VARIETIES Brunswick tops Purdue bluegrass rankings More than 40 named cultivars of Kentucky bluegrasses are available this year, according to Dr. William H. Daniel of Purdue University. He told LAWN CARE IN-DUSTRY that more than 70 have been named, and that many ex-perimentáis are in tests. "Currently we have 130 blue-grasses in test plots at Purdue, in addition to our Purdue ex-perimentáis," he said. "Also in tests are 60 ryegrasses and 80 fescues." He said turf managers are blending three to five cultivars available as one way of utilizing the preferred among those available. Seed companies have many mixes, and for a fee, will blend requested cultivars, he said. In 1972, a cooperative test of 38 bluegrasses was arranged by Penn State's Dr. Joseph Duich as a representative of the Northeast Turf Research group. The test series at Purdue has been main-tained at ample nitrogen Š three to four pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per yearŠwith irrigation to avoid drouth, with a cut of one inch or less plus weed killing and crabgrass prevention with herbicides. No fungicides have been used, Dr. Daniel said. In the period between 1975-79 a series of quality ratings were taken after stress periods of dis-ease so that 10 data were sum-marized, and then ranked, Dr. Daniel said. Following is the rankings, and main source of the seed. It must be strongly noted that these rankings represent results only at Purdue University in Indiana. Test plots in different parts of the country will yield different results, and this must seriously be taken into con-sideration by the lawn care busi-nessman. Again, these tests are for only one part of the country. Most seed companies will be happy to forward test results on their varieties in other parts of the country upon request from the lawn care businessman. Ranked first in the Purdue test was Brunswick, marketed by BUSINESS TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED PLCAA plans regional seminars next month in Ohio, Maryland, Missouri and New York Business seminars tailored specifically to the needs of the lawn care businessman are set for next month in four locations around the country. One-day seminars will be held August 9 in Binghamton, N.Y.; August 8 in Fenton, Mo.; August 5 in Rockville, Md.; and August 14 in Hudson, Ohio. All seminars are sponsored by the Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA). Fees are $10 for PLCAA members and $15 for non-members. Lunch is included in all sessions. Prior to August 1, lawn care businessmen can register through PLCAA headquarters by contacting: Jane Stecker, PLCAA, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1717, Chicago, IL 60611, 312-644-0828. After August 1, persons should contact respective seminar leaders by phone. Those leaders are: For the New York seminar, Don Burton, president, Lawn Medic, Inc., 1024 Sibley Tower, Rochester, NY 14416/ 716-494-1462. For the Missouri seminar, Paul Schnare, vice president, Atkins Lawn Care, Inc., 1123 Wilkes Blvd., Columbia, MO 65201, 314-874-8000. For the Maryland seminar, Jerry Faulring, president, Hydro Lawn, 656 Quince Orchard Rd., Suite 603, Gaithersburg, MD 20760,301-948-5252. WWN ^r j^ll ^WÊ Serving lawn maintenance Ł JJI^hh and chemical lawn ^^ ^^Fll1 care professionals. INDUSTRY JULY 1980 Ł VOL.4, NO. 7 Ł A Harvest Publication For the Ohio seminar, Gordon Ober, general manager, Davey Lawnscape, 117 S. Water St., Kent, OH 44240, 216-673-9511. The New York seminar will be held from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at Holiday Inn, 8 Hawley St., Binghamton. Topics include in-vestment planning and expan- sion in a recessionary period, lawn care and the pesticide dilemma and an introduction to PLCAA activities. The Missouri seminar will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Stratford House, 800 S. Highway Dr., Fenton. Topic will be "Managing a Lawn Care Com- pany with the Help of Financial Statements." Speaker will be Dr. Jim Drexler, extension specialist in business and industrial rela-tions at the University of Mis-souri. The Maryland seminar will be held from 9:15 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. at the Ramada Inn, 1251 W. Montgomery, Rockville. Topics include: "Staff Š Selection and Training for Sales and/or Service Positions," with J. Roger Finn, president of Anti-etam Tree & Turf Service, Hagerstown, Md. as discussion leader. "Liquid Versus Dry Applica-tion Techniques." Discussion leaders are Gary L. Mack, presi-dent, American Lawn of Mary-land, Inc., Walkersville, Md., and to page 19 Turf Seed, Inc., Hubbard, Ore. Ranked second was Plush, from F.F.R., Inc. Ranked third was Touchdown, from Pickseed West, Inc., Tangent, Ore. Ranked fourth was Merit, from O.M. Scott & Sons, Marysville, Ohio. Ranked fifth was Melissa, from O.M.Scott. Ranked sixth was Monopoly. Ranked seventh was Adelphi, from J & L Adikes, Inc., Jamaica, N.Y. Ranked eighth was Victa, from O.M. Scott. Ranked ninth was Rugby, from Northrup King to page 9 PULSE REPORTS LCI survey charts first quarter buying QUICK STARTS How pesticides affect thatch control page 6 Treating iron chlorosis in turf page 11 EPA lifts restrictions on dutch elm treatment page 12 How to determine mowing equipment costs . page 12 3M's underground irrigation system page 16 MEMOS 2 MEETING DATES 4 COST CUTTINGS 6 NEWSMAKERS 8 TOOLS, TIPS & TECHNIQUES 9 MONEYWISE 10 PRODUCTS 18 Almost 54 percent of respondents to a recent survey conducted by LAWN CARE INDUSTRY said they spent an average of $3,206 apiece on dry-applied turf fertil-izer during the first quarter of this year Š the months of January, February and March. Almost 12 percent of the respondents said they purchased an average of $9,607 of liquid-First quarter buying applied turf fertilizer during the period. Results for this first quarter "pulse report" are based upon figures submitted anonymously by 180 respondents. This repre-sents a 35 percent response to questionnaires mailed to readers of LAWN CARE INDUSTRY, ac- cording to LCI market research to page 10 PRODUCT °o of sample average projection to making purchase purchase LCI readership For a r 29It£ terviev SIDE 1 indeptl lawn c feature u intfiw HiaoN IS ISt&l 3N ^¿61 siaaoodd aaaiddfu Ł o^JSVW I4Ú1 -b¿8-1IÛ3 sa -sN-í*¿8¿£e-DC H CD D a z M DC < u z < 1-3 ^AQUA-GRU SSÄSSÄ" Irregular growth ot ^ turt in stratified soil ^^ when maintained ^^ with plain water Recovery of same area in two weeks when maintained with Aqua-Gro and water Ł Eliminates seed floating, reducing drought, heat stress, and disease. Ł Increases fertilizer and pesticide performance. Provides for improved plant ._onH nrnwth. Ł Compensates for poor soil mixtures and soil stratification Ł Helps eliminate hot spots Ł Allows for the rewetting of B & b stock and the establishment ^ ^ ^ of sod. establishment and growth. AOUA GRO is available in liquid concentrate or spreadable granular. For tree illustrated brochure wnte to: AQUATROLS CORPORATION OF AMERICA, INC. 1432 Union Ave.. ^ Jersey 0,110 (60S) 665-^30 L4WN GIRE INDUSTRY Editor/Associate Publisher: ROBERT EARLEY Assistant Editor: DAN MORELAND, KATHLEEN MILGATE Graphic Director: RAYMOND GIBSON Publishing Director: RICHARD J. W. FOSTER Communications & Promotion: NANCY WILKINSON Research Manager: CLARENCE ARNOLD Advertising Production: CHRIS SIMKO Editorial Secretary: JEANNIE SUTTON MARKETING/SALES Circulation Manager: ROSALIE SLUSHER (216) 651-5500 Circulation & List Rental: SHARON JONES (216) 651-5500 Marketing & Merchandising Services: FRAN FRANZAK (216) 651-5500 New York Office: (212) 421-1350 757 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 Midwest Office: JEFF DREAZEN (312) 236-9425 333 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60601 Southern Office: DICK GORE (404) 233-1817 3091 Maple Dr., Atlanta, Ga. 30305 Northwest Office: BOB MIEROW (206) 363-2864 1333 N.W. Norcross, Seattle, WA 98177 Classified: DOROTHY LOWE (216) 651-5500 9800 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44102 CORPORATE OFFICERS President/Chairman: JAMES MILHOLLAND JR. Senior Vice President: BERNARD P. KRZYS Senior Vice President: DAYTON MATLICK Senior Vice President: CHARLES QUINDLEN Vice President: RICHARD J. W. FOSTER HARVEST LAWN CARE INDUSTRY (USPS 397250) is published monthly by The Harvest Publishing Company, a subsidiary of Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. at 9800 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. Ohio 44102 (216) 651-5500. Copyright 1 1980 by The Harvest Publishing Company. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not De repro-duced either in whole or in part without consent of copyright owner. Controlled circulation postage paid at Cleveland, Ohio. SUBSCRIPTIONS: to Lawn Care Industry are solicited only from owners, managers, operators, buyers, agronomists, technicians, dealers, distributors and manufacturers of products associated with the lawn care and maintenance business. Position and company connection must be indicated on subscription orders. Publisher reserves tne right to approve all subscription requests. Single copy cost $1.00 for current issue. All back issues $1.25 eacn. Foreign $1.25. Sub- scription rates: $12.00 one year, $20.00 two years. $25.00 three years. Group and foreign air mail rates available on request. SUBSCRIBERS: Send chanue-of-address notices, correspondence regarding subscription service to Fulfillment Manager, Lawn Care Industry, 9800 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44102. Change of Address notices should be sent promptly, provide old as well as new address, attach address label from recent issue. Please allow one month for change of address to become effective. POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 to Fulfillment Manager, Lawn Care In-dustry, 9800 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44102. Harvest Business Publications Division Magazines include: WEEDS TREES & TURF, PEST CONTROL. NPCA Extra, GOLF BUSINESS. Publisher is not liable for delays in delivery and/or non-delivery in the event of Act of God, action by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity, fire, flood, insurrection, riot, explosion, embargo, strikes whether legal or illegal, labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, or any condition beyond tne control of publisher affecting production or delivery in any manner. MEMOS Lawn care marketing: How do you as a lawn care busi-nessman survey a potential residential market? One lawn care businessman we spoke with recently looks at it this way. It really does not matter how big a market is, as long as it is not too competitive, and as long as you can get at least $60,000 worth of production out of a spray truck, or whatever gross you need to keep a unit or a crew going. He determines the number of single-family homes in any given area, and estimates that 10 percent will never be inter-ested in a lawn care service. Another 10 percent will always he do-it-your-selfers. Another five percent will always be what he calls "up-market" homes that will use private gar- deners. That leaves an average of about 75 percent of single-family homes that have potential to become customers. He then says that once the potential dollars to be obtained from "first-users" becomes less than 20 percent that the market should be considered too heavily competitive and might be limited in terms of growth potential. Leasing for cash-short companies: Equipment leasing has become a way out for more cash-short companies. Railroad equipment and airplanes used to be the mainstays of the business, but leasing has grown to touch almost all segments of industry, says David Woolsey, senior vice president at GATX Leasing. Short-term leases Š for as many as five years or so Š are growing faster than the big long-term leases, Woolsey says. Short-term items include trucks, trailers, autos, computers, containers and the like. The American Association of Equipment Lessors estimates that $150 billion in lease contracts currently are outstanding world-wide. The trade group says this should rise to more than $200 billion by the mid-1980's. Citicorp Industrial Credit, says its leasing business has grown more than 20 percent in each of the past three years. Among the advantages of leasing instead of buying: An improved cash flow,-the flexibility to replace aging machines with newer equipment and certain tax benefits. Dutch elm disease cure? A University of Chicago medical stu-dent says he might have stumbled across a solution to the Dutch elm disease while attempting to discover a cure for cancer. William J. Elliott was studying ways of synthesizing maytansine, a potent anti-cancer drug, when he learned a chemical analog of that drug attracts beetles that cause Dutch elm disease in elm trees. An analog is a man-made equivalent of a natural chemical. Elliott and his colleagues say they have developed a method to produce the analog Š multistriatin Š and that the raw materials are cheaper to buy than gasoline. He said a vial of the chemical is placed at the base of a tree and the beetles get entangled in fly paper when they venture near the attractive chemical. Josef Fried, the professor directing the research, says enough multistriatin has been produced to attract all the elm tree beetles in North America. Trees increase home selling price: A poll of realtors and property owners recently indicated that trees may enhance the value of a property by as much as 20 percent, with an average increase of five to 10 percent. This translates to a $3,-000 to $7,000 jump in its selling price. This study permits estimates of the net contributions of trees to property values. It is available from: Dr. Brian R. Payne, Hilton House, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01002. Bright future for service firms. Service industries Š in-cluding the growing lawn care industry Š had a good year in 1979 and can look forward to a bright future, according to the federal Commerce Department. While the recent and projected performance of the manu-facturing sector generally has been languid, the department said business is booming in service industries. That con-clusion, contained in an advance chapter of the department's annual publication, U.S. Industrial Outlook, is not completely surprising in light of the growing importance of services in the U.S. economy. The overall growth is illustrated by previ-ous Commerce Department figures showing that the service sector climbed to 43.7 percent of the nation's output in 1978 from 37.2 percent in 1958. Growing metro areas: The fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. during the next four years will be the Fort Myers and Cape Coral area in Florida; the Richland, Ken-newick and Pasco region in Washington State; and the Brownsville, Harlingen, San Benito area in Texas, says a study by Sales Ir Marketing Management magazine. Short story of great beauty. This little bluegrass came to market from Sweden and became a best seller. Fylking Kentucky bluegrass forms a luxurious, low-growing, fine-textured thick turf. It establishes fast, develops a greater density of rhizomes and roots. Fylking is tough, with improved resistance to many diseases, and better tolerates drought, heat, cold, smog and foot traffic. Greens up early, stays green through summer and late into fall. Great as the backbone bargain for lawn turf seed mixes. Fylking performs well when cut low (even low as one-half inch). Fylking Kentucky bluegrass costs less than most other elite blues. In short, insist that this best seller be included in every lawn seed mix. Fylking Kentucky bluegrass. FYLKING KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS ~ Another fine, quality-controlled product of Jacklin Seed Company. MEETING DATES ÎH OC EŠ CO D Q 2 w oc < u 2 < J American Sod Producers Association Summer Convention & Field Days, Four Seasons Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, July 20-22. Contact: American Sod Producers Association, 9th & Min-nesota, Hasings, NE 68901, 402-463-4683. Ohio State University Turfgrass Research Field Day. Turfgrass Research Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, August 5. Contact: Keith Karnok, OSU Department of Agronomy, 1827 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, 614-422-2591. Illinois Landscape Contractors Associa-tion Annual Summer Field Day, Chicago Horticultural Society Bot lie Gardens, Glencoe, 111., August 6. Contact: Lucile Little. ILCA, 202 W. Maine. Box 1049, St. Charles, IL 60174, 312-5845770. 1980 Rutgers Turfgrass Research Day. New Brunswick, N.J., August 6. Contact: Ralph E. Engel, P.O. Box 201, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, 201-932-9427. 1980 Penn State Turfgrass Field Days. Joseph Valentine Turfgrass Research Center, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa., August 6-7. Contact: Dr. Joseph Duich, 21 Tyson Building, Department of Agronomy, University Park, PA 16802, 814-865-9853. Residential Landscape Design Course I, Seattle, Wash., August 7-9. Contact: John Shaw, executive director, Associated Landscape Contractors of America, 1750 Old Meadow Road, McLean, VA 22102, 703-821-8611. Iowa State University Turfcrass Field Day, Horticulture Researcn Station, Ames, Iowa, August 12. Contact: A.E. Cott, extension norticulturist, Depart-ment of Horticulture, Iowa State Univer-sity, Ames. IA 50011, 515-294-1870. Lawn, Garden Outdoor Living, Division of National Hardware Show, McCormick Place, Chicago, 111., August 13-16. Contact: National Hardware Show, Charles Snitow, 331 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10017,212-682-4802. Tan-Misslark Trade Show. Astro Hall, Houston, Texas, August 16-19. Contact: Bill Fullingim, Texas Association of Nurs-erymen, 512 E. Riverside Drive, Austin, TX 78704, 512444-7489. Rhode Island Turfgrass Field Day. Turf Research Farm, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, R.I., August 20. Contact: Professor C.R. Skogley, Plant and Soil Science Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, 401-792-2570. Western Regional Grounds Maintenance and Equipment Show, Bear Creek Park, Colorado Springs, Colo., August 26. Con-tact: Frank Cosgrove, regional director, National Recreation and Park Associa-tion, 3500 Ridge Road, P.O. Box 6900, Colorado Springs, CO 80934. Ohio Turf and Landscape Day, Ohio Agri-cultural Research and Development Cen-ter, Wooster, Ohio, September 9. Contact: Dr. Dave Nielsen, OARDC, Wooster, Ohio 44691, 216-264-1021. 6th Annual Garden Industry of America Cc ference & Trade Show, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Md., Sep-tember 12-14. Contact: GIA Cor' rence & Trade Show, Box 1092, Minneapolis, MN 55440,612-374-5200. VPI & SU Turfgrass Research Field Days, Turfgrass Research Center, Blacksburg, Va., September 16-17. Contact: John R. Hall, III, extension specialist, VPI & SU, 426 Smyth Hall. Blacksburg, VA 24061, 703-961-5797. National Lawn & Garden Distributors Association Annual Convention, Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles, Calif., Septem- ber 16-19. Contact: Nancy S. Irving, ex-BOOTS HERCULES Nitroform from tiÜGER :ih;W i : ROOTS mMMlDING FLUSH TOP GROWTH You can feed the roots of grass while you feed the tops Š and still avoid excess top growth. With Nitroform from Boots Hercules. Quick release nitrogen primarily feeds the top, resulting in too much top growth and little or no root growth. Nitroform Powder Blue is the sensible release nitro-gen. It will not burn or streak. It can also be mixed and applied with insecticides and BOOTS HERCULES QuOOn fungicides. It helps grass maintain a good green color between feedings. Use Nitroform Powder Blue in your lawn sprays Š or Blue Chip for dry application. Write direct for additional information. If your fertilizer isn't lasting long enough, it doesn't contain Nitroform. NOTE: Ask about Deltic, the new insecticide to elim-inate ticks and fleas in lawns. Ideal for the lawn care operator who wants to enlarge his business. BOOTS HERCULES AGROCHEMICALS CO. WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19803 302/575-7850 ecutive director, NLGDA, 1900 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19103. International Franchise Association Tax Seminar . Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Chicago, 111., September 22-24. Contact: IFA, 1025 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Suite 1005, Washington, D.C., 20036, 202-659- 0790. Northwest Turfgrass Annual Conference, Sunriver Lodge, Sunriver, Ore., Septem- ber 22-25. Contact: Dr. Roy Goss, ex-ecutive secretary, Northwest Turfgrass Association, Western Washington Research and Extension Center, Puyallup, WA 98371, 206-593-8513. Central Plains Turfgrass Foundation, Kansas State University Turf Conference, KSU Union, Manhattan, Kan., September 30-0ctober 2. Contact: R.N. Carrow, sec--etary/ treasurer, Horticulture Depart-ment" Waters Hall, Kansas State Univer-sity, Manhattan, KS 66506, 913-532-6170. Kentucky Turfgrass Conference & Field Day, Eastern Kentucky University, Rich- mond, Ky., October 7-9. Contact: Kenneth B. Rue, president, Kentucky Turfgrass Council, 3110 Brownsboro Road, Louis-ville. KY 40206, 502-893-7137. op, Beverly Hills Hotel. Beverly Hills, Calif., October 8-9. Contact: International Franchise Association, 1025 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Suite 1005, Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-659-0790. Symposium on Turfgrass Insects, Holiday Inn, Columbus, Ohio, October 14-15. Con-tact: Dr. B.G. Joyner, Plant Diagnostic Labs, ChemLawn Corp., 6969 Worthington-Galena Road, Suite L, Worthington, OH 43085, 614-8859588. Southwest Turfgrass Association Conference, New Mexico State Univer-sity, Las Cruces , N.M., October 16-17. Contact: Arden A. Baltensperger, secre-tary/treasurer, Southwest Turfgrass Association, New Mexico State Univer- sity, P.O. Box 3-Q, Las Cruces, NM 88003. Second National Irrigation Symposium, Nebraska Center for Continuing Educa-tion, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb., October 20-23. Contact: Dr. Dale Heermann or Dr. Del Fangmeier, Depart-ment of Soils, Water and Engineering, University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ 85721, 602-626-1412. Franchise Management Workship, Con- tinental Plaza, Chicago, 111., October 22-23. Contact: International Franchise Association, 1025 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Suite 1005, Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-659-0790. Franchise Management Workshop, Con-Town Holiday Inn, Alexandria, Va., November 5-6. Contact: International Franchise Association, 1025 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Suite 1005, Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-659-0790. Missouri Lawn and Turf Conference, University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo., November 5-7. Contact: Dr. John H. Dunn, professor of horticulture, 1-43 Agriculture Building, Columbia, MO 65211,314-882-7838. Southern Turfgrass Conference, Bir-mingham Hyatt House, Birmingham, Ala., November 9-12. Contact: Dr. Euel Coats, executive secretary, Southern Turfgrass Association, Drawer CP, Mississippi State State, MS 39762, 601-325-3138. National Lawn Care Business Conference. Sheraton Twin Towers, Orlando, Fla., November 10-13. Con-tact:Erik Madisen, Jr., Box 1936, Ap-pleton, WI 54913, 414-733-2301. Maintenance Symposium. Washington Plaza, Seattle, Wash., December 1-3. Con-tact: John Shaw, executive director, Asso-ciated Landscape Contractors of America, 1750 Old Meadow Road, McLean, VA 22101, 703-893-5440. Virginia Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show, John Marshall Hotel, Richmond, Va., January 20-22, 1981. Contact: John R. Hall. Ill, extension specialist, VPI & SU, 426 Smyth Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 703-961-5797. ALCA Annual Meeting & Trade Exhibit, Hvatt Regency, New Orleans, La., February 8-13, 1981. Contact: John Shaw, executive director, Associated Landscape Contractors of America, 1750 Old Meadow Road, McLean, VA 22101, 703-893-5440. 50th Annual Massachusetts Turfgrass Conference & Industrial Show, Springfield Civic Center, Springfield, Mass., March 3-5, 1981. Contact: Joseph Troll, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Stockbridge Hall, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, 413-545-2353. if O® a z o $ $ 2 CD I CD 9-« O C 3 3 S5. c/> ® 5 w $ w CO 3 CO o ? i 3 2 <0 0 to ro to City Mail To: Company Name Your Title First Initial --Š Š Š Š rt> _ Š Š Š -Š Š Š »ST --Š Š 3 » CD ® -Š Š Š ® Š Š Š p Š Š Š Š Š a? to ŁŁ Ł Ł 3*1**1 OIVAUO ŁŁŁŁŁ 2* Ipllfll îïijïi * ffîsf If 5 I g ŁiSiMii KSf HlLiü ìHioiil 111 siIs ÎII ilii 11 ill ini J|||g II1!! JULY 1980 (Expires in 60 days) reader service card Use this card to obtain more information... fast. A UJ >. UJ OiO t < < UJI UJ 5 «vi?« iz- 2 s S ó 1 O _J < s > Q. M> fe UJ tr S CO S s CO UJ Q. UJ 2 CO D CD S h-% OC C B Eight good reasons to join the Professional Lawn Care Association of America. l. "An annual national lawn care convention for the professional exchange of new ideas and operating know-how, and a chance to meet with suppliers/* Rick White, Village Green Lawn Spraying, West Chicago, III. "Consumer education ... informing potential customers of the advantages of lawn care and the importance of putting the proper care of lawns into the hands of dedicated, trained, skilled professionals." Tom Brune, Atwood Lawn Spray, Sterling Heights, Mich. 3. "Conferences, clinics and workshops aimed at continuing management education for today's business climate and conditions relating to the lawn care industry." Jim Kelly, Keystone Lawn Spray, Wayne, Pa. 4. 5. "Specially designed training programs for sales, service and supervisory employes of member firms to teach the fundamentals of business, customer relations, lawn care technology and the importance of economics to business success." Gordon Ober, Davey Lawnscape Service, Kent, Ohio "Government relations ... PLCAA, as a spokesman for the entire industry, can present our interests with greater force and effectiveness than can an individual company. Government legislation is going to affect our industry more and more, and we have to make our needs known." Ronnie Zwiebel, Chem-Care Lawn Service, Birmingham, Ala. "Establishment of acceptable technical, ethical and safety standards to guide existing lawn care businesses and newcomers to the industry." Dr. Paul Schnare, Atkins Lawn Care, Columbia, Mo. 7 "Association funding for the specific research and development we need for the lawn care industry." Frank Stevens, Pro-Lawn-Plus, Baltimore, Md. "Surveys to enable each PLCAA member company to compare its performance against the average performance of all member companies and to compare business performance factors, such as sales volume, profit, investment and growth." Marty Erbaugh, Lawnmark Associates, Peninsula, Ohio These are only some of the things the lawn care industry as a whole can accomplish through the Professional Lawn Care Association of America. Ours is a young industry, we need to be recognized as professionals and the experts we are. We need to get the word out about the lawn care industry to potential customers, suppliers to the industry and to government at the local, state and federal level. We can't do it alone. We need the support of the entire lawn care industry if we are to realize our goals. Tell me more. The Professional Lawn Care Association is off and running. Together we can make things happen. Grow with PLCAA. Complete this application for further information and mail it today. NAME COMPANY. STREET_ CITY TITLE--STATE. -ZIP. Mail to: PLCAA Suite 1717 435 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611 PESTICIDES >-oc h GO 5 2 w < u 2 £ < Thatch control important in overall turf management program Recent research indicates that some pesticides may have a marked effect on thatch ac-cumulation. As reported in Agronomy Journal, Dr. Richard W. Smiley, assistant professor of turfgrass patholgy at Cornell University, with research sup-port from M.M. Craven, con-ducted a study to determine the effects of fungicides on thatch and pH. After testing 14 fungicides and one nematicide on Kentucky bluegrass turf through three seasons of application, Dr. Smiley concluded that different fungicides induce significant variations on thatch accumula-tion, with some spurring signifi-cant accumulation while others cause little or no accumulation. -fJetia TURf TYPE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS "Our results indicate that decomposition of thatch was possibly impeded through the in- hibition of microbial activities by unfavorable pH environment and/or by direct toxicity of the fungicides," Dr. Smiley told LAWN CARE INDUSTRY. He says that decomposition of sulfur-bearing fungicides contributed sufficient acidity to inhibit the decomposition of thatch and these acidification processes explain the magnitude of thatch accumulation in most instances. "In this study, the combined application of ethyl thiopahanate and thiram contributed the highest sulfur amounts. It would require about three pounds of lime per 1,000 square feet per year to neutralize the acidity contributed to soil by this fungicide program," he said. Thatch depth measurements where the combination of thiram and ethyl thiophanate were ap-plied showed a thatch depth of 18.4 millimeters and a pH level of 5.7. Non-treated control grass showed a 6.3-millimeter thatch depth and a pH of 6.3. But, Dr. Smiley points out, acidification is not responsible for thatch accumulation in plots treated with non-sulfur-bearing fungicides, which displayed thatch depths of 13.8, 17.0 and 16.1 millimeters, respectively, while showing pH levels above 6.0. "For these treatments, it ap-pears that direct toxicity towards the microflora is more important than indirect suppres-sion through acidification of soil," he said. In contrast to these fungicide treatments resulting in signifi-cant thatch accumulation, turf-grass treated with other fungicides such as cyclohex-amide (Acti-dione TGF), cyclohexamide plus quintozene to page 13 COST CUTTINGS How to prevent employe pilferage On Tuesday, you notice that two bags of fertilizer are missing from a storage area. On Thursday, a weed-eater disappears. Assorted tools, chemicals and office equipment also have re-cently vanished at an alarming rate. You, like many lawn care operators, have an employe pilferage problem. What can you do about it? Saul D. Astor, president of Management Safeguards, Inc., New York, N.Y., says, "To prevent pilferage, an owner manager must recognize that some employes cannot be trusted and make all employes aware that he or she is taking steps to thwart dishonest personnel. Such steps include set-ting up a system of loss prevention (devices and procedures), administering the system rigidly and auditing it often to dis- courage dishonest employes who try to bypass the system." Astor recommends a number of guidelines for reducing employe pilferage including: Ł All padlocks should be snapped shut on hasps when not in use to prevent the switching of locks. Ł Keys to padlocks should be controlled. Never leave the key hanging on a nail near the lock where a crooked worker can "borrow" it and have a duplicate made while he or she is away from work. Ł Trash should not be allowed to accumulate in, or be picked up from, an area near storage sites of valuable materials (fertilizers, chemicals, mowers, etc.). Ł Inspect disposal locations and rubbish trucks at irregular intervals for the presence of salable items when you have the slightest reason to suspect collusion between employes and trash collectors. Ł Trash pickups must be supervised. Companies have been systematically drained over long periods by alliance between crooked employes and trash collectors. Ł Control receiving reports and shipping orders (preferably by numbers in sequence) to prevent duplicate or fraudulent payment of invoices and the padding or destruction of ship- ping orders. Ł Receiving reports should be prepared immediately upon receiving a shipment. Delay in making out such reports can be an invitation to theft or, at best, result in record keeping errors. Ł Employes who are caught stealing should be prosecuted. Settling for restitution and an apology is inviting theft to con-tinue. Ł Never assign two or more members of the same family to work in the same area. You can expect blood to be thicker than company loyalty. Ł Make a dependable second check of incoming materials to rule out the possibility of collusive theft between drivers and employes who handle the receiving. Astor's comments are excerpted from a Small Business Ad-ministration pamphlet entitled "Preventing Employe Pilferage." For a free copy of the pamphlet write P.O. Box 15434, Fort Worth, TX 76119. Free from Hypro Sprayer Pump Handbook New Edition! 8 pages of helpful information to help you select and use your pumps better. Hookup diagrams for piston, roller and centrifugal pumps. Graphs of pump outputs, flow through spray nozzles. Data on pump and sprayer component selection plus much more. Send for your free copy now. When you need pumps for sprayers or pressure wash systems make your choice Hypro. A DIVISION OF LEAR SIEGLER INC 319 Fifth Ave NW. St Paul MN 55112 Ł (612) 633-9300 Preserve Your Copies of LAWN CARE INDUSTRY in PER41NNENT BINDERS only $5.00 Custom-made binder easily holds entire years copies of LCI magazine. Green binder with logo protects your magazines and gives your library a neat appearance. Magazines can be inserted as they are received....send check or money order to: (Add $1.25 per Binder Shipping Chg.) Allow 6-8 Weeks Delivery. LAWN CARE INDUSTRY 9800 Detroit Ave. Ł Cleveland, Ohio 44102 - * , There's a reason wtjy Fiesta has become one of the most popular varieties in such a short time. To find out why ask your local seed dealer or write: pickseed PICKSEED WEST, Inc. ŁftOM 888. TANGENT. OREGON 07389 (503) 92*8986 Ł ' Ł Ł V . Write 114 on free information card For the turf you care for: proven protection against nine damaging diseases from America's leading fungicide for turf. Now a 500 gram per liter flowable formulation. Daconil 2787 is the broad-spectrum fungicide that helps you fight such problems as dollar spot, gray leaf spot, large brown patch and red thread. Easy to handle with great flowability. Disperses quickly in the spray tank. Effective even in hot weather. Daconil 2787 also provides effective disease control on a number of ornamentals. Now in a new 500 g/l formulation. Diamond Shamrock gives you all the help you need for weed problems, too. Dacthal® is the preemergence herbicide that controls more than 20 weeds and unwanted grasses. Stops early and late germinating weeds without affecting healthy, growing turf grasses. Tough weeds like crabgrass and Poa annua can't stand up to Dacthal. Dacamine® gives postemergence control of over 70 broadleaf weeds including dandelion, annual chickweed, knotweed and Canada thistle. Kills 'em right down to the roots so they won't come back. Daconate® gives the postemergence herbicide that knocks out nutsedge, chick-weed, wood sorrel, sandbur and othergrassy weeds. It's a ready-to-use liquid herbicide with a built-in surfactant for uniform wetting. For beautiful turf and ornamentals, count on the big four from Diamond Shamrock to make your job easier. Write 119 on free information card & Diamond Shamrock The resourceful company. See your turf chemicals supplier, or contact the Diamond Shamrock Agricultural Chemicals Division sales office nearest you: Three Commerce Park Square, 23200 Chagrin Blvd., Beachwood, OH 44112 Ł 1760 The Exchange. Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30339 Ł 5333 Westheimer, Suite 850, Houston, TX 77002 Ł Commerce Plaza Bldg., 2015 Spring Rd , Oakbrook, IL 60521 Ł 617 Veterans Blvd . Redwood City, CA 94063 NEWSMAKERS Carl L. Poindexter has been named chief of plant security for the Jacobsen Div. of Textron, Inc., Racine, Wis. John M. Berggren is owner of Lawn Maker, Staten Island, N.Y. Thomas Goodwin is owner of Greenfield Landscape, Greenfield, Mass. Teledyne Wisconsin Motor, Milwaukee, has appointed Ronald A. Kruger to the position of manager of marketing admin-istration, replacing the retiring Norman J. Burns. John Craigie has joined Theodore Brickman Co., Long Grove, 111., landscape contrac-tors, as director of sales and marketing. Craigie was formerly vice president of sales and marketing for Sears Lawn & Leaf, Wheeling, 111. In his new post, Craigie will be in charge of sales management for all of Brickman's divisions, including landscape architecture, con-tracting, maintenance and tree care, according to Dick Brickman, president of the com-pany. John F. Cantwell is a ser-viceman for Truly Nolen Exter-minating Co., Kissimmee, Fla. Paul R. Blum has been appointed account executive for the Kohler Co., Engine Division, Kohler, Wis. Mike Edwards has been named area manager for the division, calling on dis-tributors and original equipment Edwards Weber and Deltic pest control products, for Boots Hercules Agro-chemicals Co., Wilmington, Del. Saul Winits is president of Lawn Doctor of South Plainfield, Freehold, N.J. William F. Reed is owner of Bay Area Landscapes, Hayward, Calif. Joseph Marteau is owner of Jay's Lawn Service, St. Louis, Mo. Steven Lock has been appointed regional credit manager for the Outdoor Power Equipment Division of J I Case, Winneconne, Wis. Richard Duddy is owner of Lawn King of Southwest Roanoke, Roanoke, Va. Karson Edgar is owner of K.E.E. Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping, Jackson, Miss. Poindexter Allenbrand Gary L. Allenbrand has been named manager, regional sales, for turf products, for the Jacobsen Div. of Textron, Inc., Racine, Wis. He will handle Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. James W. Adams has been pro-moted to the new position of senior vice president of Interna-tional Operations for The Toro Co., Minneapolis. He has been group vice president, heading Toro's irrigation operations, based in Riverside, Calif. Rick White, president of Village Green Lawn Spraying, West Chicago, 111. has announced three new franchise dealers for his company: Greg Daleiden is based in Geneva, 111., Ron Bantz is based in Bloomingdale, III., and Jerry Mykietka is based in Glen Ellyn, 111. Todd L. Cutting is in the product support/field develop-ment department for TUCO, Div. of the Upjohn Co., Kalamazoo, Mich. S. Gary Custis is regional agronomist for ChemLawn Corp., based in Creve Coeur, Mo. ChemLawn is based in Columbus, Ohio. Robert Zwart is president of Indiana Turf Equipment Corp., Indianapolis. manufacturers in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado and parts of Nebraska, Wyoming and Arkansas. Brian Weber has been named area manager, working with dis-tributors and original equipment manufacturers in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota. Bob Parker is owner of Personal Touch Lawn Care, Dallas, Texas. Lee R. Brookhart is owner of Lawn Doctor of New Castle, Wilmington, Del. George J. Schaefer, Jr. has been elected president of F.D. Kees Mfg. Co., Beatrice, Neb. He succeeds his father, George J. Schaefer, Sr., who will continue as chairman of the board of directors and chief executive of-ficer. James W. Williams is a partner in Earth Lawn Care & Con-struction Co., Toledo, Ohio. The company offers chemical lawn care and mowing/maintenance. Robert Snow is manager of Lawn Pro, Inc., Charlton, Mass. The company offers chemical lawn care. Ray Klubnik is president of All Organic Lawn & Garden, Inc., North Royalton, Ohio. George J. Raymond has been promoted to product manager, responsible for the development and marketing of Antor, Herban, TOOLS, TIPS & TECHNIQUES Pruning extends the service life of trees Proper tree pruning not only enhances the natural beauty of a landscape, but also extends the service life of trees, both im-portant considerations for landscape maintenance personnel. The two primary reasons for pruning a tree, according to Dr. T. Davis Sydnor, are to preserve plant health and to influence tree growth and development. Sydnor, head of the Ohio Shade Tree Project for the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster, Ohio, said pruning to maintain tree health should be done whenever it is deemed necessary. For instance, dead stubs should be removed immediately because they serve as an excellent entry point for disease organisms, and once a disease organism becomes established in a tree, it is extremely difficult to control. A second method of preventing disease and insect encroachment is to prune crossing branches which are chronically rubbing together. Further, water shoots and suckers (vigorously growing shoots that occur on the main stem or base of a tree) should be removed because they are easily damaged by storms. Pruning to enhance the development of an attractive crown is important during the first 10 to 15 years after the tree is planted, according to Sydnor. Limbs should be properly spaced so major branches intersect the trunk at least six to 12 inches apart. Branches should be selected in a more or less spiral pattern so the crown can develop evenly. Branches that diverge from the main stem at less than a 40-degree angle should be removed. The frequency of this type of branch growth will vary from species to species. Developmental pruning also includes removal of interior branches. Branches initiated on the interior of the tree receive little light. As light levels continue to decrease, branches grow slower and slower until they eventually die. Interior branches suffering from this "natural pruning" should be removed to allow better air circulation within the plant. Interior pruning also reduces the chances of disease encroachment or storm damage. Properly pruned trees should not need repruning for at least three to five years, Sydnor added. Middle-aged trees can go long periods without pruning. However, young trees require developmental pruning to insure a well developed crown. z n > 5C m z a c C/3 5C C r* WHY 9 OUT OF lO LEADING LAWN CARE FIRMS NH3 X. When the top 9 of 10 lawn care firms in America all choose DURSBAN* brahdlnsecticides as their predominate insecticides for surface insect control...there has to be a good reason. Or two. Well there are two. ^ ^^^^r^^jj^^SoSj^JE^ 1. DURSBAN insecticides last longest of ali tRTi leading insecticides. ^^ 2. DURSBAN insecticides cost less to use than other leading insecticides. ¿M ^^^ v s ^ In fact one application of DURSBAN 4E, % oz. per 1,000 s4 ft costs only about 45«. Yet with this small amount, you gef$tx to eight weeks of unsurpassed residual control of dozens of turf pests. Compare this to two to four weeks with any of the other leading insecti And although DURSBAN insecticides are highly effective against insects, they are kind to turf, to people and to pets. You also use a lower dosage rate with DURSBAN than with other leading insecticides. That means you handle fewer dmms to do the job. So ask your supplier for the turf insecticide that saves you time, precautions. /\gncuuurai Kroaucis ueparxmenx, Midland, Michigan 48640. RANKINGS from panel Co., Minneapolis. Ranked 10th was Cheri, from Jacklin Seed Co., Post Falls, Idaho. Ranked 11th was Sydsport, from E.F. Burlingham & Sons, Forest Grove, Ore. Ranked 12th was Vantage, from O.M. Scott. Ranked 13th was Parade, from Northrup King Co. Ranked 14th was Kenblue. Ranked 15th was Glade, from Jacklin Seed Co.. Ranked 16th was Baron, from Lofts Pedigreed Seed, Inc., Bound Brook, N.J. Ranked 17th was Park. Ranked 18th was Bon-nieblue, from E.F. Burlingham & Sons. Ranked 19th was Fylking, from Jacklin Seed Co. Ranked 20th was Merion. Ranked 21st was Granada, from Northrup King Co. Ranked 22nd was Enoble, from Van Engele n E. Ranked 23rd was Ma-jestic from E.F. Burlingham & Sons. Ranked 24th was Entopper, from Van Engelen E. Ranked 25th was Windsor, from O.M. Scott. Ranked 26th was Delft, from Cebeco E. Ranked 27th was Geronimo. Ranked 28th was Nugget, from Pickseed West, Inc. Ranked 29th was Campina. Ranked 30th was Pennstar. Dr. Daniel said that shade tolerance is claimed for Glade, Nugget, A-34 and Bristol. Nugget is slow-growing and a poor com- petitor, he said. Resistance to leaf spot and powdery mildew plus low growth character would improve shade tolerance of a cultivar, he said. Several faster-growing types include Wabash, Parade and Touchdown. Dr. Daniel said that Fusarium roseum develops in older mature turf, therefore it takes some time to prove resistance, so research is limited. A low ranking in these tests or any other tests does not necessarily mean that there is that much difference between varieties, because most rankings of this nature are based upon very fine gradations. Trad-itionally, there are groupings of varieties which perform very close to the same. For further in-formation about these tests, Dr. William H. Daniel, Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, 317-749-2891. >< DC H CO D D z w £ < u z < MONEYWISE Saving yourself on big bid mistakes Clinton County, Michigan, had gone to bid on a project and was requiring the bids to be bonded. The low bidder came in $550,000 below the next lowest bid and $90,000 under the county's estimate. The bidder claimed he had made a mistake before the award but he did not withdraw the bid. Neither did he make any effort to prove the nature of the mistake. Instead, he tried to convince the county that he should be allowed to increase the price but still keep the job. The county accepted the bid and demanded the contractor sign the contract for the bid price. The contractor then attempted to withdraw the bid and refused to enter into a contract, again claiming mistake. The county sued the contractor and his bonding company and won, according to a recent report in Professional Landscape Contractor. In the kind of factual situation presented here, there is no completely safe way to avoid being bound or, alternatively, having to pay the amount of the loss to the contracting authority. As a general rule, courts will not relieve a mistake when it is made by only one party (that is, a unilateral mis-take). On the other hand, where the discrepancy is so great that the contracting authority knew, or should have known, that there was a mistake, the court will not let the contracting authority take an unfair advantage (unjust enrichment). If a contractor is caught in such a situation he simply cannot have it both ways. In this case, being greedy cost the contrac-tor more than just the difference between the bids. When faced with these kinds of facts, the contractor should withdraw the bid immediately, before it is accepted. He should then (no later than the next day) show proof that there was a mistake and how much it amounted to. At the same time he should start to build any docu-mentation that he can show that the contracting authority knew or should have known that there was a substantial mistake and that, if they were permitted to accept the bid, they would be "unjustly enriched." PULSE REPORTS from page 1 manager Clarence Arnold. The results in the spray-applied fertilizer category would project to $17 million worth of purchases by the total reader-ship of LAWN CARE IN-DUSTRY, Arnold said. The results in the liquid-applied fer-tilizer category would project to $11 million worth of purchases for the first quarter. In the pre-emergence herbi-cide category, 49.4 percent of the respondents said they purchased an average of $1,754 worth of product, for a readership pro-jection of $8.3 million. In the post-emergence turf her-bicide category, 33.9 percent of the respondents said they pur-chased an average of $1,190 worth of product, for a read-ership projection of $3.9 million. In the turf insecticide category, 28.3 percent of the respondents said they purchased an average of $955 worth of product, for a readership projection of $2.6 million. In the turf fungicide category, 27.8 percent of the respondents said they purchased an average of $623 worth of product, for a readership projection of $1.7 million. In the tree insecticide cate-gory, 31.7 percent of the respon-dents said they purchased an average of $557 worth of product, for a readership projection of $1.7 million. In the 10-20 h.p. tractor cate-gory, 10 percent of the respon-dents said they purchased an average of $3,775 worth of pro- duct, for a readership projection of $3.6 million. In the 20-30 h.p. tractor cate-gory, five percent of the respon-dents said they purchased an average of $10,051 worth of pro- duct, for a readership projection of $4.8 million. In the rotary self-propelled mower category, 22.2 percent of the respondents said they pur-chased an average of $2,269 worth of product, for a read-ership projection $4.8 million. For further information on other categories, contact Clarence Arnold at LAWN CARE INDUSTRY, 9800 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44102, 216-651-5500. BASICS Diagnosing and treating iron chlorosis in turf, ornamentals Iron is an essential element for plant growth. Thus, all plants are susceptible to iron deficiency. Where the amount of iron available to plants does not meet their minimum needs, the plants fall into a diseased condition called iron chlorosis, according to Don Blasingame of Mississippi State University. "Iron chlorosis may occur anywhere in the United States, but it is most likely to occur in the western half of the country and on the sandier soils of the southeastern part of the coun-try," he said. Iron chlorosis in plants is characterized by blanching or yellowing of the leaves, he said. This change in the appearance of the leaves is due to failure of chlorophyll to develop nor-mally. Mildly affected plants become unsightly and grow poorly. Severely affected plants fail to grow flower or fruit. Very severely affected plants die from lack of iron. In deciduous plants, areas be-tween leaf veins become light green, yellow or white. The greater the iron deficiency, the more pale the areas. The leaf veins ordinarily remain green. In very severe cases the edges of the leaves, or entire leaves, turn brown and the plants often die. Iron chlorosis occurs in susceptible plants wherever and whenever iron is not available to them. The condition is often due to high pH, which makes it possi-ble for other elements to inter-fere with the absorption of iron, rather than to lack of iron in the soil. Two principal types of iron-containing compounds used to furnish iron to plants are: iron chelates and inorganic com- pounds containing iron in solu- ble form (ferrous sulfate). Iron chelates are organic com-pounds containing iron. The iron remains available to plants when the chelates are placed in the soil. The iron in chelates costs much more per pound than the iron in ferrous sulfate, but the amount of chelates required for control of chlorosis is much smaller than the required amount of ferrous sulfate. Iron chelates are marketed under various trade names and in various formulations. Some are applied to soil, others to foliage. Ferrous sulfate and similar "Iwish my quarterbacks were as durable as Coach Dan Spadoni, Dollarway High School, Pine Bluff, Ark. Last season, Coach Spadoni had all four of his quarterbacks out at one time or another with injuries. But his John Deere 850 Tractor never missed a day's work. "In the two years we've had it, we've used it to mow both of our football fields, the practice field and the grounds around the school^' says Coach Spadoni. "And we've never had any problems. Even opposing teams have told us ours is the best field they've played on'.' Which, of course, is why Coach Spadoni and School Superintendent James Matthews decided to buy a John Deere 'Little-Big' Tractor in the first place. Not too big, not too small They were looking for a tractor big enough to handle *Maximum PTO horsepower at 2600engine rpm (by official test). **Maximu m PTO h orsepower a t 2400engine rpm (by official test for the 950, factory observed for the 1050). a large-acreage mowing job. Yet small enough so it would be economical to buy and operate. The 22-PTO-hp* John Deere 850 filled the bill on both counts. Its compact, water-cooled, 3-cylinder diesel engine has the power and stamina to run a rotary mower day after day, year after year. Yet being a diesel, it gives the kind of fuel economy a school's budget really appreciates. More than just a mower Another reason Coach Spadoni picked the John Deere 850 is its versatility. It has a well-spaced 8-speed transmission that can match up to just about any job you want to do, plus a differential lock. It has a Category I 3-point hitch, 540-rpmPTO and adjustable drawbar, plus more than 20 power-matched implement options. And it's available in a variety of different tire styles and sizes. Built to last Of course, like all John Deere tractors, the 22-PTO-hp 850 is built to last. "You can actually feel how solid it is when you ride it" says Dan Spadoni. And to prove it, we ask only that you test drive one yourself at your nearby John Deere dealer. Try out the 850, the 27-PTO-hp 950 or the new 33-PTO-hp 1050 with turbo-charged diesel engine** See for yourself why John Deere 'Little-Big' Tractors are a big winner with schools, parks and golf courses everywhere. m JOHN DEERE Nothing runs like a Deere For more information, write John Deere, Dept. 63, Moline, Illinois 61265. Leasing available-John Deere The little-big tractors fromjohn Deere Tractors, Skid-Steer Loaders and ° matching equipment may be leased for commercial or agricultural use. For details, see your John Deere Consumer Products Dealer. compounds that contain in-organic iron furnish soluble iron to plants. However, when they are applied to the soil, much of the applied iron becomes un-available to plants. Con-sequently, applications must be much in excess of amounts ac-tually required by the plants. For turf areas, Blasingame says to choose between applying ferrous sulfate in solution or ap-plying it in dry form, then water-ing it in. For the first method, dissolve ferrous sulfate in water at the rate of one pound of the chemical to 25 gallons of water (a stronger solution could burn the grass). Apply at the rate of 12.5 gallons of solution to 100 square feet of turf. For the second method, spread dry ferrous sulfate on the grass when the grass is dry; spread it evenly with a fertilizer spreader. Apply at the rate of 0.5 pound of the cnemical to 100 square feet ot turf. Give the area a good water-ing immediately after the ap- plication; this is necessary to keep the chemical from brown-Iron chlorosis is often due to high pH, which makes it possible for other elements to inter- fere with the absorp-tion of iron in plants and turf. Two mate-rials effective in combating the condi- tion are iron chelates and inorganic com- pounds containing iron in soluble form (fer- rous sulfate). ing the grass. For treating foliage, quick, but short-lived results are obtained by spraying ferrous sulfate solu-tion on the foliage of plants af- fected with iron chlorosis. The amount required is much smaller than that required for applica-tion to the soil. However, if chlorosis is severe, frequent ap- plications to foliage are required to keep plants green and healthy. To prepare 50 gallons of spray, dissolve two pounds of ferrous sulfate in 50 gallons of water (a stronger solution would burn some plant varieties). Add two cups of a wetting agent to in- crease the effectiveness of the spray. Then prepare three gallons of spray, dissolve two ounces of ferrous sulfate in three gallons of water and add two tablespoons of wetting agent, or the recom-mended rate. Spray treatments can begin any time during the growing season, but are most effective when started early in the season. More than one treatment may be necessary during a season. Spray at two-to-four-week intervals un-til symptoms disappear; then spray whenever symptoms reap-pear, Blasingame wrote in a re-cent edition of the newsletter of the Mississippi Turfgrass Associ-ation, based on information from the U.S. Department of Agricul-ture. 12 >< oc H C/3 D Q Z w o: < u z < J LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE How much does it cost to operate mowing equipment? About 350 people recently attended a field day sponsored by Excel Indus-tries, Inc., Hesston, Kansas. Called "Optimistic Day," the outing included an Excel plant tour, pig roast with all the trimmings, golf tournament and equip-ment demonstration. Those attending included city and state officials, golf course superintendents, school board officials, mowing maintenance businessmen, businessmen and other prospects. (Above) Excel Advertising and Promotion Manager David Welfelt describes the company's newly intro-duced Model 261 mower. The mower features an 18-horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine and a three-way deck which offers side-discharge, rear-discharge and mulching modes. by R.K. Reynolds, Extension special-ist, Virginia Tech Mowing equipment is probably the single most important capital investment of any grounds main-tenance firm. The annual cost associated with this investment is likely to be a significant part of the total cost of doing business. Therefore, landscape mainte-nance professionals should con-tinually evaluate the machinery costs for various mowing jobs and take the appropriate steps to reduce these costs. Machinery budgeting is an appropriate tool businessmen can use in evaluating the costs in-volved in operating a mower. The examples that follow illus-trate the use of machinery budgets in estimating the annual cost of a self-propelled gang mower and a 58-inch power riding mower. The form used provides an easy-to-follow set of steps that lead from the purchase price to the total cost per year and the total cost per hour of use. Most of the data consists of hard facts or else require management to make reasonable estimates. Having estimated the total costs, the effect of increasing or decreasing the volume of use can be evaluated. Note that total fixed or ownership costs con-sisting of depreciation and inter-FUNGICIDES EPA lifts restriction on Arbotect treatment for Dutch elm disease Elm owners who have injected their trees with Arbotect 20-S systemic fungicide to prevent Dutch elm disease can continue treatments this year, in spite of an earlier EPA restriction ban-ning use of the product for more than two consecutive years. The reason for the initial restriction, passed two years ago when the fungicide was first registered, was to allow more time for research into the long-range effects of continuous an-nual treatments. Since subse-quent testing has shown no sig-nificant problems, the earlier restriction has been dropped. Dr. John Shriver, MSD AGVET field biologist, has participated in extensive tests studying the ef- fects of repeated fungicide treat-ments during the past two years. "To date, we have found no dis-coloration of leaves from re-peated doses, but have noted some internal discoloration," he says. In part, internal discoloration occurs because treatments call for drilling several holes at the base of the elm in order to inject the fungicide. This damage can be minimized, says Dr. Shriver, by following these recommenda-tions when treating trees: Ł Make injection holes as small as possible, yet large enough to permit an adequate flow of fungicide. Approximately one-fourth- to three-sixteenths-inch in diameter is adequate. Ł Do not drill holes excessively deep into the trunk. One-half to three-fourths-inch is sufficient. Ł Always sterilize drilling and other equipment after each treat- ment. Ł Avoid excessively high pres-sure. Usually, good results can be obtained with 10 to 20 pounds of pressure, or by gravity feed. Ł Drill holes as close to the ground as possible. Ł Do not drill holes in Valleys between root flares because this area is slow to close over. The 2-Step Huf Renewal Plan with Roundup and Pennfine. One. Uva Spray Roundup® on the turf area to be renewed. With just one application of Roundup® herbicide by Monsanto, you can control or destroy most unwanted vegetation. Including stubborn intruders like annual bluegrass, bermudagrass, quackgrass, johnsongrass, tall fescue, and kikuyu grass. In a matter of days, Roundup circulates throughout these weeds. Even into the below-ground roots, destroying the entire plant. Yet Roundup has no residual soil activity. That means there is no injury to new seedings planted after application. Spread Pennfine Perennial Ryegrass seed over the area treated with Roundup. After applying Roundup, seed with fast-growing, fine-leafed Pennfine Perennial Ryegrass. Pennfine was developed by Dr. Joe Duich at Pennsyl-vania State University. Pennfine has been proven to germinate quicker, grow denser, and resist disease better than traditional ryegrasses. And it penetrates compact soil, sending its roots to depths of 12 to 18 inches. These qualities make Pennfine an excellent choice for turf renewal and help to explain why it's used by turf profes-sionals from coast to coast. In a short time, you'll see the proof for yourself. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW THE LABEL FOR ROUNDUP® ROUNDUP' IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF MONSANTO CO.. ST LOUIS. MO MONSANTO COMPANY 1979 PENNFINE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS HAS BEEN ACCORDED U.S. PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION CERTIFICATE NO. 7200019. est (combined as cost recovery), insurance, taxes and housing remain the same regardless of how much or how little use is made of the mower. However, total operating costs have a direct relationship with the level of mower use. There-fore, while total fixed costs remain the same, the total fixed cost per hour decreases as the mower is more extensively used. Total operating costs ihcrease with greater use and decrease with lesser use, but total operating costs per holir will remain about the same, regardless of use. In the illustra-tion, if the gang mower was operated 1,000 hours rather than 600 hours, total fixed cost per hour would decrease from $7.38 per hour to $4.43, and total cost per hour would drop from $11.54 to $8.59. Conversely, if the power rider mower was used less than 500 hours annually, say 300 hours, Line 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ESTIMATE OF ANNUAL MACHINE COST Self-Propelled Item Gang Mower Purchase Cost Salvage Value Cost To Be Recovered (Line 1 Š Line 2) Estimated Years of Life Estimated Annual Use Fixed or Ownership Costs: 6. Factor for Cost Recovery and Interest (From standard annuity table) 7. Cost Recovery and Interest (Line 3 x Line 6) 8. Interest on Salvage Value (Line 2 x interest rate) 9. Insurance, Taxes, Housing 10. License 11. Total Fixed Cost (add Lines 7 thru 10) 12. Fixed Cost Per Hour (Line 11 -r Line 5) Operating Costs: 13. Fuel (gal./hr. x hrs. of use x price/gal.) 14. Oil, Grease, Anti-Freeze 15. Repairs (including service labor) 16. Total Operating Cost (add Lines 13 thru 15) 17. Operating Cost per Hour (Line 16 Line 5) 18. TOTAL ANNUAL MACHINE COST (Line 11 + Line 16) 19. TOTAL COST PER HOUR (Line 18 Line 5) Free: *It will have cost you nothing to see how dramatically the 2-Step T\irf Renewal Plan can improve your turf. Our free kit contains enough Roundup and Pennfine to renew about 200 square feet of turf. And when you see the results, you can judge for yourself just how well this new concept in turf renewal works. Roundup and Pennfine -the 2-Step Turf Renewal Plan. Put Our Free Kit to the Test. Find out for yourself how effectively these two superior products work together in a simple turf renewal program. All it will cost you is the price of a stamp. Name (Please print) Company or Institution State Zip Send this coupon to: Turf Renewal Plan, Box 923, Minneapolis, MN 55440 Note: this offer is restricted to turf professionalsŠthose whose livelihood depends on the maintenance of quality turf. Limit one per company or course. Offer void where prohibited by law. $17,000 0 $17,000 7 600 hours .2404 (7 yrs. (g) 15%) $ 4,0871 340 $ 4,427 $ 7.38 $ 975 (1.3 x 600 x $1.25) 120 1,400 $ 2,495 $ 4.16 $ 6,922 $ 11.54 58" Power Rider Mower $ 2,860 0 $ 2,860 3 500 hours .4380 (3 yrs. («15%] $ 1,235' 57 $ 1,310 $ 2.62 $ 188 (.3 x 500 x $1.25) 20 100 $ 308 $ 0.62 $ 1,618 $ 3.24 total fixed cost per hour would increase substantially (to $4.37) and total cost per hour would be significantly greater ($4.99). To buy new or used equipment or lease a particular mower can be an important decision and have a major impact on machinery costs. When to replace machinery is also a critical decision that will often greatly influence business success or failure. The preparation of Estimates of Annual Machine Cost for both new and used machines will help management determine which is the better buy. Comparison of total fixed plus repair costs, with the cost of leasing the same mower, will allow management to determine break-even rental rates. With regard to labor-saving machinery, the total annual machine cost (line 18) divided by the labor cost per hour, will in-dicate the hours of labor neces- sary to save each year to justify the annual machine cost. Similarly, dividing the total an-nual machine cost for a labor-saving machine by the hours of labor estimated to be saved will reveal the break-even labor cost per hour that could be paid before purchasing the machine. THATCH from pane 6 (Acti-dione RZ), Captan, anilazine (Dyrene) and chlorothalonil (Daconil 2787) showed minimal thatch ac-cumulation and pH levels not sig-nificantly different from the check areas. Dr. Smiley says that too often fungicide choice is made only by taking immediate cost and target pathogens into consideration, without considering the long-term effects which the fungicide may have. "The long-term effects of these fungicides are far more impor-tant to the overall economy of management programs and to turfgrass quality than the short- term cost and fungitoxic-spectrum considerations," "Whenever possible, lawn care businessmen should at-tempt to utilize the most econom-ical long-range maintenance pro-gram," he said. What to do when slow pay becomes no pay Professional lawn care, once a luxury afforded only to the independently wealthy with their private gardeners and grounds-keepers, has, like those former luxuries, TV and backyard swimming pools, become a middle class necessity. Now, for a reasonable fee, virtually anyone can have their lawn chemically and mechanically treated by a smiling profes-sional. However, nothing will wipe the smile off that face faster than a customer who is slow in paying his lawn care bills. Of course, since lawn care service is a matter of choice, customers would seem to be more inclined to pay their lawn care bills, as opposed to bills for necessities such as gas and electricity, which most peo-ple let slide from time to time. Indeed, this does seem to be the case in many instances, with some lawn care busi- nessmen stating losses of less than one per-cent of their total gross income to slow-paying customers. Allan LaBertaux, of Lawn Groomer of Muncie, Ind., attributes this low rate of pro-fit loss to the relatively high income status of his customers. "We're working with the right class of people, and it just works out that the people who are conscious about the looks of their property are the ones who pay their bills." "People will pay for things concerned with their home," says Earl Sinnamon, president of Swingle, Inc., Denver, Colo. "In general, collections for this type of work are pretty good." The lawn care business is not immune to the slow pay problem, however. All lawn care businessmen are faced with late-paying customers from time to time, and the methods they use to handle collections are quite varied: Collection notices: Collection notices, whether personalized letters or merely computer-printed invoices, are probably the most widely used method of contacting slow payers. Ranging from mild reminders to statements of proposed court action, these notices can be very effective in bringing in dallying accounts. Tom Brune, of Atwood Lawn Spray, Sterling Heights, Mich., uses a four-part notice that is automatically printed out as the computer scans customer routes follow-ing delivery of the bills. "The top layer of the notice is a very mild reminder," says Brune. "The second is a lit-tle bit more direct, the third is downright nasty, and the fourth one is the one used for collection procedures if it gets that far." Lawn care businessmen disagree as to the effectiveness of using such collection notices. Brune is one who is usually satisfied with the results of his mailings. "If the computer kicked out 100 people who were overdue and we mailed all 100 first notices, we'll probably get 80 to 85 responses within 10 days." Presenting the other side of the issue is jim Shade of Perf-a-Lawn, Hilliard, Ohio. "If an account goes so long, if they've made two committments to pay and they've failed, I think you know it's going to be a long-term thing, so a letter isn't going to be that effective." Phone calls: Contacting the customer by phone is another method almost univer-sally used by lawn care companies. It is usually more successful than mailing out notices, probably because of the personal contact made with the customers. Indeed, "In the dead of winter, what can I say to a person who says, 'My weeds didn't die, and therefore I am not paying?' My only recourse to that is to go to court and what chance do I have in the dead of winter? The following spring, the effectiveness of the fertilizer is gone, and the lawn looks shabby anyhow." Š Tom Brune, Atwood Lawn Spray, Sterling Heights, Mich. some collection agencies use no other method than an aggressive phone cam-paign. "If the customer doesn't respond to our second notice," says Brune, "We wait 30 days and then get on the phone. Of course they tell you the check is in the mail, but by the time we get to the third notice we know we've got a really serious problem, so we listen to their excuse and make note of it." Personal contact: Visiting the home is usually the next step if the phone campaign proves unsuccessful, whether it be a repre-sentative from a collection agency or the lawn care businessman himself. "We pretty well know from 10 years ex-perience, that by the time we have mailed out the last copy we're probably going to end up collecting this account in the dead of winter by knocking on doors," says Tom Brune. Surprisingly, Brune says, most customers write him a check immediately, no ques-tions asked. "If I knock on 10 doors, I'll collect five, two will tell me they'll mail a check, and they will, and three I won't collect from no matter what they tell me. But it goes on, every year it's the same way." Financial hold: In conjunction with collection notices, phone calls, etc., many companies place a hold on services, refus- ing to spray a customer's lawn until he has paid for the previous application. Charles Austin, president of Liqui-Lawn of Hygiene, Colo., has a very high response rate of 85 percent when he informs customers that a hold is to be placed on their accounts. "Surprisingly, with people who from round to round haven't paid, just saying that they won't get the next round brings a check." With the 1980 economy in such dire straits, Tom Brune has changed his policy with regard to financial hold, opting rather to cancel the accounts of chronic slow payers. "For 1980, if we find that a customer needs to have a second notice mailed to them, and they have a history of being sent overdue notices, we consider that customer cancelled." Brune has not always followed such a hard-line policy, but with the economy the way it is, lawn care businessmen can ill afford to allow slow payers to keep hanging. Liqui-Lawn has a unique method of deal-ing with customers who let their accounts drag on through the winter months unpaid. "Those who carry on through the winter we send our spring newsletter," says Charles Austin, "but we'll write down at the bottom that we can't continue their service for the following year unless we receive a check for last year's bill. It brought in a lot of money this spring and cleaned the problem almost all up." Court action: Taking slow-paying customers to small claims court is also a possibility, but one that is viewed as a last resort by some businessmen. "We're very careful not to threaten small claims court," says Tom Brune, "unless we intend to go through with it, but we will. We have gone to small claims court." In general, some small businessmen view the legal proceedings as being too costly, both in terms of time and money, to be of much benefit, considering the small amount of money involved, usually less than $50. "We've gone to court when we've had large amounts, say over $50, and we've collected. But it's long, drawn-out, expen-sive and breeds a lot of ill will," says Brune. Collection agencies: The collection agency may well be the most controversial of all methods used to catch slow payers. The way the typical agency works is by con-tacting a company's slow-paying accounts, then taking a percentage of the money they collect. For the lawn care businessman, half the payment is better than no payment in many cases, but most operators exhaust all possi-ble in-house efforts before turning the ac-count over for collection. "You're paying a percentage of money that you deserve to somebody who has ab-solutely nothing to do with your line of work. It would have to be a pretty severe situation before I'd use one," says Lawn Groomer's LaBertaux. Although Steve Nuss, president of Highland Park Lawn Co., Grand Island, Neb., has used a collection agency on occa-sion, he wouldn't recommend the use of this method, for reasons of cost, and pro-moting a good company image. "If you allow your customer to get into that kind of situation, it's too late for collec-tion. If you have a terrific amount of collec- tions it means that you're not doing the work correctly or selling the product correctly. Maybe you should look for clients with more money." Perf-a-Lawn's Jim Shade says he feels that a collection agency can be a good way to collect late payments and recommends this method to others. It should be noted, that his enthusiastic response may be a direct result of the agency he deals with. "The agency we're using is fantastic. The thing we like is that they don't take a per-centage of what they collect. They charge a flat rate for so many customers. They guarantee that if you turn over $1,000 and they don't collect $1,000, you get the portion back that is uncollected from the agency." The relationship a lawn care business-man has with his customers can determine to what degree his company will be faced with slow-pay problems. This involves hav-ing a good, thorough knowledge of just who his customers are, as well as knowing how to sell his product. Steve Nuss attributes his low percentage of slow payers, six accounts out of more than 1,000, to his solid sales background. Selling the customer correctly, says Nuss, means making sure he is going to have the money to pay for the product you sell him, and outlining your application procedures, method of billing and other company policies in a way that the customer is sure to understand. "Some lawn care companies," says Nuss, "don't qualify some of their customers very well, and when it comes time to pay, the customer doesn't have the money, or he wasn't sold correctly and he's kind of vague about what you're offering, and he's dis-gruntled because he thought it would do more than you said it would." This brings us to the problem of dis-satisfied customers, perhaps the main reason people are slow in paying or refuse to pay altogether. Tom Brune says that at least half of his non-payers claim dissatisfaction with the work done by the lawn care company, the problem he is faced with is in knowing whether or not these customers are what he terms "sophisticated debtors", or the per-son who knows just which excuse to use. "In the dead of winter, says Brune, "what can I say to a person who says, 'My weeds didn't die, and therefore I am not paying'? My only recourse to that is to go to court, and what chance do I have in the dead of winter? The following spring, the effec-tiveness of the fertilizer is gone, and the-lawn looks shabby anyhow. I wouldn't prove to anybody that it was a good job seven or eight months ago." In any case, probably the best way to handle the slow-pay problem is to do every-thing possible to avoid it altogether. This is often easier said than done, but the follow-ing suggestions may help: Ł Screen the customer: Know who your customers are, and determine just how well they will be able to pay for the work done. This needn't involve a costly, lengthy credit investigation, but can be done merely by going through your customers' records of payment, invoices, ledger cards, etc. In a Small Business Administration pamphlet entitled, Credit and Collections, author Cooke O'Neal suggests classifying your accounts according to payment risk, such as good, fair and weak. Obviously, the fair-risk accounts will have to be watched closer than the accounts of customers in good standing, and the weak accounts will be watched closest of all. If nothing else, you should make up a "bad guy" list of those customers who are chronic slow-to page 19 A profile of the typical non-payer Can you describe your typical non-payer? More than likely, he is not the swindling, con-artist type who shuts the blinds and refuses to answer the door, pretending no one is home. Nor is he likely to be the laborer who, suddenly finding himself out of a job, tactfully evades your repeated requests for payment with the promise, "I'll mail you a check tomorrow." What you are more likely to find as you pull your truck into the driveway, is that the Smith on the mailbox has been changed to Jones, and a whole new family is occupying the house on 113 Elm St. You see, just last month, Mr. Smith was informed that his company was moving its operations to Houston, or Atlanta, or Paoli, Pa. The fact is, aside from dissatisfied customers, probably the largest group of non-payers are, as described by Liqui-Lawn's Charles Austin, "transient-type families who try the service out for a while and then split." Allan LaBertaux, of Lawn Groomer of Indiana, agrees. "A lot of times, of course it's their fault, but it's something that's understandable, even from our point of view. Usually where the bad debt comes from is that somebody ordered our service in all good faith, but by the time the second bill rolls around, they have been transferred and we just can't find them." A less frequent, but more disturbing problem, is that of the professional non-payer, who manages to get year-round service without paying. "I'm afraid that some of the larger companies, with their boasting of undying efforts to satisfy the customers, are educating them as to how to beat the game," says Tom Brune, of Atwood Lawn Spray. "A picture of a smiling guy with a clipboard in his hand, saying 'I'm go- ing to keep coming back to your lawn time, after time, after time, until you're so happy you're going to kiss me.' It's that kind of a message." How these "sophisticated debtors" as Brune describes them, operate, is that they receive service from several lawn care companies. These customers are usually the ones who disregard the lawn care operator's instructions as to proper watering and mowing procedures. Or they let disease and insect problems rampage uncontrolled. Of course, they then call the lawn care service and refuse to pay for the original work. "They ask you point blank, 'what are you going to do about it?'" says Brune. "We might indicate at this time, that additional money needs to be spent. 'We'll give you a call' the customer says. Meantime, they call company X who says, 'I'll fix that up and charge you less besides." Thus, the customer gets service from a second company without paying the first. "There's an increasing number of people who know how to get their lawns sprayed all-year-round for nothing," says Brune. "They're a very small percentage, but it's getting larger." 16 COMMERCIAL INSTALLATIONS D >-oc H co D Q 2 w a: < u 2 < îm's massive irrigation system covers 200 acres Known to most simply as 3M, the Minnesota Mining & Manufac-turing Company is truly one of the world's industrial giants. With sales and manufacturing operations in more than 40 coun-tries across the globe and total annual sales topping $4.66 billion, 3M in all probability touches the lives of most Americans every day, through one of its many diverse products. It seems only fitting that the headquarters for this rnammoth industrial concern be the home of the biggest commercial un- derground irrigation system in the Great Lakes region. Imagine for a moment an irrigation system that incorporates over 70,000 feet of pipe, almost 20 miles of control wire, 1,200 sprin-klers, and sufficient acreage that a two-day irrigating cycle is re-quired. Such enormous dimensions are difficult to comprehend, yet they aptly describe the size of the irrigation system installed in the park-like setting surrounding the 3M headquarters in Maplewood, a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. Why irrigation in a geographical area with high an-nual rainfall? There are still dry spells that necessitate a man-made irrigation system. This irrigation system, in-stalled in the period from April through October 1978, has been designed to join a package of 10 older satellite irrigation systems already at work at the one-half square mile complex, and literally doubles the acreage un-der irrigation there. The result? The 3M Center now has a complete automatic irrigation system encompassing some 200 acres of land that features a centralized water sup- ply and functions as a single watering unit. The new irrigation system is divided into seven indepen-dently controlled zones, each with its own controller and its own pump. Existing centrifugal double suction booster pumps are used in all but one zone, with plenty of capability left over for additional expansion. These 25 horsepower pumps provide 300 gallons per minute. Un-derground deep wells located on the property provide the gallonage needed to complete a two-day irrigation cycle. A pneumatic type storage tank holds the water until it's needed once it is brought up from the wells. Rather than installing a central control area for all zones, the controllers for each are located in the field. Maintenance people can then set the. individual watering schedules to corre- spond with the specific watering requirements of each geo-graphical area. The cost to complete the giant system? After careful evaluation of a number of competitive systems the decision was made to commit approximately $180,000 to purchase the necessary auto-matic controllers, valves and sprinklers plus provide for the pipe and control wire to com-plete requirements. Despite the high initial price involved, one of the primary reasons for going to a totally automatic underground system was to save on costs. Except for smaller areas, generally near buildings, that were irrigated by older satellite systems, large areas were watered with aluminum solid set systems which had to be hauled and set up each time a different area was to be watered down. Utilizing the old method of irrigation, the 3M maintenance crews barely finished watering the entire area before having to start the process over again, and it was impossible to keep the area entirely green all the time. Additionally, though less water would be utilized it was felt that the ground moisture penetration would be considerably better with the automatic system. But more than water was saved. Switching to an automatic system allowed 3M to save better than $40,000 a year in mainte- nance and labor costs, and that means the system will pay for it-self in just five years. What kinds of decisions went into selecting which system would be installed when it was determined the time was right to begin the project? "One of the basic things that we shop for in any high ticket item for 3M is reliability," said Wallace H. Lee, engineering spe-cialist, mechanical engineering department. "Additionally, we look for a good clean design and a good price." 3M entertained bids for the system by invitation only. Though the maintenance depart-ment was consulted each step along the way, the engineering department retained the ul-timate responsibility for making the final decision regarding the brand of system and awarding the contract. "We tore down each of the heads supplied by manufac-turers competing for the job," Lee said. The height of confidence BASF Wyandotte Corporation Agricultural Oe^c*'«. D>. s.on '00 Cherry m. Road Pa'vppany N«« 07054 It takes consistent performance to earn the confidence of turf professionals And no herbicide ever provided more consistent yellow nutsedge control than BasagranR herbicide, leaving established turf green and healthy. Post-emergence Herbicide The 3M project utilized 1,000 Rain Bird 47 and 51 rotor sprin-kler heads and 200 Model 171 spray heads. Six RC23B auto-matic controllers and 110 two-inch brass valves were also re-quired. The mammoth system was installed by Aqua City Irrigation, one of Minnesota's largest irrigation contractors, with as many as eight workmen employed putting in the system. For more information, write or call our nearest Regional Office: 5720 W. 85th Street. Suite 16. Indianapolis. Indiana 46278. (317) 299-4122 6263 Poplar Avenue. Suite 850. Memphis. Tennessee 38138. (901) 761-2001 6405 Metcalf. Suite 317. Shawnee Mission. Kansas 66202. (913) 677-2424 U.S. Plant Patent 3151 M KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS Double-duty y turf beauty. The natural choice. . ; V : The elite bluegrass growing in the sun is Glade. The elite bluegrass growing in the shade is Glade. That makes it the natural choice for all lawns. It performs well in up to 60% shade with a higher resistance to powdery mildew. Addi-tionally, Glade has bette r-than-average resistance to Fu- sarium blight It's now used as a prime ingredient for forti- fication in many professional turf grass mixes. A Rutgers selection, Gfade has outstanding medium to deep green color. Low-growing Glade germinates and establishes fast, developing a thick rhizome and root system for close-knit sod. Most lawn areas have both sun and shade naturally. That's why Glade Kentucky bluegrass is the natural choice. mffîSwM mSsgStè„* ŁTVSjI MV* _ * i« ; Specify < at your l< É 18 J S PRODUCTS OC H C/3 D D 2 u a: < u 2 < J One-step lawn mats Grass seed, fertilizer and straw mulch can now be applied in one easy step with a new product called Roll n' Grow Lawns, from Action Lawns, Inc. Straw is chopped into short lengths then bonded together with grass seed and starter fertil-izer into either a two-foot by 25-foot or four-foot by 25-foot mat approximately one-fourth-inch thick. The lawn mats are laid down on the prepared surface, rolled or tamped, then watered, releas-ing an agent that bonds the mat to the surface and later deteriorates as the grass seeds take root. The straw protects the seed during germination and es-tablishment and eventually breaks down to provide organic matter to the soil. Under proper growing con-ditions, the manufacturer claims the patent pending product will provide a thick growth within four weeks. Write 901 on reader service card New turf-type tall fescue Lofts Pedigreed Seed, Inc. has announced Rebel, the new turf-type tall fescue. In performance tesls with other tall fescues, Rebel has shown up to 30 percent finer leaf width and over 188 per-cent more tillers providing a den-ser, finer turf that is well-suited for heavy traffic areas. The new variety requires little maintenance, exhibits a good green color, and maintains a solid stand even when mown at heights as low as 1-1/4 inches. Write 905 on reader service card Multi-purpose spreaaer From Warren's Turf Nursery comes the Model T-7 spreader, LESC© I PRODUCTS I have used various varieties of ryegrass for winter overseeding on courses in Florida. For the last two years we have used CBS Blend at Doral and we were very pleased with the results. We had excellent greens throughout the winter. We found CBS Blend the most disease resistant, and a better transition as the Burmudagrass came back in the summer. Yes, we will use CBS again this fall. Superintendent, Doral Country Club See for yourself what CBS LESCO Blend can do. Call toll-freeforthis superior grass seed blend and all the other quality LESCO Products. LESCO 100% Sulfur-Coated Fertilizers. (800)321-5325 NATIONWIDE (800) 362-7413 IN OHIO i (216>323-7544 COLLECT LESCf|) PRODUCTS Division of Lakeshore Equipment & Supply Co. 300 South Abbe Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035 A Family of Fine Products: Lescosan 12.5G Ł Lescorene - Leseo 4- Lescobor Ł Lescopar- Lescopex- Leseo Non-Selective Herbicide Ł Leseo MSMA Ł Leseo Thiram 75W Ł Lescozyme Ł Lakeshore Chinch Bug & Sod Webworm Control. Write 130 on free information card an all new multi-purpose spreader that quickly and ac-curately distributes seed and chemicals by way of a hand-turned crank. This small, lightweight spreader has a hopper capacity of one bushel and spread width of up to 20 feet. Rate of material is adjusted with a six-point calibrated scale shutter, and self-agitator assures even flow. All exposed parts are made of corrosion-free stainless steel or polyethylene materials. Write 900 on reader service card New wettable-powder herbicide ends dust and mixing problems Dust and mixing problems of wettable-powder herbicides used for industrial weed control are avoided by a new type of Princep herbicide called Caliber 90, manufactured by Ciba-Geigy Corp. "t * Ł < ; * 1 A c « 1 1 \ The chemical, which is for-mulated as a water-dispersible granule, contains 10 percent more active ingredient than any other simazine-chemical for-mulation on the market. The manufacturer claims it pours smoothly from 10-pound plastic bags without hanging up or caus-ing dust. Premixing is unnecessary because the granules quickly go into solution with water, eliminating the problem of plugged screens and lines. Write 900 on reader service card. Change water power into cleaning power Aqua-Sweep, from Kleer-Flo Co., attaches to an ordinary garden hose, accelerating the water velocity through precision-machined brass nozzels to power-spray a 28-inch path of dirt, dust and debris from blacktop, concrete, tile and wood surfaces. Write 902 on reader service card. SLOW PAY from page 15 pavers, says Paul Kampe, president of Lawnrite Corp, Port Jefferson Station, N.Y. Earl Sinnamon agrees. "When the repre-sentative goes out and gets an order, before we do that order, the bookkeeping depart-ment looks through the records to check that person's record of payment." He solves the slow-pay problem by re-quiring his weak risk customers to pre-pay for the work. This is especially useful in handling large orders. "Some of our orders are $500, $600, or $700. We require 30 per-cent down at the time of order, 30 percent down when the work is completed, and the balance 30 days after that." Ł Periodically review accounts: This goes hand in hand with customer screening, and involves reviewing the accounts of your customers to insure that their payment status hasn't changed, in other words, keep-ing an eye out for potential problems. "Our office is now on the alert for customers who are slow payers, says Earl Sinnamon. "We're trying to crack down on them. Up until now, we have not." Along with reviewing individual ac-counts, the lawn care businessman should periodically review his collection records as a whole. O'Neal suggests computing a monthly collection index report, which is a percentage of collection during the month to receivables at the beginning of the month. "This simple report can allow for review and comparison on a month-to-month basis, to establish trends for evalua-tion," he says. It is also helpful to compare bad debt loss for the present year with that of previous years, to determine the strength of collec-tion efforts necessary, and to weigh how factors such as the economy come into play. Ł Encourage prompt payment: Make the payment procedure as simple as possible, thereby helping the customer pay his bill on time. One good way to do this, is to have the applicator deliver the bills at the time the lawn is treated, rather than mailing them. Tom Brune is one lawn care operator who prefers to handle billing in this way, furnishing his drivers with pre-printed in-voices. "On that invoice," he says, "is a re-quest (near the total) that payment be sent within 10 days." Brune even provides his customers with an envelope to send the payment in. "In other words, we've done everything we can to encourage a customer to be prompt, and to follow the directions we've left him." 19 PLCAA SEMINARS from panel "Liquid Versus Dry Applica-tion Techniques." Discussion leaders are Gary L. Mack, presi-dent, American Lawn of Mary-land, Inc., Walkersville, Md., and George W. Graham, Jr., owner of Lawn Kare by George, Alexan-dria, Va. "Premixing (Batching) Materials for Liquid Applica-tion." Discussion leaders are Jim Kelly, general manager of Key-stone Lawn Spray, Wayne, Pa., and Jerry Faulring. The Ohio seminar will be held from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Brown Derby, 344 East Hines Hill Rd., Hudson. Topics include: ."Resolving Customer Complaints Š Effective How-Tos and Tech-niques." Also, "Cancellations Š How To Reduce and Proper Tracking Systems and Appro-priate Management Techniques. Faulring is president of the PLCAA and Ober, Schnare and Burton are all members of the group's board of directors. Non-members are welcome to attend. "Our general feeling is that if they can't pay for one, there's no way they can pay for two, or three, or four. We're not going to carry them for the season." Tom Brune, Atwood Lawn Spray, Sterling Heights, Mich. Ł Be prompt and firm in your collections: "Time is the essence of credit and collec-tions," says Cooke O'Neal. "The follow-up must be made on a timely basis in order to be effective." Some lawn care companies scan the accounts within 10 to 15 days after the initial billing, and enact a financial hold within 30 days. Ten working days is a good rule of thumb for sending out notices, according to some lawn care operators. "Wre give the customer 10 days (two weeks)," says Steve Nuss. "We then send out a second notice in the mail. If we don't hear from him in two weeks after that he gets a third notice, followed by a phone call." The object of collections for most busi-nessmen is to get all payments for previous applications before it is time to apply the second round of treatments. "Our general feeling," says Tom Brune, "is that if they can't pay for one, there's no way they can pay for two, or three, or four. We're not go- ing to carry them for the season." Ł Complete the collection process: "Take legal action if necessary," says Paul Kampe. Although some businessmen are reluctant when it comes to going to small claims court, it doesn't pay to threaten the customer, if you don't intend to go through with it. Indeed, it is now illegal to simply threaten a customer with small claims court. Keep up with sending notices and making phone calls until you extract payment from a customer. Try to pin him down to a date, and if the money isn't in by that date, call him again. Consider using a collection agency after you've exhausted all in-house efforts. Sometimes the idea of a collection agency will scare a customer into paying, simply because he views it as being more powerful than it is, or because he knows that a court trial may be the next step. Ł Pre-pavment discounts: One way to handle a chronic slow payer is to get him off your back by offering him a pre-payment discount if he pays ahead for the whole season. "We get rid of the problem without losing the customer," says Tom Brune. Some customers may be angered by such a proposal, but it may be an idea worth considering. For large accounts, it may be a good idea to require the customer to pre-pay only a percentage of the bill as was mentioned earlier. The rapport you can develop with your customers, as well as the image you pre-sent, can be instrumental in keeping the slow-pay problem from ever becoming a problem. This is where having a smaller business can be a distinct advantage. "We establish a better rapport than a large company that has 5,000 or 10,000 accounts," says Steve Nuss. "We have a good reputation and an excellent staff. The people like them; I think that's why the people pay us better. People wave to us when we go downtown. They know the fellas who spray their lawns by name." Of course, there is no way to guarantee that all your customers will deliver pay- ment promptly. But taking a few preven-tative measures and being firm but under-standing when handling collections, can certainly cut down on the number of slow payers. And with the present state of the economy, a slow-pay problem is something that no businessman can afford. Š Kathleen Milgate To improve your lawn care business, just add water. You've got a grow-ing business, we've got a growing business. Why not combine them? Installing under-ground automatic sprinkler systems is easy and profitable. And with quality controllers, heads and valves from Rain Bird, rainmakers to the world since 1933, your customer is assured the best system available. His lawn stays healthier and so do you. For more information on this money-making opportunity, contact your nearest Rain Bird distributor. Or write to us at the address below. We'll show you how easy it is to make more green while you make more green. RA/N^B/rd Bringing new ideas to life. 7045 N. Grand Avenue, Glendora, CA 91740 Ł Rain Bird is a registered trademark of Ram Bird Sprinkler Mfg Corp Cienoora California c 1978 Rain Bird Sprinkler Mfg Corp > z > X X BEHIND THIS ISSUE Mark your calendars now for the industry event of the year if you are a lawn care businessman. The First Annual Professional Lawn Care Association of America Convention and Trade Show is set for Nov. 12-14 at the Com-monwealth Convention Center in Louis-ville, Kentucky. In addition to manufacturer exhibits, there is a top-notch business seminar pro-gram in the works. Here are some of the topics: Ł One Stop, Two Sales Š Selling add-on services to your basic lawn care program. Ł Is Your Business Plan Set for 1981? Here's How Š Establishing a budget, review of a sample chart of accounts. Ł Moving Toward the Computer Š evaluating data processing needs and op-tions. Ł Your New Employe, Will He Repre-sent You Well? What He Really Needs to Know. Ł Direct Mail Is the Only Way to Go. Ł Controlled-Release Nitrogen. Ł How to Pay Your Applicator. Ł Issues You Can't Avoid in the '80's Š Legal Liabilities, pesticide problems, collections, labor, government regulations and safety. Ł Pesticide Usage in the 480's. Ł Expansion: Ways, When, Where. Ł Advertising Media: Take Your Pick. In addition to these seminars, there will be an equipment demonstration on the final day of the show. For further information on attending or exhibiting, contact: Jane Stecker, PLCAA, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1717, Chicago, IL 60611, 312-644-0828. This is the only national conference and show sponsored by the professional associ-ation of the lawn care industry. You owe it to yourself and your business to attend. U ^Y EXCEL HUSTLER owners mow more acres per payroll hour per gallon. Your EXCEL HUSTLER means Mower and MoreŠevery season. The Mower cuts fine grass or rough, 54" to 72" swaths, rotary or flail. Dual hydros transmit instant pure motion to drive wheels in re-sponse to a light touch on the twin hand levers. Less time wasted on maneuvers means More work time for your money! Two hydrostatic pumps work at only half the pres- sure so last many seasons longer. More value, less downtime. More year-round return from your initial investment in air cooled 275 or 285 or liquid cooled 295, plus turf and grounds attachments: Edger, Catcher/ Compactor, Cultivator; Rotary Broom, Dozer Blade, Snow Thrower. Also ROPS, Cab, Tilt-Deck Trailer. And More: Factory trained service & parts from your Dis-tributor. Write for his name and literature. (800) 835-3260. Or call toll-free In Kansas or Canada call (316) 327-4911 collect. EXCEL HUSTLER Turf & Grounds Equipment built right by Excel Industries, Inc., Box 727, Hesston, Kansas 67062. GSA: GS-07S-04916 HUD: OPH (C0)m-2930 Mower and More, the choice of the pros. EXCEL i Turf & Grounds Equipment Write 142 on free information card When you look for quality, look for us. PC too gallon complete spray unit equipped with FMC John Bean 10 GPM pump with pressures up to 500 PS! -D if O® z o O 0) — CD Q) Q-C Ło 8 $ £ CD I OD 5" O c 3 3 2. c/> ® 2 w & w Ł w co Z o o 3 o << 2 2. 5" Company Name Your Title First Initial -Š Š Middle Initial Š Š Š Š Š Š Š Š Zr Š -Š Š 3® CD Š -Š Š Š 0) CD P Š Š Š Š Š -Š Š K2Ì W o > § ŁŁŁŁŁ 9 f ilfiftii! Iii fill 2 ŁJ-ISEflfl C »Sa » gif-2SS2 cn tt filili t! thifijir JULY 1980 (Expires in 60 days) reader service card Use this card to obtain more information...fast. c D Your life could be easier with FORMOLENE nitrogen fertilizer is a clear water solution of synthetic non-protein organic nitrogen, based on methylol-ureas and urea, ready for easy blending with other nutrients. Because of uptake efficiency through foliage and root systems, FORMOLENE fertilizer provides the econ-omy you need with the color response and healthy turf your customers like to see. And it can be used on any kind of turf as part of your year-round lawn care spray program. In spring, FORMOLENE nitrogen fertilizer quickly greens turf, but without that burst of growth that leads to disease and excessive mowing schedules. During the hot, dry summer, FORMOLENE nitrogen won't burn when used as directed, but delivers steady growth with adequate watering while retaining healthy turf color. For fall lawn care programs, you can count on FORMOLENE fertilizer to help strengthen root formation and support winter carryover of nitrogen for a healthy growth start the following spring. FORMOLENE fertilizer has a 30-0-2 analysis and blends easily with other solution nutrients and most turf herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. It can be used at rates as high as 2 lb per 1,000 sq. ft., per application, without burning. And rates of less than 1 lb per 1,000 sq. ft. can yield excellent results, providing an edge in economy and efficiency over many nitrogen sources. This easy-to-handle nitrogen fertilizer is available from Ashland in 20-ton tank truck loads. Smaller quantities, and complete N-P-K blend concentrates based on FORMOLENE, are available from authorized dealers. In short, FORMOLENE fertilizer provides the ideal basis for putting nitrogen on your cus-tomers' lawns with a minimum of aggravation. We'll be glad to tell you more. Write Ashland Chemical Company, Chemical Systems Division, Box 2219, Columbus, Ohio 43216. Or call one of our FORMOLENE experts at (614) 889-3490 or 889-4655. "Trademark. Ashland Oil. Inc Ashland. Ashland Chemical Company DIVISION OF ASHLAND OIL. INC The low-burn-potential, true solution nitrogen for lawn and turf professionals. Reduced burning. Quick green-up. Nitrogen released in one season. Improved performance over dry products. No agitation, clogging or bag handling. No aggravation. These are the benefits that help make your lawn care service program easier throughout the season. D oc H co D Q g w a: < u z < J Road, San Antonio, Texas 78212. 512 732-4982. SPRAYERSŠFACTORY DIRECT, professional gardeners, turf ap-plicators, proven dependability, un-conditionally guaranteed. Black River Sprayers, Box 824, Andrews, S.C. 29510. MISCELLANEOUS KELWAY SOIL pH TESTER, used by professionals everywhere. Direct reading, longlasting, portable, light-weight, no power source. Model HB-2 reads moisture too. Available through local distributors or contact Kel Instruments Co., Inc., Dept. L, P.O. Box 1869, Clifton, N.J. 07015. 201 471-3954. SPECIAL INVITATION TO AT-TEND and learn at the 1980 summer conference of the Green Pro Ex- ecutive Newsletter, August 3-5, at beautiful Taminent 2200 acre resort and country club in the Poconos. Half day sessions feature Mr. Robert Earley, editor/publisher of Lawn Care Industry Magazine, Dr. W. H. Daniel, pre-eminent turf specialist from Purdue University, and many other expert instructors/advisors to help you build your business, im-prove profits, get more dollars from your efforts, and gives your Key-Man a fringe benefit that benefits you. Subjects include . . . business problems, scheduling, program-ming, lawn care plans, outlook for the 80's, direct response advertising, diseases, seed, fertilizers, insects, micronutrients, soil and soil testing, profit potentials, etc. (The concensus of those attending the winter meeting ... "I came expecting to learn a lot. . . and I did"]. This is one conference your wife will enjoy! The low attendance fee includes accom-modations, meals, resort activities, star entertainment, exhibits, manuals, workshops, seminars. Learn from premier experts on an eyeball to eyeball level for greater profits and professional perfor-mance. Call Miss Rice collect 516 483-0100 for information and reser-vations. Available accommodations limited, call today. Visa, master-charge accepted. FOR SALE: Electric Addressograph Multigraph, model 1900, and electric typewriter plate maker, (Graph-O-Type) metal frames and plates, for 6,000 customers, storage drawers and cabinets. Used for routing, invoicing and advertising. Addressograph has many features such as: manual or automatic feeding of plates, automatic skip or repeat control and automatic counter. All in excellent condition. An $8,000.00 value for $3,-600.00 complete. Call 216 351-3885 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. weekdays. Lawnco, Inc., 4900 Van Epps Road, Brooklyn Heights, Ohio 44131. USED EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: Three spray trucks, 1976 and 1977 Chevy. C-60's, completely equipped with 1200 gallon steel tank, mechanical agitation, Bean 20-20 pump, Hannay electric reel, hose, etc. Complete units, excellent condi-tion, ready for immediate use. Will sell separate or special combined price. Phone 502 897-5201 dav or 502 896-0879 nights. FOR SALE: Liquid lawn treatment sprayer trucks 300, 950 and 1300 gallon units available. All feature fiberglass tanks with jet spray. Trucks shown in March issue. For more information call: Dan Conway or Rob Franks 318 221-4289. MUST SELLŠ1979 750 gallon spray truck, compartmentalize tank, 100 G.P.M. pump, electric hose reel, like new, $12,000.00 or assume lease. Phone 216 951-5295. TOUCHDOWN Kentucky bluegrass POA ANNUA... FINALLY MEETS ITS MASTER . University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Dr. A. J. Turgeon and co-workers J. E. Haley and J. R. Street conducted inten-sive Kentucky bluegrass cultivar management studies. Twenty-one cultivars were planted in September 74. Varying management regimes were imposed to measure their competitiveness against the infestation of Poa annua. They concluded: "The most impressive differences among cultivars were ob-served under close mowing (0.75") and high fertilization (8 Ib./N per 1000 sq.ft.). Several of the cultivars were virtually overrun by Annual bluegrass while others remained nearly weed free. Those cul-tivars which are apparently best adapted to this cultural intensity include A34, Brunswick and Touchdown Touchdown fights Poa annua two ways: First Š its superior disease resistance means it won't thin out from Crown rot (Leaf spot) Leaf rust, Stripe smut or today's Fusarium so Poa can't get a foothold . . . and secondly it's so ag-gressive and dense in growth habit it just keeps on fighting Poa. Touchdown is ideal for overseeding ... it germinates fast and quickly develops a healthy, mature turf. : Let's look again at what Touchdown has for you: Š early spring greenup Š rapid establishment Š drought and heat tolerant Š dwarf growth habit Š superior disease resistance Š bright green color QUALITY CERTIFIED SEED AVAILABLE - Summer 80 Produced and distributed by PICK PICKSEED WEST, Inc. Box 888,Tangent OR.97389 (503) 926-8886 Available from: Lofts Pedigreed Seed. Inc.. BoundBfook.N J 08805 (201) 356-8700 Lofts/ New England. Arlington. Mam. 02174 (617)648-7550 Lofts Kellogg Seed Co.. Mlllwaukee. Wis 53201 (414) 276-0373 ...in Canada: Otto Pick & Sons Seeds Ltd., Lob*/ Box 126,RlchmondHlll. Box 4. Grp. 200. Box 151. New York. Ont L4C 4X9 R.R. 2. Winnipeg. Man. St. Hyacinthe. Que. Albany. N Y 12205 (416)884 1147 R3C 2E6 J2S 5J9 (518) 456-0042 Telex 06 986612 (204)633-0088 (514)799-4586 TANK TRUCK SPRAYER Š Big custom built 1800 gallon all stainless insulated lifetime tank, w/60 G.P.M. Bean (F.M.C.) high pressure pump and engine on fine heavy duty C 750 Ford w/air brakes, can double as water tanker or sprayer, only one of its kind. 513 424-2052. HELP WANTED ADVERTISING SALES POSITION AVAILABLE with a growing specialty agri. magazine, Chicago territory. Requires individual with 1 to 2 years chemical and equipment sales experience in the agri. or specialty agri. market at the dis-tributors level. Ad. space sales ex-perience desirable but not required. Salary plus commission, all ex-penses, a strong benefit program and plenty of room to advance. Reply to Box 20, Lawn Care, Box 6951, Cleveland, Ohio 44101. MANAGEMENT POSITION Š OPEN NOW. Rapidly growing lawn care company in Virginia desires potential branch manager with proven performance record in turf industry. Must have: appreciation for corporate growth, strong desire for personal gain, and experience in operations management. Other qualifications must include: com-prehensive knowledge of turf, equip-ment and personnel management. Applicant must be willing to locate in Virginia, train extensively with serious intentions of assuming branch management position. No phone calls. Send resumes only-ASAP. P.O. Box 120 Salem, Virginia. POSITION AVAILABLE: Youne, challenge-oriented company with outstanding growth history and potential offers opportunity for an aggressive individual in the lawn care industry. We're seeking a per-son with take-charge abilities who can also work effectively in a team situation to meet our corporate ob- jectives. If your career requirements involve a fast-paced, rewarding posi-tion offering rapid advancement, send resume to Tru Green Corp., 6524 28th St., S.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506. MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY Š Fast growing, Michigan based firm seeking a creative, self-starting seasoned horticulturalist to assume responsibility for development and implementation of tree and shrub care division. Related product and Excellent salary and career growth Łpotential. Send resume and salary equipment knowledge imperative. ~ elle Pn history in confidence to Box 21, Lawn Care/Box 6951, Cleveland, Ohio 44101. TURF SPECIALIST/MANAGER TRAINEE: Excellent opportunity for hard-working self-starter. Must be able to take charge of complete operation. Sales ability & a good business background a must. Send resume & salary requirements or call: American Lawnservice, 12211 Distribution Dr., Beltsville, MD 20705. 301 937-9494. WANTED TO BUY WANTED TO PURCHASE, granular lawn care companies in Midwest and South serving primarily residen-tial accounts, present management may stay, principals only, confiden-tial replys to Box 18, Lawn Care, Box 6951, Cleveland, Ohio 44101. ACQUISITIONS WANTED: Lawn service company seeking growth through acquisition. Seeking firms servicing between 400 ana 1,500 customers. Team up with ex- perience. Key people retained. Smooth transition. Flexible. Write Box 19, Lawn Care, Box 6951, Cleveland, Ohio 44101. OPPORTUNITIES FLORIDA WEST COAST Š Large lawn maintenance company for sale. Accounts on long term contract basis. Very well organized and managed. Real estate included. Excellent growth potential in populated area. Contact: Charles M. Morris, Lie. Real Estate Broker, 4164 Herschel St., Jacksonville, Fla. 32210. 904 387-6724. BOOTS HERCULES Deltic from QuOCTO HEtajLB USE «3TJÇJ&É ÖEtTIC" New from Boots Hercules! DELTICŽ Residual Tick and Flea Killer provides both immediate and residual control of ticks, fleas and mites. It works longer and harder in holding back recurring infestations. New Business for you! Spraying for pests 2S*wipckendne»Kilkr Our <* «ACH OP CMM**®4 warnimg Expand your customer list. DELTIC is ideal for professional treatment of lawns, yards, industrial sites, parks, playgrounds and other outdoor areas where ticks, fleas and mites are a problem. Kennels, dog houses and dog runs can also be treated. Easy to apply! DELTIC can provide a needed service for your lawn is a liquid that's easy to pour, mix and apply, care customers plus a new source of Use it in conventional power, hand or additional income for you! Homeowners cannot purchase this restricted-use pesticide on their own. To get its powerful effects, they must rely on a Licensed Certified Applicator. ALL PESTICIDES CAN BE HARMFUL TO HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT II MISUSED READ THE LABEL CARE IT ILLY AND USF. ONLY AS DIRECTED BOOTS HERCULES Trusted agrochemical products for a bright agricultural future. Boots Hercules Agrochemicals Co. Suite 149, 5100 North 6th Fresno, California 93710 209/227-2911 Boots Hercules Agrochemicals Co. Suite 200, The Village Center Greenville, Mississippi 38701 601/335-1177 Boots Hercules Agrochemicals Co Airworld Center 320 10920 Ambassador Drive Kansas City, Missouri 64153 816/891-0603 compressed air sprayers. When it comes to controlling ticks, fleas and mites in lawns and other outdoor sites, DELTIC means business. Call or write for full details on this exclus-ively professional product. Write 158 on free information card Boots Hercules Agrochemicals Co. Concord Plaza, 3411 Silverside Road Wilmington, Delaware 19803 302/575-7850 Boots Hercules Agrochemicals Co. Suite 370, 340 Interstate N. Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30339 404/955-9441 baron KENTUCKY BLUE6RASS is the most customer-proof PMMHPHBMiiP^ rass can CuŠ Alan Maged, y Lawn-A-Mat dealer, Garden City Park, Long Island, New York... one of the largest independent lawn care dealers, servicing over 2000 lawns. "I make sure Baron is in every pound of grass seed we use. Last year it amounted to 80,000 pounds of Lofts special lawn seed mixtures. If all goes well, I'll order even more this year. t "Why do I insist on Baron? Because my customers expect me to compensate for everything, from the weather to their own mistakes. Some homeowners may let their lawn grow to six or eight inches, then cut it to three-quarters of an inch! Or they'll forget to water their grass during a drought, or use their lawn for a baseball field. With all that abuse, they still expect a good lawn. "I need a 'customer-proof' grass seed mixture. So I specify Baron, Yorktown and other top quality Lofts grasses in my s^edaj^mixture. I get a lush, green color, an excellent rocTt system"ancl ^he best resistance to leaf spot I've ever seen. Guess that's why I get better than 85% renewals every year. "One last thing, I really depend on my suppliers for delivery and service. I've dealt with the Lofts people for 15 years and they haven't failed me yet. That's very important to me." Lofts Š* Pedigreed K33Z9 Seed, Inc. Bound Brook, N.J. 08805/(201) 356-8700