of the above components.

A point of considerable interest is that Youngner does not shy from mixing 
cool-season and warm-season grasses where occasion warrants, and Highland 
bentgrass with fescues and bluegrasses (something the East has shunned in 
recent years).

WINTERSEEDING INTEREST STIRRED

Typical of some of the publicity that has appeared in the South, following 
Lawn Institute promotional efforts there, is this by Paul Harris, in the Fort 
Myers, Florida NEWS PRESS. In the "Garden Grooming" column, under a headline 
"Mixture Of Grass Seeds Advised For Beautiful Lawn In Winter," we find such 
statements as "Establishing and maintaining a healthy winter lawn is not 
difficult, expensive or complicated - - there's a better and more rewarding way 
to have the kind of lawn you dream of than by broadcasting ryegrass. - - 
Ryegrass robs the soil of plant food and water and the lush stooling 
spring growth often smothers or retards reactivation of the perennial lawn.
--  Homeowners and professional grass men are turning more and more to the 
quick-germinating lawngrasses used for permanent lawns in the cooler regions. 
Improved creeping fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and Highland bentgrass seeds 
begin to germinate in 7-10 days - -. They grow modestly and require less mowing
-  - these fine-leaf wintergrasses blend into the summer lawn and slowly disappear.
-  - A mixture of these grass seeds blended to provide an approximately equal 
number of plants of each variety contains over 3 million seeds per pound as 
compared to only 225,000 ryegrass seeds." There follow instructions for 
establishing, possibly picked up from the Institute releases.

CONTINUING INTEREST IN SOUTHERN WINTERSEEDING

Warren Meadows, Institute advisor and extension expert with Horticulture at 
Louisiana State University, asked permission to quote a Lawn Institute 
release in the winter issue of "The Louisiana Turfgrass Bulletin." This is 
the quarterly publication of the Louisiana Turfgrass Association.

Under the banner "A New Trend In Overseeding?", Meadows reviews the latest 
developments in winterseeding. Most of the article is devoted to the quote 
of the Institute story, viz. "Dr. Robert W. Schery, Director, The Lawn 
Institute, provides us with an interesting discussion - -. Among the best 
grasses in texture, color and hardiness are the bentgrasses, the fine fescues, 
and the Kentucky bluegrasses. 'Blue chip' names among them are Highland 
(Highland Colonial) bentgrass; Chewings, Illahee and Pennlawn varieties of 
fine fescues; and good quality seed of almost any Kentucky bluegrass (Park is 
recognized as a quick sprouter). - -"The article goes on to summarize 
each of these groups of grasses, and report on their economy.

Meadows' final question is: "With the advent of the hybrid bermudas, southern 
golf greens have taken on a 'new look' for summertime. Is a 'new look' for 
winter appearing?"

SEA ISLAND, GEORGIA

When in the Southeast, Dr. Schery visited with T. M. Baumgardner, Sea Island 
Company, Sea Island, Georgia.

Baumgardner seems to prefer ryegrass for winterseeding, since he must spruce 
up the grounds for tournaments at irregular intervals. However, he does not 
object to including other seeds in mixture with ryegrass.

Interestingly, a shipment of Poa trivialis was returned to Milwaukee when 
seed analysis disclosed undesirable weed content. The Poa triv was 
supposed to have been thoroughly recleaned and free of such pests as chick­
weed and shepherd’s purse.

WINTERSEEDING IN TRANSITION ZONE

It will be recalled that the Lawn Institute furnished seed this year for 
distribution to several golf courses in the Kansas City, St. Louis and 
Philadelphia areas, for trial use on golf course fairways that have been 
planted to bermudagrass. The seed was distributed through the Milorganite 
organization, according to the plan drawn up by the Sewerage Commission 
agronomists.

Among the several golf courses undertaking this experimentation, was Mission 
Hills, in the Kansas City area, Chet Mendenhall, superintendent. On November 
5, it was possible for Dr. Schery to drop by Mission Hills, and inspect the 
plantings with Mr. Mendenhall.

Because of the late autumn in 1963, bermudagrass, normally off-color by this 
date, was still green in Kansas City. Nevertheless, seedings with several 
quality northern grasses, and "the Lawn Institute mix," had become well 
established, were clearly visible as a green fuzz. While it was too early 
to pass judgement on the adequacy of performance and potential usefulness,
Mr. Mendenhall was very well satisfied with the practicality of the operations.

TURF EXPERIMENTATION AT TIFTON, GEORGIA

The Tifton Coastal Plain Experiment Station was visited chiefly to check 
winterseeding, but it is interesting to note the wide variety of turfgrass 
research being undertaken there. Of all the grasses under observation, the 
zoysias appeared outstanding in early October. Golf green bermudas, fertilized 
with as much as 18 lbs. of nitrogen per M per year, were also striking, but 
not better than the more easily tended lawn zoysias.

The difficulty with zoysia continues to be lack of an economical mower that 
can handle this tough, siliceous grass. De-thatchers have not been tested 
for zoysia. but it is recognized that occasional burning back to the ground 
(in winter) is helpful in renewing growth and eliminating thatch.

An extensive test on the wear of different kinds of turfgrass has been 
undertaken. As many as 64 passes daily with a golf cart are made across a 
series of test plantings. All wear proves harmful, but certain varieties 
revive more quickly than others. Of course good care is helpful.

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY CONTINUES BLUEGRASS WORK

Dr. Schery inspected the turfgrass test plots at the University of Kentucky, 
with Dr. Buckner in early autumn. This far south, the results with bluegrass 
varieties are often different than in more northerly locations.

For example, Merion is notably unsuccessful in Kentucky (rust is said to 
kill it in the seedling stage), and Newport has been a notable failure.
North European varieties such as CB, and imported Holland and Danish seed, 
have proven ill-adapted to local growing conditions compared to bluegrass 
from Kentucky-grown seed.

Dr. Buckner's best results have come from mechanically combining several 
selections he has made himself, from the southern portions of the bluegrass 
belt. The one he is currently emphasizing is constituted of nine separate 
selections mechanically combined. The textural appearance is finer than 
usual with bluegrass, resembling very much fine fescues (with which it 
should blend nicely).

RUTGERS TURFGRASS COURSE

Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, will hold its annual three-day 
turf course beginning January 13, 1964. Dr. Schery has been invited to 
discuss "The Importance Of Quality Seed," a presentation to be given the 
first day of the conference. Sessions are held at Collins Auditorium, on 
the agricultural compus.

MILORGANITE REPORT ON WINTERSEEDING

The Milwaukee Sewerage Commission has had mimeographed Charles Wilson's talk 
essentially as given at the Agronomy meetings, reported on elsewhere in this 
issue. A limited supply has kindly been sent for any distribution we care to 
make. If any member wishes to have a copy of "Evaluation Of Cool Season 
Grasses For Winter Overseeding Of Southern Golf Greens," please request same 
from the Marysville office.

The gist of the talk is favorable to Poa trivialis. A few quotes from the 
report as they mention other grasses of especial interest to the Institute, 
follow:

"Graham, reporting from Sarasota in December, found the heaviest seeding 
mixture containing Kentucky bluegrass was best, with the individual bluegrasses 
filling in surprisingly well. For many years, a few Florida superintendents 
have included Kentucky bluegrass in their overseeding mixtures. These tests 
show they were right in doing so. Bernard at DeSoto Lakes found a light 
topdressing on the seed to be quite helpful In earlier establishment of 
winter grass."

"In mid-January the heavier rates of seeding still looked best at Sarasota, 
with Seaside and Astoria bent starting to make a showing. Redtop, Highland, 
and this past year Velvet, have been consistently poorer than Astoria and 
Seaside during all the years of these tests. Pennlawn fescue and Poa 
trivialis were starting to show some injury from traffic, and this could be

considered yet another reason why mixtures containing Kentucky bluegrass 
are worthy of consideration. - -"

"About the same time, Warnecke, reporting from Atlanta, ranked Poa trivialis 
very good, which put it ahead of all other individual grasses. However, 
only the mixtures of trivialis, bent and fescue - or this same group with 
Kentucky bluegrass - ranked excellent."

"In late February Poa trivialis was the best of individual plots at Braeburn 
in Houston, but still ranked far behind the best mixed plots. In these 
trials, the presence of extra seed in masking Poa annua, which was just 
starting to show, was also quite striking."

"At this time the cold weather really started to hurt the South and our grasses 
also took considerable punishment. Latham, reporting from Memphis, found 
everything poor. The ryegrass had completely winter-killed; all bents were 
poor; and only Poa trivialis and Kentucky bluegrass were providing any color 
in the turf. The mixture of all four grasses looked best."

"Undoubtedly many will be justified in altering this for local conditions.
As an example, Kentucky bluegrass seems more important as one travels south. 
Since this basic mixture ’hedges bets' for both early and late in the season, 
Highland might be substituted for Seaside, as Seaside is both scarce and high 
in price."

GIRD COOPERATION

The Lawn Institute is grateful to D. Murray Franklin, of the Garden Institute 
of Research and Development, for his friendly cooperation in furthering 
Institute objectives. This is especially important at a time when the Lawn 
Institute budget is severely restricted, limiting some of the approaches that 
would normally be undertaken.

GIRD has not only accepted Lawn Institute suggestions on what constitutes 
a quality seed mixture, but has invited Dr. Schery to address GIRD associates 
on two occasions (charter conference at Penn State; winter meeting, Fort 
Lauderdale). In February Dr. Schery will cover "What Makes A Good Lawn 
Seed Mixture?", and additionally will speak at several regional training 
sessions for sales personnel.

ORGANIC GARDENING UTILIZES INSTITUTE RELEASES

The Rodale Books Inc. Publishing Company issued advance copies of an extensive 
new encyclopedia on gardening just before Christmas. One was circulated to 
Dr. Schery, Institute Director, for his opinion and criticism.

This extensive gardening encyclopedia is quite elaborate, including 1544 pages, 
with topic coverage ranging from landscaping through all garden operations.

We are particularly interested in the chapter concerning lawns. Some of the 
information is "tired," seemingly secondhand from older publications of others. 
Dr. Schery is quoted, but the quoted material not clearly delineated. While

such a chapter might be stronger if written by an expert in the field, it 
nonetheless adds to the "excitement" about lawns. It is good to have lawns 
covered as frequently as possible in all gardening books.

Several Lawn Institute photographs were employed in the lawn chapter, to 
illustrate various facets of the discussion. Their captions were essentially 
as issued with the photos, viz.: "Either red fescue or bluegrass will give you 
a fine turf, like that on the right above. Coarser grasses will produce a 
more rugged lawn, but one which looks rough as on the left." and "When you 
buy lawn seed, be sure to ask for the seed best suited to your use by 
its correct name. Both of the above are fescues; the slender one is red fescue, 
the other, tall fescue."

CHICAGO PAPER PLUGS FOR QUALITY SEED

In the Chicago, Illinois SOUTHTOWN ECONOMIST the homeowner is advised: "Do 
not buy the cheapest seed unless you want a temporary lawn. The old axiom 
'you get what you pay for,' is not necessarily true. In the case of cheap 
lawn seed, you often get less for your money than if you buy high quality 
seed."

The article then goes on with six other pointers for inexperienced seed 
purchasers, including: "First, prepare a good seedbed --. -- Second, use
only first quality seed. For this area use pure Kentucky bluegrass, or a 
mixture of at least 65% bluegrass with the balance composed of fine leaved 
grasses. Avoid ryegrasses and coarse-leaved grasses such as Kentucky (31) 
fescue."

INSTITUTE RELEASES UTILIZED

Tom Carlson, In the Janesville, Wisconsin GAZETTE, quoted Institute releases, 
viz.: "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." "Tests at the Lawn Institute have shown that fertilizers 
applied to frozen ground in January have a beneficial influence in thickening 
the turf and spring color - -."

FALL 1962 PRESS STORIES STILL BEING PICKED UP

The Baltimore, Maryland MORNING SUN utilized an article from the fall 1962 
press kit, "Fall Held Best Time To Seed A Lawn." Members may recall the 
story read in part: "Bluegrass seed mixtures can be successfully sown in 
spring, but autumn results are even better. There are many advantages to 
autumn, paramount being that Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescues and Highland 
bentgrass perform best during cooler weather while the weeds don't."

NEW YORK ADVISORY

Walter Androsko’s column "Rebuild Lawn By Mid-September To Guarantee Permanent 
Results" appeared in the Mt. Vernon, New York ARGUS, Ossining, New York 
CITIZEN REGISTER, White Plains, New York REPORTER DISPATCH, Port Chester,
New York ITEM and the Peekskill, New York STAR. Androsko advises: "The 
grasses which are desirable for Westchester County are Kentucky bluegrass and 
its selections, and red fescue. - - Red fescues are quite tolerant of shade 
conditions and are generally found to be the predominant grass in a shady lawn 
mixture."

BEWARE OF BARGAIN SEED

"Beware of bargain lawn seed. Read the label carefully.  A good seed mixture 
should contain 75% permanent lawngrasses. Kentucky bluegrass and Creeping 
red fescue are the best kinds for Iowa." - Washington, Iowa JOURNAL

FOR THE EAST

In the Baltimore, Maryland NEW POST, Tom Stevenson gives advice for seeding 
lawns under trees: "For heavy shade, - - a mixture of 20% Merion Kentucky 
bluegrass, 20% common Kentucky bluegrass, 55% Creeping red fescue --."

QUALITY SEED RECOMMENDED

Kansas City STAR garden writer, Mary Hobbs, seems to adapt from Institute 
releases in her advice: "Kentucky bluegrass and Oregon fine fescues are 
carefully processed and tested to insure top-quality seed with a low weed 
count, and that seed which passes top quality testing will be actually the 
most economical."

WHITNALL PARK TESTS

"After a decade of grass testing at Whitnall Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, common 
Kentucky bluegrass - the granddaddy of the bluegrasses - and its offspring, 
Merion Kentucky bluegrass, still reign supreme in the Milwaukee area. This 
public grass testing program is said to be the only one in the United States. 
The testing program was initiated in the fall of 1953 in cooperation with 
Charles Wilson of the Milwaukee Sewerage Commission."

WATCH LAWN SEED PRICES

The Middletown, Ohio JOURNAL carried this advice: "Watch that label on the 
lawn grass seed package, especially if the price of the seed is less than you 
would expect to pay. The cheaper seed mixtures often contain undesirable 
types - -. Kentucky bluegrass is still the best for this area."

KENTUCKY ADVISORY

Earl H. New, University of Kentucky Extension horticulturist, advised Kentucky 
residents in the Danville ADVOCATE-MESSENGER, Lexington HERALD and Louisville 
TIMES: "Common Kentucky bluegrass is the standard lawngrass for most of 
Kentucky. Good, clean seed of common Kentucky bluegrass usually is the 
best choice for an average Kentucky lawn - -."

ADDITIONAL WINTERSEEDING PUBLICITY IN MISSISSIPPI

As members realize, the Lawn Institute has encouraged winterseeding research 
at the University of Mississippi. In a previous Harvests, mention was made 
of the many Mississippi newspapers picking up a press release from Mississippi 
State University, quoting W. R. Thompson. In addition, our clipping service 
noted these stories in late October and November: Jackson ADVOCATE, Corinth 
CORINTHIAN, Louisville JOURNAL, Waynesboro NEWS, Durant NEWS, Pontotoc 
PROGRESS, Carthage CARTHAGINIAN, Hazelhurst COPIAN CO. NEWS, Tunica TIMES- 
DEMCCRAT, Booneville BANNER-INDEPENDENT, Okolona MESSENGER, Baldwyn NEWS, 
Herando NEWS, Clarksdale PRESS REGISTER, Koscuisko STAR-HERALD, Holly Springs 
REPORTER, Rosedale DEMOCRAT, Sardis REPORTER, Lexington ADVERTISER, Newton 
RECORD, New Albany GAZETTE, Tupelo JOURNAL. You may recall that the story 
reads in part: "When the low temperature severely injured the ryegrass, 
Kentucky bluegrass and Illahee fescue survived with little injury."

FROM SUNNY ARIZONA

The Mesa, Arizona TRIBUNE, definitely in bermudagrass country, still had this 
to say in early November: "Since bluegrass is the preferred seed for most 
sunny lawns, you will find it dominant in most mixtures. - - Other bluegrasses, 
fescues and similar permanent grasses make excellent combinations."

LATE AUTUMN USE OF INSTITUTE RELEASES

As late as early November, we were gratified to notice pickup of Institute 
press kit materials in a wide range of papers. Included were the Ann Arbor, 
Michigan NEWS, the Portland, Maine TELEGRAM, the Springfield, Missouri 
LEADER AND PRESS, the Portland, Oregon OREGONIAN, the Albany, New York TIMES 
UNION, the Kenmore, New York RECORD-ADVERTISER, the Columbus, Ohio DISPATCH, 
the Washington, Pennsylvania OBSERVER, the Zanesville, Ohio TIMES-RECORDER, 
and the Lafayette, Indiana JOURNAL AND COURIER.

Sample lines from some of these include: "The fine-textured quality grasses 
include the bluegrasses, fine fescues, bentgrasses and a few specialty 
species.", "The Lawn Institute reports that tests in Mississippi indicate 
much better catch of Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue overseedings when the 
permanent grass is first mowed low.", "Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues 
benefit from higher mowing, Highland bent from lower mowing, about 1 inch 
tall.", "While versatile lawn seed mixtures contain fescues as well as 
Kentucky bluegrass, it is the ability of bluegrass to spread by rhizomes 
that makes bluegrass seed mixtures especially useful.", "Top seed mixtures 
contain adaptable grasses such as fine fescues (Chewings, Illahee, Pennlawn

varieties) and Kentucky or Merion bluegrass --.", "Kentucky bluegrass, fine
fescues, or Highland bentgrass gain an advantage over weeds from autumn 
planting, - -.", "Kentucky bluegrass and its fine fescue companions of better 
lawn mixtures, may stay green until after Christmas, says the Lawn Institute.", 
"Kentucky bluegrass combined with fine fescues usually yield the best all-around 
turf with minimum attention. Park bluegrass can be included for fast sprouting. 
Highland bentgrass is excellent for moist or watered areas."

ILLINOIS ECHOES INSTITUTE SENTIMENTS

The University of Illinois is quoted as advocating: "As to seed mixtures, - - 
Kentucky or Merion bluegrass and red fescues are good perennial grasses for 
most lawns in the Midwest."

FLORIDA  PLUGS FOR WINTERSEEDING

Jack Cabler of the Extension Service, and Granville Horn of the research staff 
at the University of Florida, both of whom have been utilizing Lawn Institute 
seed for experimentation, were widely quoted in Florida papers during November.

In a special release out of Gainesville, Cabler discusses the "two-grass system" 
(permanent grass, with winterseeding in autumn). Cabler indicates that this 
system is applicable all over the state, with winterseeding generally 
practiced from October 15 to November 15. "The cool-weather grasses generally 
grow rapidly. Ryegrass is a quick and easy example, but it has a number of 
faults. Cabler believes finer textured grasses hold promise for the future, 
such as Kentucky bluegrass, the fine fescues (Creeping red, Chewings - -) 
and the lawn-type bontgrasses." This story appeared in the Pensacola JOURNAL, 
the Orlando SENTINEL, the Leesburg COMMERCIAL, the Cocoa TRIBUNE, and other 
Florida papers.

The St. Augustine, Florida RECORD gave even more specific recommendations, 
following a discussion of winterseeding research. Noted in the article were: 
"For several years, University of Florida researchers have been evaluating 
various cool-season grasses. - - (seed) a mixture of 2 lbs. - - fescue plus 
1 lb. of Kentucky bluegrass for a thousand square feet of lawn area. The 
fescue will germinate rapidly, giving an excellent color. Later the bluegrass 
fills in as the fescue begins to thin out. The transition using this mix 
should be excellent. - - Another good combination is 1 lb. of Kentucky bluegrass 
and 2 lbs. of Pennlawn fescue - - These suggestions are based on extensive 
research and experience. They are designed to enable Florida homeowners 
to maintain colorful and attractive lawns throughout the winter."

This is a nice follow-up on the publicity stories released throughout the 
South by the Lawn Institute last autumn.

MID-OCTOBER CLIPPING PICKUP

Among the papers utilizing Lawn Institute materials around mid-October, were 
the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PRESS, the Ann Arbor, Michigan NEWS, the Kansas 
City, Missouri STAR, and the Elgin, Illinois COURIER-NEWS. All of these

quoted the Lawn Institute directly. Snatches from the items include:

"Park, though noted as a vigorous sprouter, does not produce extra leafage.
Park, Arboretum and other varieties similar to natural Kentucky bluegrass 
seldom have thatch problems. The same is true for such fine fescues as 
Chewings, Illahee and Pennlawn. Bentgrasses are turfgrass delights when 
cared for. But creeping sorts are great thatchers. - - The more erect varieties 
such as Colonial and Highland thatch less --."

"Both Kentucky bluegrass and the fine fescues, the prime grasses of quality 
seed mixtures, grow to some extent right through winter."

"If bluegrass and fine fescue seeds aren't at hand, surely there will be 
weeds instead. Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue are harvested and cleaned 
by modern equipment, to sprout more surely and have fewer weeds."

"Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues are not injured by winter cold, although 
the ryegrass of bargain seed mixtures will almost surely be killed."

AUTUMN SEEDING BEST

Ilo Foltz, Lima, Ohio NEWS, seems to borrow heavily from Institute releases, 
viz: "The lawn can be no better than the grass chosen. Check the seed content 
on the package to be certain it predominates in 'basic grasses,' mainly 
Kentucky bluegrass and its varieties, backed by appropriate red fescue and 
bentgrass selections --."

YEAR-END CLIPPINGS

Of 22 clippings picked up by the service in the December 5 envelope, 9 were 
direct quotes of the Lawn Institute press kit, and 7 having to do with 
winterseeding in the South (for which the Lawn Institute has been active in 
stirring interest, even if not always directly quoted).

Also of interest was this item, which appeared in the Chicago, Illinois NEWS, 
circulation over 500,000. The item appeared in the "In Your Garden" column:

"Common bluegrass recovered more readily from diseases than Merion or 
Newport bluegrasses and proved to to the best of those presently 
available, a four year study at the government's agricultural research 
center, Beltsville, Maryland, revealed."

Another interesting quote is from Connecticut, where the New England Nurserymen's 
Association receives Lawn Institute mailings: "It is wise - - to use the 
best grass seed for a new lawn. Excellent for New England - - bluegrass 
seed with a mixture of fescue." Other text in the article, appearing in the 
Niantic NEWS, was obviously derived from the Lawn Institute release materials.

The Southern Cemetery, of Atlanta, gave by-line credit to Dr. Schery and the 
Lawn Institute, in an article entitled "Seed Hardy Wintergrasses." Sample 
sentences include: "Kentucky bluegrass is especially hardy, - -. Kentucky

bluegrass continues growing right through winter - -. The fine or red fescues, 
are hardy, too. - - Varieties such as Chewings, Illahee and Pennlawn are 
frequently selected, and have excellent dark green color. - - Highland bentgrass 
backs up the other stalwarts - -. Highland bent is a little slower - - but 
exhibits excellent late winter growth."

The Columbus, Ohio DISPATCH utilized one of the Institute shorts: "Bluegrass, 
fine fescue and bentgrass run little chance of burning when fertilized during 
the cooler weather of autumn and early winter, notes the Lawn Institute." The 
Pittsburgh PRESS, the Cincinnati ENQUIRER, and the South Bend TRIBUNE all 
made frequent use of similar shorts, mentioning the Lawn Institute by name.

First-rate advice continues to emanate from the Extension Service in New Jersey. 
This in the Irvington, New Jersey HERALD, in reply to inquiry about zoysia 
for New Jersey: " - - if you don’t have a situation where zoysia does 
especially well, you’ll be happier with a Kentucky bluegrass-red fescue lawn."

The Miami HERALD, the Fort Lauderdale NEWS, the Sanford HERALD, the Sarasota 
HERALD-TRIBUNE, and the Okeechobee NEWS all carried Florida winterseeding items. 
The Fort Lauderdale story utilized the picture furnished with the stories 
mailed out in autumn. Editor of the paper by-lined the article, and quoted 
Florida experts, including Dr. Evert Burt and Dr. Granville Horn, with whom 
the Lawn Institute lias been working closely. The article continued: "Dr.
Schery says ryegrass, once the favorite grass for winter, has fallen into 
disfavor with experts such as golf course superintendents who must keep high 
quality turf during winter months. - - Most successful two-grass mixtures 
were Highland bent plus Pennlawn fescue, Kentucky bluegrass plus Pennlawn 
fescue and Kentucky bluegrass plus Illahee fescue. Best three-grass mixtures 
were: Highland plus Seaside bent plus Kentucky bluegrass, and Highland bent 
plus Pennlawn feacue plus Illahee fescue. Best four-grass mixtures were 
Highland plus Seaside bent plus Illahee fescue plus Creeping red fescue and 
Highland plus Seaside bent plus Illahee fescue plus Chewings fescue."

Sample quotes from the other southern stories include: "Cabler believes finer 
textured grasses hold promise for the future, such as Kentucky bluegrass, the 
fine fescues (Creeping red, Chewings, Poa trivialis) and the lawn-type 
bentgrasses." "You can have wintercolor by planting Italian or other northern 
grasses (fescue, redtop, Kentucky blue or bent) now."

The Prentiss, Mississippi HEADLIGHT continues even this late in the season, to 
quote research at State College, Mississippi: " - - when the low temperatures 
severely injured the ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass and Illahee fescue survived 
with little injury."

PRESS KIT FILLER WIDELY USED

The small statements concerning the Institute and its grasses, which were 
included in the press kit, have continued to receive wide usage. Fillers, 
such as those below, have been picked up by such papers as: Fresno, California 
BEE; Springfield, Missouri LEADER & PRESS; South Bend, Indiana TRIBUNE; Arabi, 
Louisiana VOICE; Cincinnati, Ohio ENQUIRER; Cliffside Park, New Jersey 
PALISADIAN; Albany, New York TIMES-UNION; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PRESS;

Newark, New Jersey NEWS; Two Rivers, Wisconsin REPORTER; Manitowoc, Wisconsin 
HERALD TIMES; Kansas City, Missouri STAR; Columbus, Ohio DISPATCH; South 
Charlotte, North Carolina MUNICIPAL; Ann Arbor, Michigan NEWS; Pikeville, 
Kentucky NEWS.

"Kentucky bluegrass is one of man's more durable plantings, notes the Lawn 
Institute. In Kentucky and the Midwest sods of Kentucky bluegrass as old as 
the memory of white man are still producing commercial seed for modern lawns."

"Fine fescue is good for shade, notes the Lawn Institute. Fine fescues make 
excellent companions for Kentucky bluegrass in lawn seed mixtures, because 
they are able to survive well on dry soils in the shade."

"Highland bentgrass, with 7 million seeds to the pound, can best be sown with 
a well-engineered lawn spreader, notes the Lawn Institute."

"MILLIONS PER POUND. There are about 7 million seeds to the pound of 
Highland bentgrass, the most among good lawngrasses. Kentucky bluegrass has 
over 2 million seeds to the pound."

"Bluegrass, fine fescues and bentgrasses benefit most from autumn feeding, 
according to the Lawn Institute. These elite lawngrasses grow best when 
the weather is cool."

"PARK BLUEGRASS. Park Kentucky bluegrass is a 'synthetic variety,' says the 
Lawn Institute. Park, noted for its seedling vigor, is derived by planting 
together a dozen Kentucky bluegrass strains selected by the University of 
Minnesota."

"The difference between the fine or lawn fescues and the tall or hay-type 
fescues is critical in lawn making, notes the Lawn Institute. Purchase 
lawn seed mixtures that contain Oregon fine fescues such as Chewings, Illahee 
or Pennlawn - not coarse field fescues such as Alta or Kentucky-31."

"The Lawn Institute points out that the deep green color of lawns is
enhanced by generous use of lawn fertilizer."

"The fine fescues in quality lawn seed mixtures are fast sprouting, notes the 
Lawn Institute, but a mulch and regular watering cause new plantings to 
sprout more surely."

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT THE INSTITUTE AND ITS RELEASES

Your secretary kindly gave me material about the Institute including your 
book ’Outdoor Beauty,' which I find useful and thank you. Congratulations 
on your article 'Kentucky Bluegrass' in November Horticulture. It is the 
first article I have read that did not reveal a half hidden prejudice for 
or against one type or another, and I find that rather confortable. - -"

Robert L. Waln, President 
Men's Garden Clubs of America

"I have purchased a copy of 'The Lawn Book' and find it very interesting."

John J. Malesky 
Houston, Texas

"Thanks much for the packet of information which you sent out to lawn advisors 
under date of November 12. To me, one of the most interesting things in the 
packet was your article 'The Many Varieties Of Kentucky Bluegrass.’"

Louis A. Jensen 
Extension Agronomist 
Logan, Utah

"I have read 'Outdoor Beauty' with a great deal of interest and profit. - - 
Heaven knows - something is needed to offset the half truths of the special 
pleaders for various lawn supplies. Your fine book at the attractive price 
of 50¢ should be very widely distributed. It will certainly prove very 
valuable to the new homeowner as well as to the more experienced one."

Elliott G. Nathan 
Kansas City, Missouri

"I am a gardener, but not a very good one when it comes to top-dressing 
lawns. I am befuddled in my poor top-dressing jobs this fall. - - holler if 
I made a mistake. - - I feel better already now that I got this off my chest, 
and told a man that I can trust to correct me."

"Dear Dr. Schery: Thank you for the interesting reprints. - -"

Philip J. Lamendola 
Long Island, New York

Arthur Nelson, Professor
School of Biology
San Francisco State College

"Dear Mr. Stephan: Thank you for your letter relative to the acceptance 
of turfgrass information by the press, radio and television companies.
Our experience in this state has been similar. We are hard pressed to provide 
the quantity that could be used. I believe Dr. Schery does a fine job 
and have occasion to use and promote his releases frequently. The Institute 
is to be commended.

Dr. C. H. Skogley 
University of Rhode Island

"Yours was an interesting letter regarding Better Lawn and Turf Institute.
We subscribe to the Institute membership in full confidence that under the 
capable direction of Dr. Schery a lot of good is being done on behalf of 
industry and better turf throughout North America."

N. M. Rothwell
Hogg & Lytle Limited
Oakwood, Ontario, Canada

"I have just received your assortment of Lawn Institute publications, and I 
want to express my appreciation for same. - - Thanking you again, I remain - -."

John J. Malesky 
Houston, Texas

"We have your letter of November 1st outlining all the good things being 
accomplished by the Institute and we go along with this and we think a fine 
job has been done."

C. H. Farris, President 
Mitchelhill Seed Company 
St. Joseph, Missouri

"Let me express my appreciation to you again for your contribution to this 
Conference. I have received many favorable comments concerning the program, 
and it is you that merits the compliment. With kind appreciation, I am --."

Dr. Delbert D. Hemphill 
Professor of Horticulture 
University of Missouri

"Believe me, I appreciate receiving your newsletters and reprints - - also 
the news releases from Kansas City. These all provide me with ammunition 
and information for the county agents and news releases. - - Keep up the 
good work!"

Hal Mosher
University of Massachusetts

"I have read with interest your recent articles and releases and find them 
very well done and to the point. We use many of them in news releases 
locally and find them very useful in keeping up to date on lawn thinking.
- - Keep up the good work."

Dr. C. M. Harrison 
Michigan State University

"Thank you very much - - comments on our manuscript - - scheduled - -
next February. We really appreciate the degree of study you have obviously 
devoted to this paper - - and many of your comments will be incorporated 
into our final manuscript. It is because we are able to obtain the 
critical comments of experts like yourself that we are privileged to 
present - - articles - - of tremendous practical value."

Charles D. Webb, Editor
Weeds & Turf Pest Control Magazine

PRESS QUOTES

"When buying lawngrass seed, look for a combination of Kentucky bluegrass and 
Creeping or Chewings fescue. These should make up at least 80 percent of the 
grass mixture." - Waterbury, Connecticut REPUBLICAN

"Kentucky or Merion bluegrass and red fescue are suitable lawngrasses for most 
of Indiana." - La Crosse, Indiana REGIONAL NEWS

"If possible, sow seed to produce the same kind of grass now in the lawn or an 
all-purpose 50-50 mixture of Kentucky bluegrass and red fescue grass such as 
Pennlawn, Illahee - -." - Westwood, New Jersey NEWS

"It takes just as much effort to plant inferior quality seed as to put in a 
permanent lawn using seed of high purity and germination." - Ithaca, New York 
JOURNAL

"Kentucky bluegrass is the best grass for sunny places in good soil and is the 
backbone of good mixtures for sunny lawns." - Warrensburg, New York NEWS

"The most widely planted lawns of quality, from Atlanta northward, are of 
Kentucky bluegrass and such fine-leaved lawn fescues as come from Oregon.
The bluegrass-fescue lawn is not demanding." - Ann Arbor, Michigan NEWS

"In this area the right blend of bluegrasses and some good fescues make the best 
lawn mixture. Most quality dealers handle these combinations. The cheaper 
seed will often contain coarse grasses which grow rapidly but make a ragged- 
looking lawn." - Mansfield, Ohio NEWS-JOURNAL

"Choose a quality seed mixture, high in bluegrass and red fescue varieties 
(Chewings, Illahee, Pennlawn, Rainier, etc.) with but little 'haygrass' 
content." - Ann Arbor, Michigan NEWS

" - - a word of warning when selecting grass seed: Know what you're buying. 
There are many cheap lawn mixtures. These usually contain cheap quality 
seeds and some undesirable seeds. Read the label to make sure the seed has 
high germination and high purity. - -" - Willoughby, Ohio NEWS HERALD

"There is a tremendous difference in lawn seed. Two boxes of seed may weigh 
the same and seem alike, but there may be ten times the amount of seed in 
one package than another. Bluegrass seeds add up to about two million seeds 
to a pound. A more temporary grass comes to only 250,000 seeds to a pound." - 
Allan Swenson, Austin, Texas STATESMAN

"If you're establishing a lawn - fall's the recommended time to pay close 
attention to the kind of seed, rate of seeding and preparation of the seedbed.
--  Kentucky or Merion bluegrass and fescue are suitable lawngrasses for 
most of Illinois.

-- as to seed varieties Butler (University of Illinois) advises that
Kentucky bluegrass or Merion bluegrass and red fescue are good perennial 
grasses for most lawns in the Midwest. For a temporary cover, redtop or 
ryegrass may be used." - Homewood Flossmoor, Illinois STAR

"It is false economy to sow a cheap mixture; the best are the least expensive 
in the end. Lawngrasses which qualify for this distinction include Kentucky 
bluegrass, Merion Kentucky bluegrass and Pennlawn fescue." - Cincinnati, Ohio 
ENQUIRER

"Common Kentucky bluegrass is the standard lawngrass for most of Kentucky. 
Good, clean seed of common Kentucky bluegrass usually is the best choice for 
an average Kentucky lawn, since most of the selected bluegrass varieties on 
the market are either subject to disease or have not been tried sufficiently 
in Kentucky to be recommended here." - Earl H. New UK Extension Horticulturist 
New Castle, Kentucky LOCAL

"Bluegrass is the preferred lawn grass in the Midwest because it develops 
strong rhizomes. Mixtures of bluegrass varieties, such as Merion, Newport, 
C-1, Park, Delta, and Kentucky are best, since they offer maximum disease 
tolerance and vigorous growth. Use bluegrass containing some red fescue in 
shady areas --." Brazil, Indiana TIMES

"Grass seed is generally sold in mixtures of selected grass species. These 
grasses are compatible and augment each other in a lawn. Each grass species 
has certain growth characteristics; e. g. Kentucky bluegrass grows upright 
in full sun and red fescue is a low-growing creeping grass that fills in 
the spaces between the upright bluegrass plants. These two species are 
often used together to give a compact, complete turf carpet." - Barre, Mass. 
GAZETTE