PESTICIDES Property of JAMES B. BEARD Soil, Crop Sciences Dept. ToJtafc Xf! 29 You've gone into a lawn care market and are doing just fine. Although the economy is strap-ped, money is found for property improvements and your accounts are building. There are a few competitors, but they're good sorts. And besides, competition is good for business, you say Š an action marketplace. But then suddenly things start going haywire. You go out and measure a job only to be told that your quote is a little too much higher than your competitor's. He can do the job for $30 less, they say. And that's when it dawns on you that the first punch has been thrown in a sometimes grizzly duel known as "lowballing." What is lowballing? It's not just the price damping that occurs when the supply of a service exceeds the demand. That's bound to happen when markets become crowded. Lowballing occurs when a company sets a price on their service that cannot reasonably QUICK STARTS 28-day label for 26019 7 Tips to avoid unions 8 Falcon tall fescue released 9 New fungicide Banol from TUCO 10 Union Carbide's new Sevin 10 The top 50 lawn care markets 12 Larry Brandt of Spray-A-Lawn, Cin-cinnati, Ohio: "It is usually done by those companies that hire a guy on straight commissions. Then he'll sometimes undermeasure just to keep his quota up." MOWING/MAINTENANCE cover the cost of labor and materi-als. "It's terrible out there," says David Lyons of J & L Landscaping in Derwood, Maryland. "You go out and bid a job and then find that someone else has placed a bid that is in no way based on the price of materials. They just can't do this and come out ahead." Now, most businessmen can arrange to pick up inexpensive material at one time or another. That's in the nature of doing business and can help bidding competition. But when cheaper products are used consistently to help lower job costs, someone has to suffer, whether it's the cus-tomer, the workers, or the business community in general. While Lyons is primarily a land-scape contractor, and does lawn maintenance as a sideline, he is concerned over the effects of price undercutting. "The economy has a lot to do with it," he said. "People are frightened of the future, and when a job comes along, they drive for it, no matter what the means." to pnge 25 Condo work calls for comprehensive contracts Upfront 4 Moneywise 26 Marketing Idea File 20 Meeting Dates 19 Products 14 Tools, Tips ir Techniques 24 Cost Cuttings 26 Memos 30 -NM-8801 CAI -DU STEVE REED RES ASST TEXAS A £ H UNIV SOIL E CROP SCIENCE DEPT COLLEGE STATION TX 778A3 Most mowing/maintenance busi-nessmen will tell you about the law of diminishing returns that operates in their work. It goes something like this: For every extra square foot they maintain, they face a greater chance of running into mowing obstacles. Bricks, gardens, slopes, steps, fences and tree-wells are the bug-bears of volume business. w That's why big commercial lot? are choice accounts. It's good fy cô/mpa^tofi owners around the /Ł «i1 \y Ł*' " ' * topaze 22 flat-out cutting without having to dice around too many corners. And then there's a kind of job that combines the volume of com-mercial work with the detail of residential Š the apartment or condominium ]op. Some com-panies go for ityin a big way. Others won't touèb^t. the question is LAWN^AkE INDUSTRY asked fcdW why? LA a number oTmo^vi^g/maintenance BEARD COLLECTION m - m-i WHY 9 OUT OF lO LEADING LAWN CARE FIRMS USE When the top 9 of 10 lawn care firms in America all choose DURSBAN* braftd insecticides as their predominate insecticides for surface insect control.. .there has to be a good reason. Or two. Well there are two. 1. DURSBAN insecticides last longest of alVŽ leading insecticides. 2. DURSBAN insecticides cost less to use than other leading insecticides. -In fact one application of DURSBAN 4E, % oz. per 1,000 sq. ft., I É costs only about 45«. Yet with this small amount, you get six 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 insecticides. 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 drums to do the job. So ask your supplier for the turf insecticide that saves you time, trips, storage space and money. Ask for DURSBAN 2E insecticide or double-strength DURSBAN 4E insecticide. Just be sure to read and follow all label directions and precautions. Agricultural Products Department, Midland, Michigan 48640. UPFRONT O D < >« oc H en D Q Z < u 2 £ Who's in the second 50? If you as a chemical lawn care or mowing/maintenance business-man could pull up stakes and start your business over in any city in the country, where would you do it? You might start by thumbing a few pages back in this issue to our "Inside the Industry" feature on the top 50 lawn care markets. You might take the easy route and choose one of the cities that is sure to move up in the rankings when complete single-family housing and population statistics from the 1980 Census are available. A list of these cities would include: St. Louis, Dallas, Houston, Min-neapolis, Milwaukee, Atlanta, De- nver, Louisville, Hartford, Conn., Albany, N.Y., Oklahoma City or Memphis. And if you were a good businessman you could probably give it a pretty good go in any of these cities. As has been pointed out in earlier issues of LAWN CARE INDUSTRY, less than 10 percent of single-family homes in the United States are presently WWN OIRE INDUSTRY ROBERT EARLEY, Editor/Publisher PAUL McCLOSKEY, Assistant Editor CANDY MANKOWSKI, Production Manager MARILYN MacDONALD, Production Supervisor DENISE JOHNSON, Graphic Design JOAN SMITH, Circulation Supervisor MARKETING/SALES New York Office: ROBERT EARLEY (212) 888-2892 757 Third Ave., New York, NY 10017 Southern Office: JIM BROOKS (404) 233-1817 3091 Maple Dr., Atlanta, GA 30305 Northwest Office: BOB MIEROW (206) 363-2864 1333 N.W. Norcross, Seattle, WA 98177 Classified: DAWN ANDERSON (218) 727-8511 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802 Please send advertising materials to: LAWN CARE INDUSTRY 120 W. Second St. Duluth, MN 55802 218-727-8511 HARCOURT BRACE JOVANOVICH PUBLICATIONS (HBJ ROBERT L. EDGELL, Chairman RICHARD MOELLER, President LARS FLADMARK, Executive Vice President ARLAND HIRMAN, Treasurer THOMAS GRENEY, Group Vice President EZRA PINCUS, Group Vice President LAWRENCE WITCHEL, Group Vice President JOE BILDERBACH, Vice President JAMES GHERNA, Vice President GEORGE GLENN, Vice President HARRY RAMALEY, Vice President LAWN CARE INDUSTRY (USPS 397250) is published monthly by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publications. Corporate and Editorial offices: 757 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017. Advertising offices: 757 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017, 111 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601 and 3091 Maple Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30305. Accounting, Advertising Production and Circulation offices: 1 East First Street, Duluth, Minnesota 55802. Subscription rates: $15 per year in the United States and Canada. All other countries: $40. Single copies: $2 in the United States and Canada; all other countries $4.50. Second class postage paid at Duluth, Minnesota 55806 and additional mailing offices. Copyright © 1981 by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to LAWN CARE INDUSTRY, P.O. Box 6200 Duluth, Minnesota 55806. being serviced by a lawn care company. And where there is the population that can support a goodly number of single-family homes, there are the commercial/industrial properties and apartment/condominium complexes, which means plenty of work for the mowing/maintenance businessman. In fact, if you are a good businessman, you can probably take your business anywhere and make money. But if you had your choice to start all over again, would you really want to open up shop in Cleveland, where there are at least five companies doing tele- vision advertising? Or in Dayton, Ohio, where it has been reported that 60 percent of the homes are receiving lawn care services? Many lawn care businessmen that I have spoken with continue to talk about the non-major met-ropolitan area lawn care market potential. We gave you the top 50 cities in our "Inside the Industry" this month, now what about the second 50? I am sitting here in my office in New York with enough files and paper full of statistics to choke a horse. And I'd be remiss if I didn't give you a few tips based on these statistics. Free of charge, of course, And in no particular order. I'll start with some cities that have higher-than-average per household income. Toledo, Ohio is one of them. The per household income is a $24,474, with a popu- lation of 780,000. Grand Rapids, Mich, is another (once the auto industry gets back on its feet) with a per household income of $26,104 and >a population of 614,000. Another area that sticks out like a sore thunb in the statistics is the area that includes the New Jersey cities of New Brunswick, Perth Amboy and Sayreville. Per house- hold incone there is $28,821 with population of more than 584,000. There are more. Wilmington, Del., the home of many major chemical companies like Du Pont and BFC Chemicals, has a per household income of $22,508, and a population of 523,000. The North Carolina area that includes Raleigh and Durham has a per household incone of $23,738 and a population in excess of 494,000. Knoxville, Tenn. has a per house-hold income of $23,671 and a population of 469,000. Tennessee seems to be a ripe area of the country. In addition to Knoxville and Memphis, there is also the Nashville-Davidson area, which boasts a per household income of $22,401 and a popula-tion of 804,000. And while Chatanooga and the Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol areas of Tennessee do not have as high per household income averages as other parts of the country, it would still seem that there is the popula-tion there that might support a substantial lawn care industry. As a kicker to my hot tips, here are the last 10 cities in the top 100 that have not been mentioned previously: Tacoma, Wash., Mobile, Ala., Harrisburg, Pa. (with a per household income of $26,617), Albuquerque, N.M., Canton, Ohio, Las Vegas, Char- leston, S.C., Wichita, Kans., Fort Wayne, Ind., and Columbia, S.C. Assistant editor Paul McCloskey has two major features that start on page one of this issue. The first is on the topic of "lowballing." Just about every lawn care business-man I know keeps two files. One is a clip file of his competitor's ads. The other is his "lowball" file, where he keeps track of how he has been undercut on a residential chemical lawn care job by under-measuring or other means, or how he has been underbid on a com-mercial mowing/maintenance job by a price he knows his competitor cannot make money on. Paul has more to say on the issue in his "Memos" column in the back of the book. His other major feature is based on interviews he conducted with mowing/maintenance business-men across the country on how they handle apartment/condomi-nium jobs. As he says in his story, you have to have a comprehensive contract to protect yourself from criticism of both management firms and owner/renter boards. But it is steady work if you can get it, and it keeps cash flow up. Brooks Finally, I am very pleased to announce a major addition to the LAWN CARE INDUSTRY team. Effective with this issue, Jim Brooks has been named national sales manager of our magazine. He has been involved in the turf industry for the past eight years. Most recently he was publisher of GOLF BUSINESS magazine, which has been merged with our sister publication Š WEEDS TREES & TURF. Prior to that, Jim was director of marketing with the Golf Course Superintendents As-sociation of America, where he headed up the organization's pre-stigious international Turfgrass Conference and Trade Show, the largest turfgrass exhibition in the world. Jim brings experience and knowledge to LAWN CARE IN- DUSTRY. And besides that, there is nobody I know in the industry that is willing to stay up as late at turfgrass conferences talking turf more than Jim. He'll fit right in around here. Inquiries serviced for 90 days from date of issue. For those countries outside the U.S., please apply appropriate postage before mailing. READER SERVICE INFORMATION CARD 8-81 1 For more information on products or services mentioned in this issue, circle the corresponding numbers below, fill in appropriate information and mail today. 101 108 115 122 129 136 143 150 157 164 171 178 185 192 199 206 213 220 227 234 102 109 116 123 130 137 144 151 158 165 172 179 186 193 200 207 214 221 228 235 103 110 117 124 131 138 145 152 159 166 173 180 187 194 201 208 215 222 229 236 104 111 118 125 132 139 146 153 160 167 174 181 188 195 202 209 216 223 230 237 105 112 119 126 133 140 147 154 161 168 175 182 189 196 203 210 217 224 231 238 106 113 120 127 134 141 148 155 162 169 176 183 190 197 204 211 218 225 232 239 107 114 121 128 135 142 149 156 163 170 177 184 191 198 205 212 219 226 233 240 PLEASE CHECK BELOW YOUR PRIMARY BUSINESS AT THIS LOCATION: A. CONTRACTOR OR SERVICES: ŁLawn care service business involved primarily with fertilization. weed. and insect control Please specify method of application 10 niiQuid 11 GOry 12 ŁBoth 20 ŁPrimarily mowing/maintenance service 30 ŁLandscape contractor/lawn service company 40 Ł Nursery or garden center/lawn service company 50 DPest control/lawn service company 60 Ł Irrigation contractor/lawn service company B GROUNDS CARE/MAINTENANCE AT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FACILITIES: 110 Ł Private or public estate 120 130 140 150 190 ŁSchool, college, university, hospital, or similar facility ŁCondominium housing development or industrial park ŁGovernment grounds: parks, around municipal buildings, facilities Ł Cemetery or memorial garden ŁOther (please specify) military C. SUPPLIER 210 ŁChemical dealer or distributor 220 ŁEquipment dealer or distributor 230 DSeed broker/dealer 240 DSod grower NAME BUSINESS NAME. CITY .STATE. .TITLE . .ADDRESS. .ZIP. _TELEPHONE_L ) AREA CODE I WISH TO RECEIVE (CONTINUE RECEIVING) LAWN CARE INDUSTRY EACH MONTH Ł YES Ł NO SIGNATURE DATE NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES BUSINESS REPLY CARD FIRST CLASS PERMIT NO. 665 DULUTH, MINNESOTA POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE READER SERVICE DEPARTMENT L4WN GIRE INDUSTRY POST OFFICE BOX 6200 DULUTH, MINNESOTA 55806 -L LCI SURVEY 70% of readers own 500 gal. spray tanks, 20% own 500-1,200 gal. tanks RHONE-POULENC 28-day label to 26019 fungicide Rhone-Poulenc Chemical Co.'s Agrochemical Division has an-nounced that Chipco 26019 fun-gicide has been registered by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to control turf dis- eases on lawns for up to 28 days. The up-to-28 days registration is for preventive control of the im-portant spring and summer turf MOWING/MAINTENANCE OPEI expands scope; includes commercial turf care products The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) board has ex-panded the association's member-ship scope to include commercial turf care equipment. Howard Price Turf Equipment, Chesterfield, Mo., is the first all-commercial manufacturing com-pany to join OPEI under the new expansion. OPEI represents a majority of commercial turf care manufactur- ers due to the fact that several of its existing members manufacture commercial as well as consumer products. Last year the industry shipped more than 85,000 commercial walk-behind mowers valued at more than $25 million, and more than 18,000 riding rotary turf mowers valued in excess of $56 million. A voluntary safety standard for commercial turf care equipment (ANSI 871.4) was drafted through OPEI and approved by the Ameri- can National Standards Institute in March 1980. An OPEI safety seal program, calling for certification by an in-dependent testing laboratory, will be created for commercial turf care equipment. Before the program is started, however, OPEI will complete revi- sions of the ANSI B71.4-1980 standard to resolve any uninten-tional ambiguities in the docu-ment. The safety seal program will be similar to the one already in place for the ANSI power mower and snow thrower standards. The OPEI "Just tell him it's Otis Phipps. He'll remember me from the last batch of seed I sold him." diseases: dollar spot (including benomyl-resistant strains), brown patch and Helminthosporium leaf spot and melting out. With Chipco 26019, the lawn care businessman now has the means to include disease control in his lawn care program, the company said. The fungicide's long-lasting control fits well with the lawn care businessman's schedule and the effective control should not require callbacks. For more information, contact: Rhone Poulenc Chemical Co., Agrochemical Div., P.O. Box 125, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852. board of directors voted in January that safety seals indicating com-pliance with the standard as de-termined by an independent lab shall be available for all OPEI-represented products covered by a voluntary standard. A recent survey conducted by LAWN CARE INDUSTRY magazine showed that 72 percent of its readers own a spray tank of less than 500 gallon capacity, 21 percent own a spray tank of be-tween 500 and 1,200 gallon ca-pacity and three percent own a spray tank of more than 1,200 gallon capacity. Specific figures showed that 71.8 percent of the magazine's readers own an average of 2.3 spray tanks of less than 500 gallon capacity. For spray tanks of be-tween 500 and 1,200 gallon ca-pacity, 20.5 percent of the readers said they own an average of 2.7 units. For spray tanks of more than 1,200 gallon capacity, 3.4 percent of the readers said they own an average of 7.4 units. For granular applicators, 86 per-cent of the readers said they own an average of 4.2 units. For seed-ers, 67.9 percent of the readers said Equipment chart, p. 1 they own an average of 2.3 units. For aerators, 46.6 percent of the readers said they own an average of 1.4 units. And for pickup trucks, 93.1 percent of the readers said they own an average of 3.8 units. For a complete copy of the survey, contact: Bob Earley, Editor/Publisher, LAWN CARE INDUSTRY, 757 Third Ave., New York, NY 10017. Corporate Headquarters central Pre-Mix Concrete Company Spokane, Washington Plant variety protection pending OUTSHINES THEM ALL Dense Eclipse sod beautifies the walls and roof of this energy-efficient of-fice building and eliminates the need for complex heating and air-conditioning systems. Chosen for beauty and for performance, Eclipse Kentucky bluegrass excels in sun and shade, in tests from coast to coast, for disease resistance, shade tolerance, low fertility, or overall performance, Eclipse is a star. Lower growing, dark green-Eclipse has improved resistance to Fusarium blight, powdery mildew, and dollarspot. Heat and cold tolerance are excel-lent. Whether your base is California, Michigan, Maryland, or New Jersey; whether sod, athletic field, or lawn-if you want the best, specify Eclipse. ECLIPSE Kentucky bluegrass seed available exclusively from: COWBELL SEEDS, INC., 1093 129th St., Bradley, Mich. 850 N. Old 23, Brighton, Mich. GARFIELD WILLIAMSON, INC., 1072 West Side Ave., Jersey City, N.J. JACKLIN SEED COMPANY, W. 17300 Jacklin Ave., Post Falls, Idaho NUNES TURFGRASS, INC., 2006 Loquot Ave., Patterson, Calif. TWIN CITY SEED COMPANY, 500 30th Ave., N.E., Minneapolis, Minn. ROTHWELL SEEDS (IN CANADA), P.O. Box 511, Lindsay, Ontario 8 LEHR ON LABOR LAW o Three's a crowd: Some tips on foiling the unions by Richard I. Lehr ^ Few legal problems have as pro-£ found an impact on the future of a g business as an attempt by a labor g organization to represent an ~ employer's business. A typical lawn care employer has built his u business alone, and prides himself | on his ability to work with employes for a more successful lawn care company. One factor contributing to the lawn care employer's success has been his ability to make decisions promptly while in full control of his business. A union is in the business of interposing itself between the employer and his employes. Thus, instead of the lawn care employer retaining his freedom to make decisions as he chooses, a union would require the employer to consult with it before implement- ing certain business decisions. The expression, "two's com-pany, three's a crowd," succinctly describes how a union affects the employer-employe relationship. An employer has a greater likeli-hood of continued prosperity and smooth functioning when he and the employes are the "two." But add a union to the situation, and then the lawn care employer if faced with a "crowd" which promises to be cumbersome and potentially unmanageable. In other articles, I discussed why employes unionize, and how a lawn care employer and his super-visors can prevent employes from seeking or joining labor organiza-tions (see LAWN CARE INDUS- TRY, October and December, 1980). In this article, assume that a lawn care employer's preventive activities have not worked, or that he does not have a union preven-tion program, and a union begins to organize his employes. How should the lawn care employer respond? Are you a "target?" Though we read about unions choosing certain employers or in-dustries for organizing attempts, the majority of employers are organized because their current employes initiate the contact with the union. Typically, and particularly when a business employs less than 50 employes, union infiltration begins when an employe or employes who are dissatisfied with a particular area, supervisor or issue at work believe that seeking a union to represent them will improve their working condi-tions. Once the employes walk into a union organizer's office, the or-ganizer elicits as much informa-tion from those employes about the company as possible, includ-ing finances, personalities, physi-cal layout, working hours and locations, and the issues which disturb employes. The union organizer, who is a professional at this task, then either investigates further and turns the employes away, or de-cides that the lawn care employer could be a "target" for unioniza-tion. The organizer works through employes, seeking a "leader" among the employes who will "talk union" during working time. The organizer will distribute liter-ature and talk to employes about the advantages of unionization and how his union can improve those issues which disturb employes by gaining concessions from the lawn care employer at the bargaining table. The organizer may meet in employes' homes, in local bars, or at union offices. 50% of employe signatures The union will attempt to get employes to sign union "authori- zation cards." These cards will include an employe's address and phone number, and an employe's signature will authorize the union to request the National Labor Re-lations Board to conduct an elec-tion or also designate the union as that employe's exclusive bar-gaining agent. When the union obtains the signatures of at least 50 percent of the employes in the working unit, the union may present the cards to the employer and ask that he recognize the union as the collec-tive bargaining representative of the employes. At no time should the lawn care employer count these authoriza-tion cards or verify the names on a petition requesting recognition. The employer is entitled to a secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board for employes to decide whether or not they wish to be represented by the union. Petition for election If the employer counts the names or the authorization cards, he may have voluntarily recog-nized the union and thereby may have precluded himself from seeking a secret ballot election. If a union representative or an employe hands those materials to the employer, the employer should tell the individual to take the materials and leave his office immediately. If the union or an employe does not present authorization cards to the employer, he probably will take the cards to the National Labor Relations Board and file a petition for election. The National Labor Relations Board may au-thorize conducting an election if a collective bargaining representa-tive obtains at least 30 percent of the eligible employes' signatures America - Fiesta A grass team that won't break your budget You can't control the spiraling costs of chemicals and fertilizer, but you can control the quantities that you have to use by planting improved turfgrasses like America Kentucky bluegrass and Fiesta Perennial ryegrass. America and Fiesta, a new breed of turfgrasses that have the ideal turf qualities you want along with tolerance to summer and winter stresses and turf diseases. And you get all of this at a reasonable price. America Kentucky bluegrass and Fiesta Perennial ryegrass Š Two great turfgrasses that don't need pampering. mam KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS ^ V./ and PERENNIAL RYEGRASS Pickseed also produces Touchdown KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS Produced by PlCK^tEE® PICKSEED WEST Inc. PO Box 888 Tangent. OR 97389 Ł (503) 926-8886 , Distributed in Canada by Otto Pick and Sons Seeds Ltd Box 126. Richmond Hill. Ontario Ł (416) 884-1147 on a petition or authorization cards. As a practical matter, unions rarely ask for an election unless they have the signatures of consid-erably more than 50 percent of the employes. Frequently, the first time an employer learns about a union campaign is when he receives a petition from the National Labor Relations Board requesting an election. His initial reactions range from wanting to fire those employes who support a union to feeling betrayed by his employes, who he may feel are attempting to destroy the "family" atmosphere of the company. It is essential that the employer not panic. The employes have only heard the union's side of the story up to this point, and the lawn care employer should remember that unions are notorious front runners who lose more elections than they win. Employes have the right to join or refrain from joining labor or-ganizations. They have the right to discuss union matters without a threat of changes in financial or working conditions or promise of benefits, and without the employer's surveillance. Employers may not ask employes about their union pre- ferences, but employers should listen to employes if employes volunteer their opinions. The employer and his supervisors are the eyes, ears, and mouths of the company. If the employer or his super-visors say or do the wrong things once a union is attempting to organize, it may cause serious legal problems, such as an order from the National Labor Relations Board that the employer bargain with the union without even holding a secret ballot election. Though frequently an employer is the last individual to know about a union organizing effort, there is certain employe behavior which may signal that there is an undercurrent of trouble. For example, when management and supervisory decisions are ques-tioned as they have not been before, it may be because the employes are starting to become confident from the group ac- tivities. If employes spend more time in groups on their breaks and lunch hours, and stop talking when a supervisor or the owner appears, it is possible that the discussion involves union matters. Frequently, the employe union leader will coordinate activities and question employer decisions. The leader is rarely a poor employe. Rather, he is an indi-vidual whom other employes re-spect, either because of his work performance, personality, or seniority. Remember that if anything un-usual is taking place at the shop in employe behavior or work per-formance, it may be because of union activity. Finally, union lit-erature at the work place is a clear signal that there is an under- current of union activity which requires prompt action. The liter-ature usually appears in parking lots, break rooms, and restrooms. Because of what an employer or his supervisors say may have legal significance, it is important that the employer remain levelheaded when he is first aware of union activity. It is also important that the employer and his supervisors speak out early and often in favor of the company, against the need for a union, and explain why employes would be better off without choosing a collective bar-gaining representative. Remember that employers and supervisors cannot promise bene-fits or threaten to close the busi-ness or reduce benefits if employes support the union. Nor may employers spy on employes, such as following their cars to union meetings. Finally, employers and super-visors may not interrogate employes about their union be-liefs, however innocuous the in-terrogation appears. There are other situations where the employer will produce a response from employes, without asking for it. Richard I. Lehr is an attorney with the Birmingham law firm of Si rote, Per-mutt, Friend, Friedman, Held & Apolinsky and a frequent contributor to Lawn Care Industry. SEED Falcon tall fescue released The announcement of Falcon tall fescue release has been made by Bob Peterson, vice president, E. F. Burlingham & Sons, Forest Grove, Ore. The company has.the exclu-sive world-wide rights for pro-duction and marketing. Falcon tall fescue, a leafy, mod-erately low-growing, turf-type variety, was developed from germplasm originating from the New Jersey Agricultural Experi-ment Station. The first seed of this new variety became available after the 1980 harvest. Falcon has the advantage of attractive appearance, soft leaf, freedom from disease and the ability to resist leaf roll during hot weather. It has the ability to pro-duce an attractive, more persistent turf with finer texture and higher density than currently available varieties such as Kentucky 31, Alta and Fawn tall fescues. Plant variety protection appli-cation for Falcon has been filed. For additional information on Fal-con tall fescue contact: E. F. Bur-lingham & Sons, P.O. Box 217, Forest Grove, OR 97116, 503-357-2141. » GOVERNMENT Anne Gorsuch cleared by Senate to head EPA The U.S. Senate recently con-firmed former Colorado state legislator Anne Gorsuch as head of the federal Environmental Protec- tion Agency. Mrs. Gorsuch was approved by voice vote without dissent. The Senate also confirmed John Hernandez, a New Mexico en-gineering professor, as deputy administrator of the agency. 3 z n > c H PO > C O CD 00 Ł TECUMSEH Symbol of Value Throughout the world the familiar indianhead trademark has come to mean engineering excellence, product reliability and responsible business conduct. Where rugged endurance and dependable performance make all the difference, tough Tecumseh XL CAST IRON engines are proving their worth. From dusty construction projects to rain soaked tropical plantations, the XL line is gaining the reputation as a thoroughly reliable low-maintenance engine. Heavy duty pleated paper element air cleaners (poly wrap around dual element Models HH50-HH60-HHM80) protect XL's against primary cause of premature engine wearout. Solid State Electronic Ignition, sealed in epoxy impervious to moisture and corrosion, maintains starting and performance integrity (10 H.P. and above). XL hardened crankshafts roll on tapered roller bearing or ball bearing mains. There is a Tecumseh XL CAST IRON engine just right for your application. ¡KLitZV^l P A wJÇ V-v Ask for the XL brochure describing all eleven basic models, eight horsepower sizes in vertical or horizontal shaft design with their complete selection of options. / TECUMSEH PRODUCTS COMPANY Š ENGINE DIVISIONS GRAFTON and NEW HOLSTEIN, WISCONSIN io FUNGICIDES Banol available to combat Pythium blight Banol turf fungicide, which has shown highly effective Pythium blight control when tested on turfgrass, is now available for professional use by lawn care businessmen as the result of an Experimental Use Permit (EUP) approved by the federal Environ-mental Protection Agency (EPA). Marketed by TUCO Agricultural Chemicals, Division of The Up-john Co., Kalamazoo, Mich., Banol is a water-soluble liquid concen-trate with propamocarb hydro-chloride as its active ingredient. Approved label use includes application of 1.3 to 4 ounces of Banol to two to five gallons of water per 1,000 square feet as a preventative treatment when o D < >< DC H CO D Q g i < U 2 £ < weather conditions favor de-velopment of Pythium blight. A repeat application may be made in seven to 21 days if weather condi-tions remain favorable for disease development. According to researchers, dis-ease development appears most favorable when the maximum daily tenperature is 86°F. or higher followed by 15 or more consecu-tive days with relative humidity at 90 percent and above while tem-perature remains 68°F. or warmer. Laboratory and field research indicates that Banol provides long residual protection against this turfgrass disease, which can dam-age turfgrass within 24 hours with these environmental conditions. A university test showed that Banol, when applied to turfgrass 14 days prior to inoculation with Pythium aphonidermatum, pro-vided better than 95 percent con- trol when applied at two ounces of active ingredient per 1,000 square feet and provided complete con-trol when applied at four ounces of active ingredient per 1,000 square feet. In another university test, turf-grass was inoculated with Pythium 21 days after treatment with Banol at 1.875 and 3.75 ounces of active ingredient per 1,000 square feet. Plots rated seven days later were found to be rela-tively free of Pythium blight when compared to control plots and those treated with another Pythium fungicide. Both studies involved treatment under artifi-cially high temperature and humidity conditions which favor fungi growth. Laboratory tests at two univer-sities also confirmed that rainfall immediately after treatment had little or no effect on Banol's effi-cacy. In addition, tests indicate that when applied at proper rates, Banol has no phytotoxicity on most turfgrass varieties. The approved EUP allows use of Banol in Alabama, Arizona, Ar-Finally, An Aid For Teaching Turfgrass Superintendents, Contractors, Lawn Care Managers, New, On-the-Job Reference. The Turf Managers' Handbook is a compre-hensive, organized approach to turfgrass science and care. It has been designed and written by leading turf specialists from Purdue, Dr. William Daniel and Dr. Ray Freeborg, for on-the-job reference and as a text for students. The book contains 150 illustrations and 96 color photographs. Data includes 240 tables and forms. Included are specifications for rootzones, employment, calculations for chemical applications, and extensive metric-imperial conversion. Business and technical aspects of turfgrass management are covered in this 424-page book. Planning, purchasing, hiring, construction, and plant selection are put together for easy on-the-job reference. Markets covered include lawn care, sod production, golf course nanagement, cemeteries, athletic fields, *nd low maintenance areas. If it concerns turf, it's in the Turf Managers' Handbook. TU IT F manalGers' FianDfeooK Ordering Information Signature Please send .copies of the hardback ($18.95* ea.) .copies of the paperback ($14.95* ea.) * Please add $2.50 per order, and if ordering multiple copies, also add 25c per additional copy for postage and handling costs. Name (Print). Address City -State--ZiP-A check or money order for. is enclosed. I understand that delivery may take six to eight weeks. Quantity and bookstore rates available upon request. Send to: Book Sales Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publications One East First Street Duluth, MN 55802 @ kansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massa-chusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wis-consin. SEED Pickseed's America receives plant variety protection Pickseed West, Inc., Tangent, Ore., has announced that the U.S. De-partment of Agriculture has issued plant variety protection on America Kentucky bluegrass. According to Mike Robinson, company vice president, America is a low-growing, fine-textured, turf-type bluegrass with excellent density and dark green color. It performs well in both full sun and in moderate shade. In preliminary testing through-out the U.S. and Canada, America has shown good resistance to common turf diseases. America is being marketed through Pick-seed's distributors along with Touchdown Kentucky bluegrass, their other well-known bluegrass variety. The company also announced that it recently received marketing rights to Agram chewings fescue, which also recently received plant variety protection. Robinson said that Agram is an improved chew-ings fescue with excellent turf quality and medium dark green color. Its disease-resistance is rated above average throughout most of the country. He said that Agram will make an excellent component in lawn shade mix-tures. The company is also marketing Exeter colonial bentgrass, which has been out of production for several years. Additional infor- mation on these varieties is avail-able by writing Pickseed West, Inc., P.O. Box 888, Tangent, OR 97389. INSECTICIDES New Sevin formulation is now available to lawn businessmen A flowable insecticide carrying one of the broadest labels of any insecticide on the market Š Sevin SL carbaryl insecticide Š now is available to the lawn care industry. It is marketed by Union Carbide Agricultural Products Co., Inc., Jacksonville, Fla. The water-based flowable com-pound contains four pounds of active carbaryl insecticide per gallon. The new Sevin SL formu-lation is marketed in a 2^-gallon plastic jug for convenience in handling and storage. It provides control of a wide variety of insects that attack lawns, trees, ornamentals and areas in and around buildings Š including chinch bugs, ants, millipedes, fleas, ticks, sod webworms, COMPANIES Mobay announces new specialty chemicals group cankerworms, gypsy moth and some species of cockroaches. Available to all lawn care businessmen and structural pest control operators, the new Sevin SL ranks low in toxicity to people, birds, animals and fish. This makes it an easier product for professionals to handle. And since Sevin SL has such a broad regist- ration, there are many oppor-tunities to utilize one pesticide for pest control needs. For more information on the new formulation Sevin SL carbaryl insecticide, contact your local Union Carbide representative, or write: Union Carbide Agricultural Products Co., Inc., Box 12014, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. INDUSTRY LIAISON PLCAA sets up advisory conmittee The Professional Lawn Care As-sociation of America, in addition to serving as a forum for the discussion of ideas within the lawn care industry, has set up a committee of manufacturer's reps to strengthen ties between the industry's manufacturers, suppliers and users. Called the Industry Advisory Committee and sponsored by the PLCAA, the group will meet twice a year to discuss ways manufac-turers can more effectively re-spond to problems and business trends arising within the lawn care industry. At the last meeting, held in Chicago on March 16, the follow-ing Committee members were present: Ron Giffen of Lakeshore Equipment and Supply, Bill Stin-son of O. M. Scott & Sons, Wendall Moss of Torco Equipment, Jon Davidson of Dow Chemical USA, Frank Gasperini of Dupont Chicago, Jerry Faulring of Profes-sional Turf Corp/Hydro Lawn and President of the PLCAA, Glenn Bostrom of Bostrom Management Corporation, and Jane Stecker, administrative director of the PLCAA. Jerry Faulring opened the meeting by suggesting it be a "brain storm session" and posed the question as to how the Com-mittee felt it could serve the lawn care industry and how the lawn care industry could reciprocate. Ron Giffen said he thought the regional seminars should be ex-panded and experts brought in as speakers. Although honorariums would be involved, it was believed that experts in various fields would be a draw to expanding PLCAA membership. Wendall Moss felt that suppliers could use the PLCAA logo in their national advertising, citing that costs were minimal. Examples would be on their newsletters, bulletins, invoices, and everyday correspondence. Frank Gasperini agreed that the Committee should help promote the Association, although he felt it could be done by focusing on the needs of the typical lawn care company. In the area of labelling came the question of how the lawn care industry should be approached by suppliers. Gasperini stated that suppliers are flexible in the label-ling of their products but needed more input from the industry. Jon Davidson thought it was important to disseminate infor-mation to the applicator stating that he is the one who needs to be able to respond to the consumer's questions. Davidson gave a brief recap of 2,4-D news to the Com-mittee members and concluded with the EPA statement that at the present time no evidence of prob-lems with U.S. produced 2,4-D has been found. He also discussed a report on "The Phenoxy Herbicides" put together by herbicide specialists and stated that this publication could be made available to Associ- ation members. It was decided to include this report in the mailing of the Technical Resource Manual. Davidson stressed the increas-ing importance of response to consumer's questions regarding 2,4-D and encouraged local PLCAA members to testify in favor of products which contained the chemical whenever hearings are held. A new Specialty Chemicals Group has been formed by the Agricul-tural Chemicals Division of Mobay Chemical Corp. to represent the firm's expanding line of pesticides to the lawn care industry, other professional turf markets, nurserymen, pest control operators and other specialty chemical markets. Mobay is based in Kansas City, Kans. Heading the newly formed mar-keting group is Allen Haws as national sales manager. Haws, who joined Mobay in 1968, moves from the Agricultural Chemicals Division as sales control manager where he was responsible for the company's Northeast and North Central regions. According to Haws, the Spe-cialty Chemicals Group will mar-ket a nunber of insecticides, fun- gicides and nematicides, includ-ing Bayleton, a fungicide which was recently registered for the control of a wide variety of turf diseases. In addition to Bayleton, the Group will also represent several other well-known pesticides, in-cluding Baygon, Baytex and Dylox insecticides, Dyrene and Lesan fungicides, Nemacur nematicide and Sencor herbicide. Other new turf protection chemicals are pres-ently undergoing research, and are expected to be registered soon for commercial usage. FALCON PVP applied for New turf-type tall fescue of the 80's You'll like this new, fine-textured variety with higher density than most of the currently available tall fescues. Falcon is a leafy, moderately low growing turf-type variety with pleasing green color and tolerance to heat and drought. It's a good performer under minimum maintenance programs, too. Throughout its area of adaptation, mature stands of Falcon have shown tolerance to wear and moderate shade which makes it useful for home lawns and play areas such as athletic fields and parks. Contact us for more information. E. F BURLINGHAM & SONS R0. Box 217 Ł Forest Grove,OR 97116 (503) 357-2141 «Telex: 36-0274 Cable: Burlingham INSIDE THE INDUSTRY U D < D Q Z The top 50 lawn care markets Single-family homes are the name of the game the following metropolitan areas will move condominiums and cooperatives, but is a good when lawn care businessmen rate the market up in single-family home rankings: St. Louis, indicator of general wealth in any given potential of any given metropolitan area. Dallas-Forth Worth, Washington, Houston, metropolitan area. Based on that criteria, the top 10 lawn care Minneapolis-St. Paul, Baltimore, Anaheim- The listing of the top 50 residential lawn care markets in the country are the metropolitan Santa Ana-Garden-Grove, Calif., Milwaukee, markets takes into consideration only number of areas of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, San Diego, Phoenix, San Jose, single-family homes in any given SMSA, not Philadelphia, Detroit, San Francisco, Boston, Calif., Louisville, Columbus, Ohio, New Or- size of average lawns in the area, commercial/ Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Dallas-Forth Worth. leans, Hartford, Conn., Sacramento, Calif., San industrial potential for the mowing/ Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas Antonio, Texas, Albany, N.Y., Oklahoma City, maintenance businessman or number of com-(SMSA) are determined by the U.S. Bureau of Salt Lake City and Memphis. peting lawn care companies already operating the Census. The listings in the chart below are Population figures in the chart below are in an area. Most of all, it does not take into based on 1970 figures, the latest year for which based on recently released 1980 Census infor- consideration the growing small-town lawn comprehensive housing statistics are available mation. Per household income is based on 1979 care markets that should continue to grow in the for the country. When 1980 Census figures are figures. Household income includes all house- 1980's. ŠBob Eorley published later this year, it is expected that holds, including rented homes, apartments, SMSA Owner occupied Popu-homes lation Per household income SMSA Owner occupied Popu-homes lation Per household income SMSA Owner occupied Popu-homes lation Per household income 1 New York, N.Y. 1,427,388 11,829,700 23,234 18 Anaheim-Santa Ana-Garden Grove Calif. 281,825 1,844,800 30,628 2 I.os Angeles-Long Beach, Calif. 1,179,943 7,206,800 18,685 3 Chicago. III. 1,155,097 6,989,400 23,507 19 Tampa-St. Petersburg. Fla. 275,779 1,482,900 16,327 4 Philadelphia, Pa.-N.J. 993,156 4,733,200 21,688 20 Kansas City, Kans.-Mo. 269,014 1,316,500 22,360 35 Louisville. Ky.-Ohio 170,024 885,300 19.448 36 Providence-Pa wtucket-Warwick R.I.-Mass. 167,595 855,800 19,023 37 Columbus, Ohio 167,104 1,080,000 23,224 5 Detroit, Mich. 913,267 4,400,000 23,612 21 Buffalo, N.Y. 262,238 1,290,800 17,172 38 New Orleans La. 163,545 1,143,100 21,557 6 San Francisco-Oakland, Calif. 22 Cincinnati, 560,729 3,178,400 23,357 Ohio-Ky.-Ind. 262,709 1,395,700 24,836 39 Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Fla. 161,899 923,400 22,232 7 Boston-Lowell-Brockton-La wrence-Haverhill, Mass. 532,254 3,874,900 21,696 8 Pittsburgh, Pa. 514,503 2,277,800 20,925 9 St. Louis, Mo.-III. 475,592 2,310,800 21,407 10 Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas 455,844 2,740,400 22,556 23 Milwaukee, Wis. 258,827 1,409,700 22,452 24 Atlanta, Ga. 246,876 1,873,300 20,400 25 Denver-Boulder, Colo. 241.010 1,535,100 22,983 26 San Diego. Calif. 238,887 1,773,900 20,542 27 Miami, Fla. 231,529 1,475,700 19,501 40 Hartford-New Britain-Bristol, Conn. 161,779 1,067,200 22,908 41 Sacramento, Calif. 157,700 989,500 27,229 42 Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk-Danbury, Conn. 156,855 834,800 28,380 43 San Antonio, Texas 155,817 1,046,100 19,461 11 Washington. D.C.-Va.-Md. 412,973 2,900,900 33,104 12 Cleveland, Ohio 405,710 1,915,400 21,349 14 Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. 363,295 2,084,100 23,965 28 San Bernardino-Riverside-Ontario, Calif. 231,529 1,450,500 20,469 29 Indianapolis. Ind. 226,909 1,163,300 21,907 30 Portland, Ore.-Wash. 221,860 1,192,500 20,940 44 Birmingham, Ala. 154,305 833,400 18,418 46 Akron, Ohio 147,612 656,700 19,516 31 Phoenix, Ariz. 200.716 1,384,500 20,275 47 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, N.Y. 146,681 795,200 17,356 13 Houston, Texas 366,762 2,677,600 28,446 45 Toledo, Ohio-Mich. 150,454 781.100 24,474 15 Baltimore, Md. 363,136 2,124,100 15,821 48 Oklahoma City, Okla. 142,242 793,700 21,920 32 San Jose, Calif. 199,360 1,236,900 29,989 16 Newark, N.J. 311,546 1,944,200 23,307 33 Rochester, N.Y. 180,627 959,500 20,057 49 Salt Lake City-Ogden, Utah 132,885 861,700 19,805 17 Seattle-Everett, Wash. 306,903 1,491,900 22,150 34 Dayton, Ohio 174,780 832,500 19,228 50 Memphis, Tenn.-Ark. 129,930 883,500 19,652 If they held an Olympics for Bluegrass, Merit would win the Gold That's because this low maintenance variety so often outperforms the biggest names in Kentucky Bluegrass. The record shows that Merit is consistently rated high in turf quality and color as well as disease-resistance, including good resistance to leaf and dollar spot. A variety that is praised for its excellent spring color, Merit also holds its own when subjected to minimum irrigation and fertilization. Look at the record. In 1972 NE-57 trials, in a five-year New Jersey test, in a New York trial, at an eight-year Purdue study, a three-year Ohio trial and in a four-year Missouri test, Merit often out- performed such bluegrasses as Baron, Nugget, Fylking, Adelphi, Glade and Bonnieblue. Merit... it's a Kentucky Bluegrass worth looking into. mTERMITIOIIRIi SEEDS, inc. P.O. Box 168, HaUey, Oregon 97348 U.S.A. Telephone (503) 369-2251 Ł TWX 510/590-0765 r > z n > z a c C/5 H po > C O o D < >« OC H co D Q 2 g < U 2 £ PRODUCTS Slip fertilizer into the irrigation system A totally redesigned version of the Chemilizer, a lawn fertilizing de-vice that virtually renders the hand-pushed spreader obsolete, has been introduced by Chemilizer Products, Inc. The Chemilizer is a liquid in-jector which can be connected to a water supply for underground or above-ground hose sprinklers. A small round container with stand-ard hose fittings, it can be easily moved to different job locations. The new Chemilizer was com-pletely engineered and computer-designed with the as-sistance of General Electric. All parts, including the bladder, are replaceable, and the new model can now be serviced by the owner. It has a low center of gravity and greatly increases stress and pres-sure tolerance. « Liquid fertilizer is poured into the Chemilizer and is distributed as needed through a calibrated injector. The system needs re-plenishing with liquid only occa-sionally because the average lawn requires about one gallon of fer-tilizer a month for each 3,000 square feet of turf. Circle No. 150 on Reader Inquiry Card Tough cutter for the lawn care pro A new side discharge rotary mower, intended primarily for use by the professional lawn care industry, has been introduced by the Yard-Man Company. Model 11610 is a push-type rotary with a cast deck, and fea- tures a five horsepower Briggs & Stratton I/C engine. It provides a 20 inch cut and a "vacu-vent" deck containing a steel blade with shaved cutting edge and eight inch anti-scalp disc. Easy control and maneuverabil-Bookstore TURF MANAGER'S HANDBOOK by Dr. William Daniel & Dr. Ray Freeborg This specially designed manual by leading turf specialists is a comprehensive, organized approach to turfgrass science and care. An easy-on-the-job reference for planning, purchasing, hiring, construction and plant selection. $18.95 hardback $14.95 paperback Pascal P Pirone DISEASES & PESTS OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS by Pascal Pirone This standard reference discusses diagnosis and treatment of diseases and organisms affecting nearly 500 varieties of ornamental plants grown outdoors, under glass or in the home. Easy to understand explanations of when and how to use the most effective fungicides, insecticides and other control methods. $26.50 INSECTS THAT FEED ON TREES AND SHRUBS by Johnson and Lyon Essential information for identifying more than 650 insect pests and the injuries they cause. More than 200 color illustrations. $38.50 TREE MAINTENANCE Pascal Pirone The fourth edition of this guide for anyone involved in the care and treatment of trees. Special sections on tree abnormalities, diagnosing tree troubles, non-parasitic injuries and assessing the suitability of different trees. $27.50 DISEASES OF SHADE TREES by Terry Tattar Because shade trees require specialized maintenance rarely used in the forest, this text seeks to aid the arborist in providing necessary care to maintain vigor and prevent shade tree diseases. An in depth look at infectious and non-infectious tree diseases. Plant pathology not necessary. $23.50 oimisof SIIMDf TRftS iMTift ww ttrf irrigator manua TURF IRRIGATION MANUAL by James Watkins A guidebook for engineers, architects, designers and contractors. Keeps pace with the latest developments in turf and landscape irrigation. Specific chapters devoted to rotary sprinkler design systems, golf course design systems and expanded engineering and reference material. $19.50 ŁSSL-Kiganpss rjjŽ!. TREE FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT by James Vardaman A guide to help you increase profits from tree farming. Major problems confronting large and small tree farms and how to meet them including recommendations for seeking out accountants, lawyers and other professionals. $20.50 GUIDE TO TREES by Simon & Schuster Beginner and experts reference to 300 trees with 350 full-color illustrations. This authoritative guide supplies you with a full description of size, color, shape, leaves, flowers, fruit and seeds; information on habitat, propagation and growth conditions PLUS a hardiness zone maps, glossary and index. $19.95 hardback $8.95 paperback ADDITIONAL TITLES TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT - $16.95 TURFGRASS SCIENCE & CULTURE $22.95 WESTCOTTS PLANT DISEASE HANDBOOK - $32.50 WYMAN'S GARDENING ENCYCLOPEDIA - $25.00 GARDENING IN SMALL PLACES $7.95 HOW TO GROW HEALTHY HOUSEPLANTS Ł $5.95 FUNDAMENTALS OF SOIL SCIENCE - $25.95 GREENHOUSE OPERATION & MANAGEMENT - $17.95 HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE $22.00 PLANT PROPAGATION Ł $21.95 HORTUS THIRD $99.50 TREE CARE $9.00 SOILS AND OTHER GROWTH MEDIA $12.00 EXOTIC PLANT MANUAL Š $37.50 HANDBOOK OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL CONSTRUCTION - $48.50 SOILS & SOIL FERTILITY $24.95 THE GREENHOUSE ENVIRONMENT $28.95 FUNDAMENTALS OF ENTOMOLOGY AND PLANT PATHOLOGY - $21.00 MODERN WEED CONTROL - $16.00 DISEASES OF TURFGRASS Ł $27.00 TREE SURGERY - $17.00 TREE IDENTIFICATION - $9.00 WESTERN HOME LANDSCAPING - $5.95 SHRUB IDENTIFICATION $8.00 MANUAL OF WOODY LANDSCAPE PLANTS - $19.00 WEED SCIENCE $24.00 HOME LANDSCAPE $16.00 THE PRUNING MANUAL Š $12.95 Mail this coupon to: Book Sales Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publications One East First Street, Duluth, MN 55802 Name Address. City State. . Zip. Signature. Date. Please send me the following books. I have enclosed a check* for the total amount. Title Quantity Price Total Price * Please add $2.50 per order, and if ordering multiple copies, also add 254 per additional copy for postage and handling costs. (postage & handling) Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Total Enclosed LCI ity provided by steel handles with steel strut supports; handle-mounted throttle; five-position fingertip cutting height adjust-ment; eight inch steel wheels with sealed ball bearings. Engine mounted one-half gallon fuel tank are standard. Optional 1.2 gallon fuel tank available, as is an extra- capacity grass catcher. Circle No. 151 on Reader Inquiry Card Knock off grease with pressure washer Handi-Wash is an industrial strength water brush capable of knocking off caked-on grease, dirt and grime from your heavy equipment. Available from Spe-cialty Equipment Company, Handi-Wash is an adjustable chemical injection system with a water pressure of 500 psi which enables the user to use detergents and solvents to accomplish jobs ranging from cleaning and disin- fecting to paint removal. Attaching quickly to a standard garden hose, the Handi-Wash is compact and portable, weighing only 40 pounds. Circle No. 152 on Reader Inquiry Card Blast out debris with Wind Mill blower The Vandermolen Corporation announces the addition of two new convenience features to its Windmill 5-11 Wheeled Blower. The new features are: a cross bar on the push handle for easy lifting on and off lawn care trucks, and a throttle control placed at the operator's fingertips right next to to pane 19 Now, one-shot white grub control. One application controls white grubs from season-to-season. OFTANOL delivers unparal-leled residual control of white grubs. In fact, you can expect one application of OFTANOL at the highest recommended rate to control white grubs until about the same time next year. OFTANOL also offers these additional advantages compared to present white grub materials: Ł OFTANOL does not require watering-in. Ł OFTANOL does not tie-up in thatch. Ł OFTANOL does not require critical application timing. One application. Once a year. That's the OFTANOL one-shot advantage. N©Wj one-shot white grub 215 251 $ control. *w Mobay Chemical Corporation Agricultural Chemicals Division Specialty Chemicals Group Box 4913, Kansas City, MO 64120 There's only one insecticide that controls white grubs from season-to-season. New OFTANOL insecticide from Mobay. OFTANOL also controls these major turf insects. OFTANOL has been proven effective for control of sod webworm, Hyper-odes weevil, billbugs and chinch bugs. Consult the product label for the proper timing for control of these pests. New OFTANOL. For one-shot white grub control and in-season control of other pests. Available from many leading turf chemical suppliers. The use of OFTANOL for turf pest control is registered in many states. Check with your state extension office for details. SOD WEBWORM BILLBUG Ä Mobay Chemical Corporation Agricultural Chemicals Division Specialty Chemicals Group Box 4913, Kansas City, MO 64120 OFTANOL and BAYLETON are Reg. TM s of the Parent Company of Farbenfabriken Bayer GmbH, Leverkusen. CHINCH BUG HYPERODES WEEVIL MAIL TO: Mobay Chemical Corporation Agricultural Chemicals Division Specialty Chemicals Group Box 4913, Kansas City, MO 64120 Send the new OFTANOL Fact Sheet to: Name Company Address _ City What are your major turf pests? . State _ .ZIP What are your major turf diseases? Who is your turf chemical distributor? Ł Yes. I would like to receive the ®BAYLETON Turf Fungicide Fact Book. OFTANOL Fact Sheet To learn more about OFTANOL, just fill out this card and mail it today. We'll send you the all-new OFTANOL Fact Sheet by return mail. 8181 Printed in U.S.A. Ł MEETING DATES Ohio State Research Field Day, Ohio State University Turfgrass Research Field Facil-ity, Columbus, OH, August 4. Contact: Dr. Keith J. Karnok, 1827 Neil Avenue, Colum-bus, OH 43210, 614-422-2591. University of Missouri Turf Field Day, University of Missouri South Farms, Au-gust 4. Contact: John H. Dunn, Horticulture lepartment, University of Missouri, Col-umbia, MO 65211 University of Nebraska Turf Field Day and Equipment Show, Mead, August 4. Contact: Dr. Robert Shearman, University of Neb- raska, 377 Plant Science Building, Lincoln, NE 68503, 402-472-1143. Central Plains Turf Foundation/Kansas State University Turf Field Day, Manhat-tan, August 12. Contact: Dr. Robert Carrow, Kansas State University, Dept. of Horticul-ture, Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, 913-532-6170. Garden and Outdoor Living Division of the 1981 National Hardware Show, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL, August 17-20. Contact: Samuel Black, Ted Black, Inc., 535 N. Fifth Street, Reading, PA 19601, 215-373-4267. PRODUCTS from page 14 the handlebar grips. Powered by a two cycle engine that revs up to 7,000 rpms, the Windmill 5-11 Wheeled Blower generates a powerful, high pres-sure air-blast of 225 mph. This blast comes in a package that weighs only 36 pounds thanks to the use of a 40 cc engine. Without effort, the operator can tilt the 5-11 on one wheel and point the full force of the high pressure air blast to dislodge hard-to-move debris, to scatter water, or to clean out potholes and cracks on driveways. Circle No. 153 on Reader Inquiry Card New edger sends you back to basics The basic design and quality con-struction of the new Pro T-181 gas powered edger from Pro/Inc. makes it a single purpose tool for the lawn care businessman. The unit features an easy-starting, reliable two horsepower Briggs & Stratton rewind engine, sealed ball bearings at both ends of the cutting head, fingertip con- trols, and a handy foot rest for safer starting. There is also an optional curb wheel kit available. Circle No. 154 on Reader Inquiry Card Prevent water loss with soil additive Despite water shortages and water-use restrictions being im- posed in many areas, flourishing turf can be established with the use to page 20 University of Rhode Island Turfgrass Field Day, Kingston, August 26. Contact: Dr. C. Richard Skogley, Acronomy Dept., Univer-sity of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881. 1981 Garden Industry of America Confer-ence and Trade Show, Sept. 10-11-12, Pittsburgh Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA. Annual Alabama Turfgrass Conference, Auburn, AL, September 14, 15. Contact: K. M. Sheffer, Extention Hall, Auburn Univer-sity, AL 36849, 205-826-4985. Virginia Tech Turfgrass Field Days, Blacksburg, Sept. 15-17. Contact: Dr. Jonn R. Hall, 421 Smyth Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 703-961-5797. National Lawn and Garden Distributors Association Annual Conference, Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 15-18. Con-tact: Nancy S. Irving, NLGDA, 1900 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, 215-564-3484. Pacific Horticultural Trade Show, spon- sored by the California Association of Nurserymen, September 23-25, Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA; Con-tact: Richard Staples, manager, Pacific Horticultural Trade Show, 1419 21st Street, Sacramento, CA 94814, (916) 443-7373. Symposium on Turfgrass Weeds Š 1981, Sheraton-Columbus Hotel, Columbus, OH, October 14, 15. Contact: Dr. B. G. Joyner, Plant Diagnostic Labs, ChemLawn Corp., 6969 Worthington-Galena Rd., Suite L, Worthington, OH 43085, 614-885-9588. 1981 Chemlawn Turf Symposium, Oct. 14-15; Contact: Dr. B. G. Joyner, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Chemlawn Corporation, 6969 Worthington-Galena Road, Suite L, Worthington, Ohio 43085. Florida Turf-Grass Association Confer-ence and Show, Orlando, Oct. 18-21. Contact: Nona Murphy, Florida Turf-Grass Association, 1520 Edgewater Dr., Suite E, Orlando, FL 32804, 305-425-1581. Professional Grounds Management Soci-ety Annual Conference and Trade Show, Portland Marriott Hotel, Portland, OR, November 3, 4. Contact Allan Shulder, Executive Director, PGMS, 7 Church Lane, Pikesville, MD 21208, 301-653-2742. 21st Annual Missouri Lawn and Turf Conference, Ramada Inn, Columbia, Mis-souri, November 3, 4. Contact: Nicholas Palo or Cathy Martin, Conference and Short Courses, 344 Hearnes Bldg., University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. National Institute on Park and Grounds Management Educational Conference and Trade Show, Muehlebach Hotel and Con-vention Center, Kansas City, MO. Contact: National Institute on Park and Grounds Management, P.O. Box 1936, Appleton, WI 54913, 414-733-2301. Atlantic Seedsmen's Association Conven-tion, Biltmore Plaza, Providence, R.I., November 4, 5,6. Contact: Margaret Herbst, Executive Secretary, ASA, 230 Park Av-enue, New York, N.Y. 10017. New York Turfgrass Conference and Trade Show, Empire State Plaza, Albany, N.Y., Nov. 16-19. Contact: Ann Reilly, 210 Cartwright Blvd., Massapequa Park, NY 11762, 516-541-6902. Professional Lawn Care Association of America Conference and Trade Show, Commonwealth Convention Center, Louis-ville, Ky— Nov. 18-20. Contact: Jane Stecker, PLCAA, Suite 1717, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-644-0828. Ohio Turfgrass Conference and Show, Columbus Hyatt House, Dec. 1-3. Contact: Dr. John Street, 1827 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, 614-422-2592. Texas Turfgrass Conference, College Sta-tion, Texas, Dec. 7-9. Contact: Dr. Richard L. Duble, 349 Soil & Crop Science Center, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, 713-845-4826. Nebraska Turferass Foundation Confer-ence & Trade Show, Holiday Inn Conven-tion Center, Omaha, January 12-14, 1982. Contact: Paul Bergman, 2428 W. 11th, Hastings, Nebraska 68901; (402) 463-5055. 1982 A.L.C.A. Trade Exhibit, Riviera Hotel, Palm Springs, CA, Jan. 26, 1982. Contact ALCA Exhibit Manager, 1750 Old Meadow Road, McLean, VA 22102. A chain saw that won't start, or cuts out in the middle of a job is no good to any-body Job after job, year after year, you need a saw that will last. Whether you want a small saw that's super efficient or a big saw that can take the roughest handling, you need a Stihl® Because Stihl saws are built stronger to last longer Stihl saws are made with longer wearing parts. Built-in advantages like auto-matic oiling. Engine components that reduce frictio^ and wear. And the power it takes to get through any cutting job. They're tested for more endurance than ter what, they'll last longer than When you rely on a saw counts for a lot. So count on it's the strongest saw you can buy. £ z n > c cn H 70 > C o cc 00 you'll ever demand so no mat-any job you'll ever take on. to help you make a living, that a Stihl. Because in the long run, STIHL. STIHj The World's Largest Selling Chain Saw. See Stihl's complete line oi commercial power tools including brushcutters, hedge trimmers, earth augers, sprayer/blowers, and Cutquiks* For sales and service, see Yellow Pages under "saws:' For your local dealer's name, call toll-iree 1 -800-528-6050. Extension 1430. In Arizona call 1-800-352-0458. Extension 1430 20 PRODUCTS from pane 19 of the Hydrospan Super Slurper from Edison Hydrocontrol Chemi-cals, Inc. Hydrospan Super Slurper is the USDA formula soil additive which absorbs hundreds of times its own weight in water and which, when added to soil, literally sucks up water in minutes and then holds it in a plant-available gel form. Small quantities of Hydrospan im-planted or raked into the soil, mixed in mulches, or coated on roots or seeds before planting, catch and hold water in large amounts. o D < >« oc H co D Q 2 < U z £ < J broad-leaf evergreens, citrus, oak trees and all other plants that require acid soil conditions. Acid-Gro Fertilizer contains chelated copper, iron and zinc, as Circle No. 155 on Reader Inquiry Card Give acid lovers a boost Acid loving plants will drink up Acid-Gro Fertilizer from the Ra- Pid-Gro Corporation. A 30-12-11 water soluble concentrate, it's spe-cially formulated for evergreens, well as manganese and sulfate and boron. When mixed with water, Acid-Gro Fertilizer may be applied to plants through the foliage through the roots. Circle No. 156 on Reader Inquiry Card or MARKETING IDEA FILE Time for the mid-season brain storm Now that the spring rush has subsided for many lawn businessmen, and before the autumn rush begins, it might be a good idea to start thinking about next year's ad strategy. Will you try some new ideas? Will you stick with direct mail? Is it time for the big push? One lawn care businessman who has begun to plan is James Walter, president of Specialty Spraying, Inc. in Latrobe, Pa. He's had it with the standard approach Š the typical direct mailer with the old lawn care truck and the lush green acres. Walter's mailers will no longer feature these old stand-bys, but instead will be direct and to the point. "I wanted to tell the customers that our company is something a little different that would make them more responsive to the piece," he said. "I want to go into a little bit of the theory about lawn care rather than just having the lush lawn look." Walter plans to emphasize in his mailers how his program will meet directly the needs of homeowners. He plans to tell them about the advancement of lawn science, and will stress the labor-saving aspects of his service. "Let's make them realize how valuable their time really is," he said. Another new tack will be billboard advertisement for the first time Š the cross media plug. But the main thing is the fresh approach Š leaving the old stand-bys in the dust. Tree Tie places no restrictions Alden Enterprises has introduced a new tree tie that they claim will save purchasers trees and money. The new Wonder Tree-Tie has a patented spring action that allows the tree to grow naturally without restriction that may kill or perma- nently damage a tree. Trees are allowed to sway with a breeze and then to retract to their original position with normal pressure on the tree stake. Wonder Tree-Ties have been field tested for three years and have demonstrated an ability to completely eliminate girdling and allow trees to self-adjust. This freedom of growth allows for a much stronger root system. Wonder Tree-Ties do not require attention throughout the period the tree will require a tie, because of its ability to expand with the growth of a tree. Alden Enterprises says labor saving and tree re-placement cost saving have been substantial. Circle No. 157 on Reader Inquiry Card Fight the drought with new bluegrass Aboretum Kentucky Bluegrass Seed is a fine bladed, low- maintenance turf grass especially adapted to dry areas of high humidity, high temperatures and periods of drought. The original discovery of the parent grasses was made in the Aboretum of the Missouri Botani-cal Gardens at Gray Summit, Mis- souri. On virgin land, this blue- grass, by self-selection, had sur-vived heat, cold, humidity and the diseases peculiar to its native area. Seeds from the original plot were replanted and placed under obser-vation for years and now this hardy seed is producing beautiful, long-lasting, low-maintenance lawns under some very adverse conditions. Circle No. 158 on Reader Inquiry Card Post and plant with portable earth auger The portable earth auger from Feldman Engineering & Man- ufacturing can always be an aid to the lawn care businessman who is involved in landscaping jobs. Use it for placing fence posts, tree and shrub planting, sign erection, soil testing and doing dozens of other construction jobs. The three horsepower gasoline engine powers the auger for quick and easy hole drilling in the ground. Centrifugal clutch, low gear ratio and sturdy construction assure efficient and effective oper-ation. Weighs only two pounds. Circle No. 159 on Reader Inquiry Card To improve your lawn care business, justadd 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. BA/N&B/RD' Bringing new ideas to life. 7045 N. Grand Avenue, Glendora, CA 91740 » Rain Bird ts a registered trademark of Rain Bird Sprinkler Mfg Corp Glendora California c 1978 Ram Bird Sprinkler Mfg Corp FELDMANN COMBINATION TILLERŠAERATOR Ł 18" rotary garden tiller digs deep for a finely tilled seed bed Ł 15V power lawn aerator penetrates turf, promotes thatch deterioration, allows water, air and fertilizer to reach grass roots for lush, green lawn Ł Dependable chain drive powered by rugged, reliable 2-hp Briggs & Stratton engine Ł Light-weight, easy handling; fold-down handle for compact storage and trans-portation Write for information on other Models Circle No. 114 on Reader Inquiry Card Feldmann Engineering and Mfg. Co., Inc. Sheboygan Falls. Wl 53085 414/467-6167 Circle No. 103 on Reader Inquiry Card Bob Guadagni was recently ap-pointed western regional sales manager for the Rain Bird Sprinkler Mfg. Corp., according to Rex Dixon, turf marketing man-ager. In his new role, Guadagni is responsible for sales of Rain Bird turf irrigation equipment in 11 western states. > m« É WWj Guadagni The Agricultural Chemicals Di-vision of Diamond Shamrock Corporation announced that Hal H. Paul has been appointed as a sales representative in its north-east region. Paul will be repre-senting Diamond Shamrock in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Gravely Division of McGraw-Edison has announced the ap-pointment of two new Hahn Dis-tributors to market their line of new Hahn rear engine riders. Edney Distributing Company, Inc. of Huron, SD has been ap-pointed to distribute Hahn riders and parts in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. Mr. Milton Edney, president of Edney Dis-tributing has five salesmen and additional warehouse locations in Bismark, ND and Lakeville, MN. Mity Mite Motors, Inc., Fort Smith, AR will distribute the new Hahn riders and service parts in most of Arkansas. Bernard Brockman, president of Mity Mite Motors has been associated with the outdoor power equipment in-dustry for more than twenty years. Stephen A. Chont and Lawrence D. Kren, seniors in Turf Manage- ment at Michigan State University, have each received a TUCO Turf Scholarship for 1981. The awards were recently pres-ented at the 51st Annual Michigan Turfgrass Conference by Russ Tiller, TUCO representative. Other recipients of the 1981 TUCO Turf Scholarships were Marlin L. Wian, a senior in Turf Management at The Pennsylvania State University; Chester Fields, a senior in Turf Management, and Andrew Pearson, a junior in Turf Management at Texas A&M University; Michael Johnson, a senior in Turf Management at Ohio State University; Kyle Miller, a senior in Turf Management at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; and finally, Nathaniel W. Binns and Jan Paul Kasyjanski, seniors in Turf Man-agement at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. The an-nual scholarships are sponsored by TUCO, a division of The Up- john Company. Larry Worn has been honored by The Upjohn Company for out-standing achievement in sales for 1980. He is one of the 10 sales representatives named as repeat winners to the company's Ag-ricultural Division Sales Academy. Worn, an agricultural chemicals sales rep for TUCO, joined the company in 1968. His sales territ-ory includes Georgia, Alabama and northern Florida. John Thompson and Jim Morgan have been named coordinators for Chem-Care Lawn Service of Bir-mingham, AL, it was announced by company president Ronnie L. Zwiebel. Thompson holds a fores-try management degree from Au-burn University. American Honda, Power Prod-ucts Division, recently added three dealers to its nationwide dealer network. These dealers are Blythe Honda #2 in Quartsite, Arizona; Pioneer Security Products, in Anaheim, California and The Wheelrite in Pratt, Kansas. Greenway Equipment Com-pany, Inc., of Tacoma, Washington, recently joined American Honda, Power Products Division as an engine distributor. This new company now distrib-utes Honda's full line of engines including the new two horse- power G-100, general purpose en- gine. Edward B. Sabish, Waukesha, Wisconsin, has been appointed as regional sales manager for the Outdoor Power Equipment Divi- sion of J I Case, Winneconne, according to Mike Hirschman, sales manager. As regional sales manager, Sabish will be responsible for the marketing objectives of Case lawn and garden tractors and attach-ments through the field sales force in the western region. Manny J. Paros is owner of Sunrise Lawn Care, Somerset, N.J. The company provides chemical lawn care and rototilling, thatch-ing and clean-up services. Keith Shepersky has been named manager of training and marketing services for the Turf Division of the Rain Bird Sprink-ler Mfg. Corp. Mallinckrodt, Inc., says it has increased the operational respon-sibilities of two of its managers. Effective immediately, Mack G. Nichols will have responsibility for operations of the St. Louis, MO, chemical manufacturing plant as well as continuing his duties as vice president and general man-ager of the company's specialty chemicals division. Edward F. Take, who will report to Nichols, will assume new re-sponsibilities for Mallinckrodt's Jersey City plant operations in addition to continuing as plant manager for the St. Louis plant. Herb Cole, a veteran salesman and sales manager for Lakeshore Equipment & Supply Co., has been named vice president of marketing. 33 T.M. "ALL YOU NEED FOR SUMMER FEED IS fORMOliNE 30-0-2 LIQUID LOW-BURN FERTILIZER FOR LAWN CARE PROFESSIONALS FORMOLENE Clear Liquid Fertilizer contains a high pro-portion of low-burn Methylene and Methylol Ureas plus low salt index PotassiumŠYour safest source of liquid N & K for hot weather lawn applications. Proven through intensive evaluation at leading Turfgrass Research Insti-tutions. Just add 1 part FORMOLENE to 3 to 10 parts waterŠand put it on! Order FORMOLENE Fertilizer from these authorized dealers: ALPINE PLANT FOODS LTD. New Hamburg, Ontario NOB 2G0 Canada (519) 662-2352 GREAT PLAINS ASSOCIATES, LTD. Niles, Ml 49120 (616) 683-7463 M0YER AND SON INCORPORATED Souderton, PA 18964 (215) 723-6001 AUSTIN FERTILIZER & CHEMICAL CO. Lake Placid. FL 33852 (813) 465-5203 Sanford, FL 32771 (305) 322-0443 GROWER'S AG SERVICE Kearney, NB 68847 (308) 234-2124 NICE'N GREEN PLANT FOODS, INC. Lisle, IL 60532 (312) 963-3328 FLO-LIZER INCORPORATED Kingston, OH 45644 (614) 642-3001 MORRAL CHEMICAL COMPANY Morral, OH 43337 (614) 465-3251 OLD FOX CHEMICAL COMPANY Enfield, CT 06082 (203) 749-8339 SAALE BROTHERS FARM & GRAIN CO. West Alton, M0 63386 (314) 899-0933 VOGEL SEED AND FERTILIZER Jackson, Wl 53037 (414) 677-2273 NOTE: Inquiries invited from Dealers to supply FORMOLENE to the Minneapolis - St. Paul, Kansas City and Atlanta markets. HAWKEYE > CHEMICAL COMPANY Clinton, Iowa 52732 (319) 243-5800 22 o D < cn D Q 2 i < u Locke Mfg., Inc., a producer of professional, reel-type mowers for 50 years, recently officially opened its new million-dollar facility in the Boston A venue Industrial Park in Bridgeport, Conn. The company's new facility is pictured upper left. At upper right, is the final inspection of a No. 10 Locke mower and a No. 45 Maxi Locke mower. Rudy Zaleta is at left and Pat Rupe at right. At left, the first Locke mower to come off the assembly line at the new Locke facilities. Sales manager Kevin McGrath is at left, Rudy Zaleta is in the middle, and Pat Rupe is at right. Among speakers addressing the 300 guests at the grand opening were the Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Depart-ment of Economic Development, bringing the greetings of Connecticut Governor O'Neill, and the mayor of Bridgeport. The event was covered by local and regional radio stations as well as by several newspapers ana trade publications. squashed,and scuffed and it still looks great. Butthatsnot news to you. The days when turf just laid around looking pretty are long gone. Now your turf has to be pretty Šand pretty tough, too. Tough enough to take all kinds of wear and still go on looking terrific. That's just why so many pros like you specify turf seed from Northrup King. For years, Northrup King has given pros all they needŠlow maintenance varieties, winter hardy blends, special mixes for specific geographic problems, and expert help in selecting the right one. And no matter what Northrup King turf seed the pros use, they get turf that's good looking and hard working. Find out more about quality turf seed from Northrup King. Talk to your Northrup King representative or distributor. Or talk to someone with great looking turf. Northrup King Co., P.O. Box 959 Minneapolis, MN 55440 Advances in Turfgrass Pathology published by HARCOURT BRACE JOVANOVICH PUBLICATIONS in cooperation with Dr. B. G. Joyner, Dr. P. O. Larsen and Chemlawn Corporation ADVANCES IN ! TURFGRASS PATHOLOGY Efc= only $27.95* hardcover only $18.95* paperback A compilation of more than 23 reports and discussions by the nation's leading pathology authorities. This one-of-a-kind volume extensively explores the diseases of turfgrasses and what the industry can do to combat these diseases. One of the most comprehensive, timely books available on turfgrass problemsŠsure to become an industry reference "standard" ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY! Return this coupon to: Book Sales Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publica-tions One East First Street, Duluth, MN 55802 YES! Please send me--copy(ies) of ADVANCES IN TURFGRASS PATHOLOGY. My payment is enclosed. $27.95* hardcover $18.95* paperback Quantity ratea available on request 'Please add $2.50 per order, and if ordering multiple copies, also add 25e per additional copy for postage and handling costs. Name Address-City Signature--State--Zip--Date-Phone Number-Scheduled for publication January 30, 1981. Order will be ful-filled within 60 days of the date of order. LC, CONDOS from page 1 country. For the most part, their responses are candid and reveal a sound understanding of the prob-lems associated with year-round apartment maintenance. Surprisingly enough, the most commonly-voiced complaint about the work is not the mainte-nance itself, but setting up a comprehensive contract. Most apartment complexes hire a maintenance firm to handle all phases of apartment or con- dominium upkeep. The company, in turn, will often hire a lawn care company for the grounds work. Then the owners, the management company, and the lawn care com-pany owners meet to hammer out the contract. The initial problems arise in trying to satisfy the needs of all the ten-ants or owners under the terms of one inclusive contract. The initial problems arise in trying to satisfy the needs of all the tenants or owners under the terms of one inclusive contract. "Man-agement by committee is a very slow business," says Keith Maurer of Maurer Enterprises, Inc. in Horshan, Pa. "And even then, the individual home owner may not know where the contractor's re- sponsibility ends and his own begins." Even with a sound contract, the lawn care company may run up against an individual homeowner with plans of his own. The result may be a conflict of interest Š with a price tag. "One person may put up a fence after the contract has been signed," says Maurer. "And you'll have to make a lot more turns which can end up costing you." Once a conflict like this arises, it may be difficult to make an appeal to the management company to change contract terms. "It's almost impossible to get the committee to spend more dollars," says Maurer. "Once the deal is made, it's pretty final." A rigid contract Maurer is emphatic about hav-ing a specific, detailed mainte- nance contract when he handles this kind of job. That way, if additional or costly demands are made on your crews during the course of the year, you can stick by the terms. "It may be over-detailed," he said, "but in the long run it will save you a lot of aggravation." Another problem Maurer finds in the apartment or condominium job is more general in nature: "A lot of these places are not designed with maintenance in mind. They're designed for quick plant-ings and may be gorgeous to look at, but when you try to maintain them, forget it." Along with a rigid contract, however, this kind of work re-quires a certain amount of flexi-bility on the part of the contractor. It may not always be possible to get the terms of the contract changed. And it may be even more difficult to get the apartment owner to keep to page 24 If you watch figures a lot, when it comes to the bottom line, Fylking keeps costs under control two ways. First, it's priced lower than most elite bluegrass seed. Second, it's an inexpensive beauty to maintain Š a diet delight compared to other bluegrass needs for water and fertilizer. It's low growing, can be mowed as low as one-half inch and has the great body you want for seed mixtures. Fylking. A very nice spread with very appealing figures. Ask for Fylking Kentucky bluegrass at your local wholesale seed or sod distributor. KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS U.S. Plant Patent 2887 Another fine, quality-con-trolled product of Jacklin Seed-Company. mwm^ rm .ii/r^ju CONDO from page 22 up his end of the agreement. So, Maurer advises, if you have to have it your way, it may be wise to reconsider that type of work. Others are more bullish on han-dling the apartment/condo job. They say it is a volume business that can be very lucrative if it's handled with responsive public relations. "You have to keep open-minded communication between the owners and the man-agement for this to work," says Mike Didomenico of S & M Land-scaping Construction in Bedford Heights, Ohio. "That way you're on top of it before any monumental problem arises." Understand your capabilities And public relations is a big part of this type of work. Didomenico suggests that the lawn care con-tractor stop by periodically if for nothing else than to just say hello. "The key to our success," he says, "is improvement of the complex. We advise them of specific prob-lems and in turn they can create more work for us." Didomenico says that the job is a natural for most mowing and maintenance businessmen. If an apartment complex manager starts to do the work on his own, he quickly realizes that he's biting off more than he can chew. "The management companies don't want the headaches that accom-pany grounds upkeep," he said. "We can save them money by going in there with a competitive price." If a company is geared toward maintaining apartment com-plexes, it makes it all the more easier for them to handle other commercial and industrial work as well. Didomenico says that you must have a complete under-standing of your capabilities. "It's very difficult for a small operator to do that kind of work," he said. "He will be forced to change his equipment to do both kinds of work." On the other hand, a big com-mercial operator has to adapt his techniques very little in order to handle apartment grounds. "It's not a cut and dried deal," says Didmenico. "You have to have the right kind of equipment to do that type of work." Lead development Diversity is another added in-centive. A company must keep up a variety of jobs in order to stay in business these days and the apartment/condominium jobs af-ford them the opportunity for change. Whether you're dealing with a management company or with a committee of tenant I owners, a big contract can result in a variety of both commercial and residential leads. Apartment and condominium work also affords the mowing/ maintenance business the oppor-tunity to branch out. Most com-plexes require light landscaping and experience with such jobs can garner your company good refer- ences. One such operator is Ray McMullen of Ray's Landscaping & Nursery in Walled Lake, Michi-gan. "You can double your pro- duction with commercial jobs," he said. McMullen does installation work for commercial jobs like these and will only maintain them through the first cut. He em-phasizes the need for specializa-tion when it comes to the apart-ment job. "You've got to be specialized," he said. "For one thing, because of all the angles, you have to have both small and large equipment Š walk-behind and riding mowers, for instance. 250 bosses But he, for one, would rather not get into the maintenance side of it, preferring, he says, to be dealing with just one person. "If you've got 250 units, that's the number of bosses you've got," he said. "In a condominium, everybody's got their own viewpoint." The people that are most suc-cessful at apartment/condo work are those who can dovetail the work into other parallel jobs. That way, equipment changes and gen-eral overhead can be kept to a minimum. "We do it in conjunc-tion with other jobs," says James Bradley of Oak Brook Landscape Co. in Oak Brook, Illinois. "We'll send in a crew for two days a week and then the same crew can work with an adjacent small park dis- trict." Customer contact The apartment job is very simi-lar to park and commercial maintenance, says Bradley, whose company offers both turf and tree care. "Our guys can handle both types of work," he says, "whereas a residential crew could not." Bradley says that there are three cardinal rules that must be fol-lowed in order to ensure the right working relationship on an apart- ment job. "The first is that you have to treat each unit of the complex as a single family resi-dence." Those that are unwilling to look at it that way, he says, may run into management problems. The second rule is that super-vision on the job is critical. Unless your crews are supervised by a good manager, job specifications may tend to be ignored and rela-tions with the management con-pany may suffer. "And contact with the committee head is the third critical thing. He's your conduit to each homeowner and unless he knows exactly what you're doing, you have no way of protecting yourself against any friction on the job." Make your contracts specific, warns Bradley. Generally, there's a common area or 'green-belt' that's easy to agree upon. But the en- tranceways are the major portion of work because they require a lot of attention and may differ with each unit. "Make sure the com-mittee agrees on all the details," he said. No short contract In selling your service, Bradley advises to get a one-year contract first and then try to extend it the second year to two years. Gener- ally, the fee breaks down to a per-unit cost, which is usually based on a longer seven month pay-out and another five month charge during the winter. "You never want to get a three-month contract," says Bradley. "Because before you know it, the board will change and you'll be faced with having to renegotiate the whole contract over again." Obviously, Bradley is sold on the apartment/condominium job. He says that it not only provides a solid long-term income, but helps the employes as well. "It works out well for everybody involved," says Bradley. "It's good for the worker because he can get involved in a long term contract." Production all the way But the most important aspect of the work is public relations, Brad-ley says. "The biggest asset you can have in this kind of business is communications Š good super- vision and communications." Robert Taylor of Herb Taylor and Son Landscaping is also high on the apartment job. While he says that they have always started with residential work on a cus-tomized basis, "condos are pro-duction all the way. They want to look decent, but they want it done as cheap as possible." Taylor employs four men and says that they can do the commer-cial job the same day as they do their residential work. "We do our commercial jobs at the beginning of the week and spend the rest of the time on the residential. The commercial jobs should be done first because of the business week." Taylor says that he tries to make BanvelH-2,4-D = Turf (minus 29 of the toughest kinds of weeds) All it takes is one application, and your weed control job is done for the season. And so are 29 of the hardest-to-kill varie- ties of broadleafs. BANVEL plus 2,4-D is a versatile com-bination you use anytime from early spring to late fall. It kills by penetrating both leaves and roots, so weeds can't come back. Mixes quickly, stores well. Use it accord-ing to directions, and your weed worries are over for the year. Ask your Velsicol distributor about BANVEL 4S, too. Or write Velsicol Chemical Corporation, 341 E. Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60611. Before using any pesticide, read the label OVelsicol OVelsicol Chemical Corp.. 1981 TOOLS,TIPS,TECHNIQUES Trees need extra care in summer Don't let the summer go by without fertilizing your customer's trees, say many arborists. If you haven't been feeding customer trees for the last year or two, it might be time you started. We haven't seen the full effects of drought this year and last, warn tree experts. Trees should be fertilized to help withstand summer's baking sun and hot, dry winds. Dry summer winds steal the life blood from trees and evergreens, say many authorities, because they remove moisture that cannot be replaced by depleted water supplies. After fertilization, water thoroughly and put down a three- to four-inch layer of some kind of organic mulch. A practical way to fertilize is with Jobe's Tree and Shrub Spikes, marketed by International Spike, Inc., Lexington, Ky. Five of these spikes driven into the ground around a 20-foot tree are enough for a complete season, the company said. Last summer's drought, followed by a dry, cold winter as it was in many areas, was very damaging to most trees. But fertilization, using mulch and watering as much as local restrictions allow will certainly help your customer's trees through. "If you've got 250 units, that's the number of bosses you've got. In a condominium, everybody's got their own viewpoint," says Ray McMullen, Ray's Land-scaping & Nursery, Walled Lake, Mich. the contracts from one commercial job to the next differ as little as possible. "We want to know what they're going to spend for the year and then we make the contract around their budget," he said. "But when you're dealing with nature, sometimes you're going to have to adapt." The last word on the apartment/ condominium job is that it is not for everyone. If you're doing mainly residential work, it might be difficult to schedule your crews around the equipment changes that are necessary. And if you prefer to work for an individual rather than a committee repre- sented by one, maybe you'd better think twice. But as long as the contract is comprehensive and long-term, you shouldn't have too many dis-putes. However, everyone must agree to its terms. Because these are usually long-term contracts, there are bound to be uncertain-ties. For the most part, all those interviewed agree that apartment or condominium work can ensure long-term volume business. As Robert Taylor said, "Apartments . . . and banks . . . that's where the money is." ŠPaul McCloskey LOWBALL from page 1 And because the lawn care in-dustry has a lot of self-starters, in period of high unemployment, the number of companies tends to grow. "We get a few people who want to get into the business fast," says Lyons. "And if they don't have the experience, they'll underbid not on purpose, but just out of ignorance." Lyons does have a few sugges-tions on how lowballing might be stemmed. Original contracts should be carried through ac- cording to the exact specifications. "In many cases, there is not a check-back to see if the job was done as contracted." A check system might be useful, or some insurance of contract per-formance, he believes. Lyons doesn't deny that some price cutting is natural, however, especially in periods of high un- employment. "When we're out of work, we all try to trim prices," he said. "When you have 10 or 15 men looking at you, you'll take a job at cost just to keep the organi-zation together." Making up the difference But he believes the key to the problem is good management, without which, everybody's "just beatin' the wind." Another source of control is the industry associa-tions which, in the interests of the whole, should warn and condemn price cutters. "They're just killing the trade," he says. Lowballing is also on the rise in Louisville, Kentucky, where Sam Farison is president of Farison Lawn Care. "I'd say we're about the cheapest market in the coun-try," he said. "And we lost quite a few accounts last year that were grossly underestimated by other companies." Farison cites actual figures of a company applying one and a half rate of Betasan, when he had estimated the acreage to require an eight and a half per thousand rate. "We always talk about it," he says, "but see no decision. It almost makes us look like we're crybabies, but we're really not. It's terrible for the industry." Companies that have manage-ment and labor difficulties are the ones cited most often as con-tributing to the problem. And that's not difficult to understand. If costs are being cut on the job site, personnel may be the area in which the income is retrieved. "There's really no law being bro- ken," said Farison. "It's just the integrity of the industry is suffer-Ł — M ing. Or, to put it bluntly, when you cut the cost of labor or materials, you've got to make up the differ-ence elsewhere. The result may often be disgruntled employes, angry customers, and an alienated business community. Lowballers often try to get quick results from their applications, some say. This can be done by over-fertilizing turf in order to get maximum green-up. For a while, a customer may be astonished at the results. The kicker comes, how-ever, later on, when turf becomes burned-out from all that rich feeding. And by that time, the offender may be long gone. Some say that lowballing is done by conpanies who may be ready to sell out and want to maximize their customer lists be-fore offering their company for sale. Cost cushion But lowballing for fun and profit is bound to cause a company to deteriorate. "One of two things will happen to a company that intentionally under cuts," says Ronnie Zweibel, president of ChemCare Lawn Service in Bir-mingham, Alabama. "If you cut back on the required chemicals needed to do the job, the customer will either eventually cancel, or you'll run yourself ragged on service calls. And who can afford to do that?" Zweibel says he sets his prices slightly higher than normal in order to provide a cost cushion that enables him to give the cus-tomer that little extra. "People out there are price shopping," he said. "You want to make sure they're getting their money's worth." An interesting corollary to the problem, Zweibel says, is "high-balling," in which a guy might over price his service during a call in order to exaggerate the extent of a customer's turf problems. "They might use scare tactics," he said, "to get the customer into believing he's got a real problem, when in fact it's pretty easily controllable." But in the long run price under-cutting only hurts the integrity of the lawn care industry as a whole. "It creates turmoil in the indus-try," says Zweibel, "and throws doubt on all of us." Some areas of the country seem less plagued by lowballing than others. In Cincinnati, Ohio, where to page 26 Roundup makes him a one man army to fight weeds. One man with Roundup in a backpack sprayer can handle many weed control jobs that once took several people. General weed control. Edging. Trimming. Small renovation jobs. RoundupK herbicide helps make all of these a one man job. Sprayed on the foliage of tough, actively growing weeds, Roundup goes right down to the roots, controlling the entire plant Treated weeds won t grow back. So there is less need for repeat treatments, mowing and hand weeding. One man can do the work of several, and in less time. This can mean a savings for you in time, labor and maintenance costs. Reach for Roundup today, and put your own one man army to work. Monsanto Nothing works like Roundup. ^ FOR LITERATURE CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-621-5800 In Illinois. 1-800-972-5858. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW THE LABEL FOR ROUNDUP. Roundup* is a registered trademark of Monsanto Co. RUP-SP1-114D •> Monsanto Co. 1981 o D < >« oc H co D Q 2 < U 2 £ MONEYWISE Cutting corners at the Post Office The U.S. Postal Service has initiated its controversial system of nine-digit ZIP codes, after winning a fight with the White House. The Office of Management and Budget dropped its objections that the Postal Service hasn't adequately proved that the new system's benefits would outweigh its costs. James Miller, the budget office's regulatory affairs man, told Post Master William Bolger that a revised cost-benefit study the Post Office submitted was "in accord with the President's regulatory principles . . . " The budget office's action means major commercial mailers now can obtain computer tapes that list every domestic address with its nine-digit ZIP code. Businesses mailing at least 500 first-class letters would get a half-cent discount on each piece displaying the nine-digit zip code, in addition to that saved by those that pre-sort their mail for processing. And in an unrelated, but nonetheless ironic, action, the Post Office is in court fighting for the right of carriers to take shortcuts across resident's lawns. If all carriers "square it," or stick to sidewalks, a study cited by the Justice Department says, the bill for mail delivery would run $100 million more a year. Š provided the lawn care industry doesn't come up with durable ZIP strips. COST CUTTINGS Small business cuts Š scalpel or meat-ax? Will Ronald Reagan's Washington really get out of the business of small business? Not entirely, according to members of the administration. Senate Small Business Committee's Robert Dotchin told Venture magazine that he expects the surgery on small business prograns to be accomplished "with a scalpel, not a meat ax." This may be cold comfort to those faced with the prospects under way. Early indications are that the administration is serious about cutting the budgets of departments and programs that have supported new and small business. Indeed, the administration seems likely to slash direct loans to small businesses and halt the kind of favorable status that has given such businesses a leg up in competing for these loans. And although the administration may not go that far, informed sources say Reagan will attempt to further reduce the attractiveness of lending programs by bringing interest rates on direct and special loans up to the level charge on loan guarantees. The SBA's direct loans have charged 9Vi percent interest since October, while guaranteed loans whose rates are set by banks, may be as high as 2 V2 percent over the prime. Looks like it's time to tighten the belts and keep those engines clean. LOWBALL from [>oRe 25 Larry Brandt is president of Spray-A-Lawn, the problem seems less significant. "I really don't think it's on the rise," he said. "And when it happens, it's usually done by those companies that hire a guy on straight commissions. Then he'll sometimes under-measure the job just to keep his quota up." When asked if substantial price undercutting by one company has the power to ruin another com-pany, Brandt says, "It's more of an irritant than anything else. They might get the business for a year or so, but in the long run it will not pay off." Rise in competition The key seems to be in avoiding the temptation and to just stand fast. "We won't lower our prices under any condition," says Brandt. "It doesn't pay in the long run, and besides, we have a repu-tation to protect." There doesn't seem to be any one kind of company that may see fit to underbid consistently. Some man- agers say that it's the bigger com-panies that do it because they're the ones that can afford to and still keep afloat. Others say it's the smaller companies just starting up, who, out of either ignorance or aggressiveness, will lowball to break into a market quickly. In Orchard Park, New York, a suburb of Buffalo, Dale Wagatha is a Perf-A-Lawn franchisee. Last year, he said, there were five lawn care companies in the Buffalo area. This year the number has risen to 12 Š a rise in competition that can be considered a prime condition for lowballing. Pushing others out "With that kind of competi-tion," he said, "the standard price is cheap enough." Wagatha says that there is "a hell of a lot of underbidding going on in the Buffalo area, usually split between major companies and upstarts. "The larger companies can af-ford to," he said. He mentioned one large company that gives it's customers a free application if they stick with them for the entire year. Under normal circumstances, such a policy may not be consid- ered lowballing, unless it's done with the intention of pushing others out of a market. On the other hand, a smaller company with low overhead, run out of a home or garage, may be able to go into a market with cheaper prices. Is this lowballing? Only if the company is willfully going in with an unreasonable price, says Wagatha. "There's a difference between underbidding and a sales incentive," he said. He does make the point, how-ever, that it's usually the middle sized companies that suffer the most in such a large market when a significant amount of lowballing is going on. These are the com-panies that are building, adding to their overhead, but who haven't the assets to protect them from undercutters. Detroit market flat When asked what can be done to solve the problem, Wagatha says that a lot of companies don't put down the square footage of a job they estimate. When a company lowballs, their rate per thousand square feet is usually standard and reasonable. The price gouging only becomes evident if the plot is underestimated. But his market is booming, nevertheless. "I've got all the business I can handle," he says. "There's been a tremendous up- surge in the market despite the problem." Another area which is very prone to lowballing tactics is the Michigan area where the depres-sion in the auto industry has depressed the lawn care market for some time. "There's been at least a 25 percent reduction in the lawn care market here," says Donald Metzger, president of Saginaw Valley Lawn Care. "We really feel it. People who normally take five applications are now taking four." Metzger is very wary of those who would skimp on chemical maintenance in order to make their quotes more attractive to potential customers. "If you don't go all the way with disease control," he said, "you're going to have some very serious problems on down the road." And that's the real cost of under-cutting, according to many. If you're going to charge at rates that are less than cost, you'll have to make it up in areas such as disease management. That can be very dangerous in a couple of year's time and may take a long time to correct. Metzger is not optimistic when it comes to curtailing the rise of willful price undercutting. "There will always be some of it around," he said. "You'll never be able to cure those people that are doing it unscrupulously." Robert D'Ginto, who operates Keystone Lawn Spray in Wayne, Pennsylvania, sees the lowballing problem as more a reflection of the kind of industry that the lawn care industry is. "Profits are the name of the game in lawn care," he said. "It's not the number of accounts. If you're doing it (lowballing) con-sistently, it's going to catch up with you." Breaking in fast Stressing that there's no excuse for lowballing in the lawn care industry, D'Ginto says that more of it is going on in his area than ever before. He doesn't believe that it's the well established companies that are making a practice of it. "They have a good understanding of the market," he said. "Rather, it's the smaller guys who want to break in fast." "More than anything else, it's a nuisance. They don't really have the power to knock anybody else out of the market. But all in all it makes the legitimate companies look bad." The quick buck Legitinacy seems to be the key word in the dispute over low-bailing. A small industry like the lawn care business is growing hand over fist. And as it's in its maximum growth years, there are all kinds of entrepreneurs who are interested in it. Some are solid businessmen Š some are out to make a quick buck. The difference lies in two areas: those who realize their individual potential as lawn care businessmen, and those who feel they belong to the community of the industry as a whole. Both viewpoints should be united so that sound business ethics can be handed down year by year. If the lowballing problem con-tinues to rise, whatever its real cause Š because of the economy of just overzealous businessmen Š the real victim is the stature of the industry. Slow deterioration But perhaps David Lyons said it best when he considered the problem as a democratic one. "If you don't make a profit in this democratic country, you're out of a job. But unless you can do it fairly, the whole industry will come to a screeching halt." Lawn care businessmen all over the country see the problem of price gouging as a growing con-cern. Most understand the fine line between competitive pricing and lowballing Š between sales in-centives and getting the job no matter what the cost. Since those who do it may not feel the effect for two or three years, the seriousness of the prob-lem may not be apparent to them. But it's a creeping effect. It's slow deterioration. Although it may not have the power to buckle the industry, it can slow down the prosperity of those who can make the industry worthwhile. Š Paul McCloskey Most understand the fine line between competitive pricing and lowballing Š between sales incentives and getting the job no matter what the cost. Circle the Reader Service numbers of those items of interest to you. Inquiries serviced for 90 days from date of issue. For those countries outside the U.S., please apply appropriate postage before mailin READER SERVICE INFORMATION CARD 8-81 : For more Information on products or services mentioned in this issue, circle the corresponding numbers below, fill in appropriate information and mail today. 101 108 115 122 129 136 143 150 157 164 171 178 185 192 199 206 213 220 227 23 102 109 116 123 130 137 144 151 158 165 172 179 186 193 200 207 214 221 228 23 103 110 117 124 131 138 145 152 159 166 173 180 187 194 201 208 215 222 229 23« 104 111 118 125 132 139 146 153 160 167 174 181 188 195 202 209 216 223 230 23 105 112 119 126 133 140 147 154 161 168 175 182 189 196 203 210 217 224 231 23; 106 113 120 127 134 141 148 155 162 169 176 183 190 197 204 211 218 225 232 23? 107 114 121 128 135 142 149 156 163 170 177 184 191 198 205 212 219 226 233 24« PLEASE CHECK BELOW YOUR PRIMARY BUSINESS AT THIS LOCATION: A CONTRACTOR OR SERVICES: ŁLawn care service business involved primarily with fertilization, weed, and insect control Please specify method of application 10 DUquid 11 DOry 12 DBoth 20 ŁPrimarily mowing/maintenance service 30 L J Landscape contractor/lawn service company 40 Ł Nursery or garden center/lawn service company 50 DPest control/lawn service company 60 Ł Irrigation contractor/lawn service company B. GROUNDS CARE/MAINTENANCE AT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FACILITIES: 110 Ł Private or public estate 120 USchooi, college, university, hospital, or similar facility 130 UCondominium housing development or industrial park 140 ŁGovernment grounds, parks, around municipal buildings, military facilities 150 Ł Cemetery or memorial garden 190 OOther (please specify) C. SUPPLIER 210 Ł Chemical dealer or distributor 220 ŁEquipment dealer or distributor 230 DSeed broker/dealer 240 DSod grower NAME BUSINESS NAME. CITY _STATE_ -TITLE . .ADDRESS _ -ZIP-TELEPHONE ( ) AREA CODE I WISH TO RECEIVE (CONTINUE RECEIVING) LAWN CARE INDUSTRY EACH MONTH Ł YES Ł NO SIGNATURE DATE BUSINESS REPLY CARD FIRST CLASS PERMIT NO. 665 DULUTH, MINNESOTA POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE READER SERVICE DEPARTMENT L4WN GIRE INDUSTRY POST OFFICE BOX 6200 DULUTH, MINNESOTA 55806 NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES 2,4-D from pnge 1 JACOBSEN from page 1 "2,4-D herbicides hove been used widely throughout the world for over 30 years. The Industry TaskForce is unaware of any studies linking 2,4-D to human health effects or undue damage to the environ-ment. . . ." scientists identified the presence of certain dioxin isomers in 2,4-D which prompted the recent government action. The U.S. Environmental Protec-tion Agency (EPA) recently analyzed 30 samples of 2,4-D products produced in the U.S. Twenty-seven of the samples were reported to be free of any dioxin using an analytical method sensi-tive to one part per billion (ppb). Following is the thrust of the Agriculture Canada announce-ment which impacts 2,4-D pro-duction and use: Ł An immediate ban halts the sale by basic manufacturers of 2,4-D technical esters that have been shown to contain dioxins. Ł Insure that all 2,4-D material is free of dioxin contamination by next year (The Canadian registra-tion of 2,4-D products reportedly requires that the herbicides be free of dioxins as demonstrated by valid analysis sensitive to one ppb). Consistent production "The Task Force is also uncer-tain whether 2,4-D manufacturers can consistently produce the her-bicide to meet the newly estab-lished Canadian standards for dioxin content," Jack Davies, Task Force chairman, told LAWN CARE INDUSTRY. Seventy-five possible isomers theoretically exist in the dioxin family. The dioxin compounds may occur as possible by-products in the manufacture of certain chlorinated phenols and as prod-ucts of certain combustion pro-cesses. "Evidence from scientific in-vestigations in the U.S., Canada and Europe shows dioxins were found on particulate matter from the stacks of municipal and in-dustrial incinerators, the chimneys of wood burning stoves and fireplaces, smoke from cigarettes, deposits in automobile mufflers and the emission stack of a fossil-fuel powerhouse," Davies said. He also noted that none of the 75 dioxins are produced commer-cially, nor do any have industrial applications. Toxicity varies The toxicity of the different dioxin isomers varies considera-bly. Among the dioxins discov-ered by Canadian scientists with techniques sensitive to one ppb, the acute toxicity ranges from one million to 15,000 times less toxic than 2,3,7,8-TCDD. "While the Canadian study is of considerable interest to analytical chemists, the mere presence of specific dioxins found at the levels reported does not constitute a hazard to human health or the environment," Davies said. Agri- culture Canada cited no incidents or studies demonstrating such a hazard. Studies conducted in the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, Finland and the United Kingdom evaluat-ing the effects of exposure to 2,4,5-T herbicide (which does contain 2,3,7,8-TCDD) report no adverse human health effects. "2,4-D herbicides have been used widely throughout the world for over 30 years. The Industry Task Force is unaware of any studies linking 2,4-D to human health effects or undue damage to the environment when 2,4-D products are used in accordance with label directions," Davies said. Since no viable health hazards exist with prescribed uses of 2,4-D, the Canadian regulatory action must be addressed purely from a process technology standpoint. "Industry scientists believe it is not valid to conclude that 2,4-D can consistently be produced with a dioxin content of less than one ppb, utilizing current technol-ogy," Davies said. Based on the absence of demon-strated health risks and the uncer-tainty of analytical methodology, the 2,4-D Industry Task Force concludes the Canadian actions are unnecessary to protect human health and the environment from unreasonable risks. The Industry Task Force on 2,4-D Research Data is a consor-tium of chemical manufacturers and fomulators organized to up-date and amend the health and environmental data on the her-bicide. In addition to controlling broadleaf weeds in turf, 2,4-D is used in cereal grain crops, sugar cane, pastures and non-crop land. 61-year-old turf manufacturer of turf maintenance equipment. Since 1974, Dwyer has been vice president of engineering of Tex-tron's Polaris E-Z-GO Div., Min-neapolis, where he was responsi-ble for product development. Prior to Polaris E-Z-GO, he held engineering management posi-tions at Black & Decker Mfg. Co., Outboard Marine Corp.'s Lawn-Boy Div., and Tecumseh Product Co.'s Power Products Div. Dwyer received a bachelors de-gree in mechanical engineering from Marquette University. He is also a registered professional en-gineer in Wisconsin, Illinois and Maryland, and holds several in-dustrial patents. Until the Dwyer appointment. H. G. Nordmann served as general manager of Jacobsen, replacing Thomas Bruns, who resigned the post in February. For information, contact: J & L ADIKES, INC. Jamaica, N.Y. 11423 JONATHAN GREEN & SONS Farmingdale, N.J. 07727 NORTHRUP KING CO. Minneapolis, Minn. 55413 VAUGHAN-JACKLIN CORP. Bound Brook, N.J. 08805 Downers Grove, III. 60515 JACKLIN SEED CO. Post Falls, Idaho 83854 ROTHWELL SEEDS LTD. Lindsay, Ont., Can. K9V 4L9 FORA THICKER GREENER TURF JL. KENTUCKY Ł BLUEGRASS THE GREENER KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS® 'U.S. Plant Pat No 3150 D < >* oc H C/3 D Q Z w S < u z £ < Pulling the rug out This month's issue contains an article on what has become a prickly subject in the lawn care industry. Consistent underbidding in order to win jobs Š or lowballing as it's called Š appears to be widespread in many lawn care markets. While most consider it a nuisance at most, it does, like some kind of business virus, have the ability to sap a market of its competitive vitality. But when does competitive bidding become fraudulent price cutting? The difference seems fairly clear-cut. Many companies have the resources and the capital to offer free-treatment incentives or discount plans without having to cut back on their fertilizer rates, their pesticide rates, or their employes' wages. This way they can slowly come to dominate a market. Is this lowballing? Most of you would probably agree that this, while a nuisance, is a plain fact of business life. Underbidding, then, only becomes low-balling when a company cannot reasonably cover their service and overhead costs at their set price. And that's when market can turn foul. The difference has to be made up somewhere, whether by slackening spray rates or by holding back our employes' raises. Lowballing can never be practiced for a very long time Š it will always backfire. Employes will be disgruntled if they have to bear the cost of bad business. Customers will complain soon after they realize they're getting mediocre results. There's another cost, however, that cannot be assigned a numerical value. And that's the ethical cost to the industry as a whole. It's a little like inflation. Although people seem to have the same amount of cash in their pockets, their money is buying less and less. A creeping dissatisfaction sets in, they become vaguely frustrated, and finally angry. And that's precisely what could happen to the lawn care industry if lowballing reaches epidemic proportions. Right now many lawn care businessmen are dissatisfied Š soon the customers will recoilŠand lawn care will have lost its lustre. CLASSIFIED RATES: 40* per word (minimum charge, $15). Bold face words or words in all capital letters charged at 60* per word. Boxed or display ads charged at $40 per column inch (one inch minimum). Agency commissions will be given only when camera-ready art is provided by agency. For ads using blind box number, add $5 to total cost of ad. Send ad copy with payment to Dawn Anderson, LAWN CARE IN-DUSTRY, 1 East First Street, Duluth, MN 55802. BOX NUMBER REPLIES: Mail box number replies to: LAWN CARE IN-DUSTRY, Classified Ad Department, 120 W. 2nd St., Duluth, MN 55802. Please include box number in address. FOR SALE KELWAY® SOIL ACIDITY TESTER, used, by PROFESSIONALS nation-wide. Direct reading, lightweight, portable, fully serviceable, no power source. Model HB-2 reads moisture too. Available through distributors. 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Owners will provide training and ensure smooth take-over. Florida State Business Brokers, Inc., 1321 U.S. 19 South, Clearwater, Florida 33516. (813) 536-0444. 9/81 FOR SALE Š Four Morris Slurry Centrifugal Pumps, Type 2JC11, Suc-tion Port Š 3", Exhaust Port Š 2", with or without a Cross hydraulic motor and coupling. Extra Parts, new and used. For further information, please contact: David Allen, do W. S. Connelly and Company, Inc., P.O. Box 88, Salem, VA 24153. (703)389-9677. Electric Auger. Excellent for loading spray trucks with dry material. $250. 216-357-8400. 9/81 1979 CHEVY LAWN SPRAY TRUCK 750 gallon compartmented tank (250 gallon and 500 gallon) Electric hose reel w/500 foot hose and gun. Ideal production or service sprayer. 25000 miles. Excellent condition. Call (216)357-8400. 9/81 HELP WANTED BRANCH MANAGER Chemical Lawn Care firm is accepting applications for Managerial position. Must be experi-enced in route and service type busi-ness, responsible for sales personnel and administration. Must be willing to relocate in Ohio, Indiana or Kentucky areas. Write LCI Box 52. u/8i Experienced Lawn Technician. Ex- cellent opportunity for person experi- enced in chemical lawn care. New company with growing pains. Excel-lent promotion possibilities. Salary, bonus, benefits. Send resume and salary requirements for further infor-mation. All inquiries held in complete confidence. Tuckahoe Lawn Care, P.O. Box 27, S locum, RI 02877. ri CAREER OPPORTUNITY Š Land-scape and Grounds Maintenance Foreperson. Year round employment with benefits. Must be a creative and innovative individual, experience in Agronomy and Horticulture. Send re-sume to: Shearon-Higham Land- scaping Co., Inc., RD#1, Cooper Road, Marlton, NJ 08053, or call 609-424-1727. 9/81 BRANCH MANAGER OPPORTU-NITY! We are looking for an aggres- sive manager to manage Lawn Care and Household Pest Control divisions of Florida Branch location. Sales ability/experience a plus. Send resume to Dr. Robert M. Barry, R. W. Collins, Incorporated, P.O. Box 2477, Satellite Beach, Florida 32937. «/»1 POSITION WANTED WORK WANTED Š Aggressive branch manager with national lawn care company is seeking change. Five years experience in all phases of chemical lawn care operations. Re- sume and salary requirements to fol-low inquiries. Write LCI Box 55. h/hi SERVICES Increase your profits this year with "Garden Tips", the monthly customer newsletter with your company name/ phone. Proven response . . . cements customer relations, gets them to spend more, opens new doors expertly in new expansion areas. Low cost, effec-tive profit building. Call today 516-538-6444, we'll send complete infor- mation or write: Garden Tips, Box 117, Garden City, NY 11530. TI CONTRACT TREE DIGGING RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE CONTRACTING WHOLESALE NURSERY STOCK COMMERCIAL HYDRO-SEEDING & EROSION CONTROL adam fritz LANDSCAPE & NURSERY CONTRACTOR RT. 4. BOX 1, LAKE ZURICH, ILLINOIS 60047 312-438-5101 WANTED TO BUY Wanted: Used Stainless Steel Com-bines, that aerates, rolls, sprays liquid, as formerly used by Lawn-A-Mat deal-ers. Write: Conestoga Golf & Country Club, Conestogo, Ontario Canada NOB 1NO or call (1-519) 664-2234. Mi ADVERTISERS Adelphi 29 Andersons, The 10 Burlingham & Sons 11 Dow Chemical 2,3 Feldmann Engineering 20 Hawkeye Chemical 21 International Seeds, Inc 13 Jacklin Seed Co 7, 23, 31 Lawn Care Industry 14, 22 Lakeshore Equipment 32 Mobay Chemical Corp 15-18 Monsanto Co 25 Northrup King Co 22 Pickseed West, Inc 8 Rainbird Sprinklers 20 Stihl, Inc 19 Tecumseh Products 9 Velsicol Chemical 24 send a message... ...write here. 1 Number of insertions (circle) 2. 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