RANSOMES, INC. THE ECONOMY Wisconsin Marine, Inc. makes name change Wisconsin Marine, Inc., manufac-turers of Bob-Cat lawn mowers, recently announced the company has changed its name to Ran-somes, Inc. The name change follows the development of a new 
corporation, which is a subsidiary of Ransomes Sims and Jeffries Ltd., Ipswich, England. The company's Board of Direc-tors include Dane T. Scag, presi-dent and chairman of the board; 
Charles Prieve, corporate attorney; Robert Dodsworth, managing di-rector of Ransomes Sims and Jef-fries; and F. Guy Catchpole, direc-tor of the Grass Machinery Divi-sion of Ransomes Sims and Jef-fries. 'The new alignment of this corporation expresses our com-plete dedication to the lawn and turf industry," Scag said. "The same strong commitment to serve the industry exists in Ransomes, 
Inc." TRACTORS Mitsubishi welcomes four new distributors Mitsubishi Agricultural Machin-ery Co., Ltd., recently selected four new outdoor power equipment 
distributors. The affiliation of Central South Turf Distributors, Nashville, Tenn.; Minnesota Toro, Minneapolis, Minn.; Modern Dis-tributing Co., Springfield, Mo.; 
and Sterling Distributing Co., Maryland Heights, Mo., extends the company's nationwide market-ing and sales coverage to 17 distributors and more than 1,200 dealers. A Mitsubishi representative de-scribed the selection as "affording 
the greatest opportunity for both horizontal and vertical market 
penetration. "The market for mid-size, full-capability tractors is growing at a 
healthy rate," he added. "We want to offer each distributor the oppor-tunity to concentrate his efforts on building a strong and solid dealer network within a realistic and manageable territory." Lawn care suppliers predict double-digit price increases Most suppliers to the lawn care industry predict a ten to 15 percent 
increase in product prices in 1981, with the lone exception being 
representatives of the turfseed in-dustry who expect prices to stabilize after last year's seed 
shortages. Suppliers most often attributed the projected increases to inflation which reached 12.7 percent in early November. Pricing increases have also been augmented by escalating trucking rates and periodic shortages of some prod-ucts like pre-emergence her-bicides and several turfseed var-ieties. Herbicides. One of the largest price jumps will occur in the area of pre-emergence herbicides, ac-cording to industry sources. Prices are expected to increase 20 percent in this product area and availabil-
ity may also be a problem later in the lawn care season, according to 
Ron Giffen, national marketing director, Lakeshore Equipment & Supply Co., Elyria, Ohio. "Right now we have a good supply of pre-emergence her-bicides," he said, "but it's going 
very rapidly. In the past three years we have had some problems in getting the product to the lawn care operator and I can see the GIRE Serving laPn maintenance and cherrtfcal lawn car^ professionals. DECEMBER 1980 Ł VOL. 4, NO. 12 Ł An HBJ Publication OP EI Safety regulations threaten lawn mower manufacturers The recent decision by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Com-mission (CPSC) denying a request to extend the effective date of the federal safety standard for walk-
behind power lawn mowers will disrupt the mower industry, ac-cording to Dennis C. Dix, execu-tive director of the Outdoor Power 
Equipment Institute (OPEI). The CPSC standard requires pro-tective shields at the rear of the QUICK STARTS Reducing spring turf stress page 6 Pros and cons of perennial ryegrasses page 7 New warm-season turfgrasses page 9 Businessman's guide to labor problems page 10 Improving lawns in shade page 12 Jacobsen introduces training program page 21 MEMOS 2 COST CUTTINGS 6 TOOLS, TIPS & TECHNIQUES 7 NEWSMAKERS 8 MONEYWISE 9 MARKETING IDEA FILE 10 PRODUCTS 24 CLASSIFIEDS 26 For a r page 1 technic his job read en Ł7 2 69*7 IM 9NISNV1 1SV3 AiISb3AINn 5HIS N79IH0IW 11VH adnnnoiasv ** Hi l*iS AOi HQ- -085-110:* 3* -SN-90T000001HS ; INDUSTRY, s at business, >man faces in ested by our mower to keep the operator's feet clear of the blade and also requires shields that automatically close or prevent the blades from spinning when a grass-catcher or other 
accessory is removed. The regulation is effective Dec. 31, 1981. Power mowers manufac-tured after that date must also comply with the requirement that 
the mower blade stop within sec-onds after a user leaves the operat-ing position. This may be accomplished by a blade/clutch device which stops 
the blade while the engine keeps running, or by a device which stops both the engine and the 
blade. The latter approach is more costly because it requires an elec-tric re-star* device. The lawn mower industry had requested a six-month extension for additional testing because of the difficulty companies are hav-ing in finding a reliable brake-clutch device based on different patterns. "We were extremely disap-pointed in the Commission's deci-sion," Dix said. "The industry is 
conducting an all-out testing ef-fort, but manufacturers must begin tooling immediately to meet the standard and because many com-
panies are not close to having a 
reliable device, they are faced with the very real possibility of going out of business or dropping their walk-behind line of mowers." Dix also said the effective date of to page 21 possibility of that happening again this year." Giffen added that those ordering early will receive sufficient supplies of the product. "It's the 
lawn care operator who goes on vacation in December and comes 
back in January or February to order his herbicides who gives us problems." Post-emergence herbicides like Banvel and Trimec are another story. "Post-emergence herbicide prices are up 14 to 18 percent," Giffen said, "but there shouldn't be any problem with availability. At least we don't anticipate any problems." Giffen also predicts a 15 to 20 percent increase in the price of fungicides, depending on the 
manufacturer, and a 15 percent increase in the cost of fertilizers. Spray tanks. Finn Equipment Co., suppliers of 800- and 1,200-gallon spray tanks to the industry, plans to increase prices about 15 
percent. However, the Cincinnati-based company's prices will not become effective until early January. "We built up an inventory off of some older costs so we were able to 
hold our prices down," marketing manager Bob Person said. Cost of Finn's 800-gallon, truck-mounted to page 18 LCI SURVEY Lawn businessmen see gross receipts up 17% The readers of LAWN CARE IN-DUSTRY say they expect 1980 gross receipts to be up 17 percent 
over last year, according to a recent 
survey conducted by the magazine. Average gross receipts for read-ers were $117,089 last year. A 17 percent increase would peg aver-age gross receipts at $136,994 for readers, the survey indicated. The survey reported that readers of the magazine collectively gros-sed $1.1 billion in 1979. Results to this survey are based upon 53.6 percent response to 500 questionnaires mailed to readers 
of the magazine recently. For a 
copy of the complete report, con-tact: Bob Earley, editor/publisher, LAWN CARE INDUSTRY, Har-court Brace Jovanovich, Inc., 757 Third Ave., New York, NY 10017. 1980 Lawn Care Growth 1979 average gross receipts Projected 17% 1980 increase $117,089 $136,994 Source: 1980 LCI survey Enkamat, a soil reinforcement webbing from American Enka Co., was recently installed at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Already in use at Miami's Orange Bowl and several other college stadiums, Enkamat is a three-dimensional webbing made of nylon monofilament fused at the intersections. "Š In addition to the installations in the United States, it has been tes and used successfully on European playing fields for 12 years. The product helps scarred turfgrass heal itself while protecting against compaction and wear. It also holds turf together, minimizingdamagefrom tearing divots as athletes make their cuts and pivots. IM/N OIRE INDUSTRY Editor/ Publisher: ROBERT EARLEY Associate Editor: DAN MORELAND Graphic Coordinator: ROBERT ANDRESEN Graphic Design: DENISE JOHNSON Production Manager: MAXINE HAGEN MARKETING/SALES New York Office: ROBERT EARLEY (212) 888-2892 757 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 Midwest Office: (312) 773-2300 111 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601 Southern Office: DICK GORE (404) 233-1817 3091 Maple Dr., Atlanta, GA 30305 Northwest Office: BOB MIEROW (206) 363-2864 1333 N.W. Norcross, Seattle, WA 98177 Classified: DAWN ANDERSON (218) 727-8511 1 East First St., Duluth, MN 55802 Circulation Supervisor: CLAUDIA PLAUNT 1 East First St., Duluth, MN 55802 Reader Service: GENE BAILEY (218) 727-8511 1 East First St., Duluth, MN 55802 i Please send advertising materials to: LAWN CARE INDUSTRY 120 W. 2nd 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: one year, 
$15 in the United States and Canada; all other countries: $4.50. Controlled circulation postage paid at Cleveland, Ohio 44101. Copyright © 1980 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 Form 3579 to LAWN CARE INDUSTRY, P.O. Box 6017, Duluth. Minnesota 55806. MEMOS Keep it simple. Robert Coyner, vice-president of Pascoe Equipment Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., says lawn care operators should avoid purchasing highly sophisticated turf care equipment and stick to basics. "My advice is to keep your equipment as simple as you can," he says. "Also, if you're having someone custom build your equipment, make sure that you can get repair parts for it in a fairly short time. Or have the parts on inventory so you can do 
the work yourself if something goes wrong." Disease control made simple. Dr. H. B. Couch, professor of plant pathology, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, Va., made some interesting comments about turf diseases at last year's Virginia Turfgrass Conference. A review of some of his observations follows: Ł Powdery Mildew: "The fungicide for controlling powdery mildew is expensive, but it does a nice job of controlling it. The area greens up again within a week after applying the fungicide, so you can sell a lot of clients by controlling the disease." Ł Dollar Spot: "Dollar spot is another disease that responds well to fungicide treatment. It's easy to diagnose and you can bring the grass back within about seven days with a dollar spot fungicide." Ł Rust: "Ryegrasses are extremely susceptible to rust. In fact, the Lord created ryegrasses so rust could have something to 
kill." Ł Slime Molds: "This is one disease that anyone can control. Slime molds do not have any cell wall so you can go out on a lawn and say something derogatory to it and it dies. Of all the problems that are caused by fungi, this is one I guarantee you can control. You can spray it with just about anything and get pretty 
good control." Lawn chemical market grows. Consumers will spend $1.2 billion for lawn, garden and houseplant chemicals in 1980, according to preliminary results of a new survey by C. H. Kline & Co., Fairfield, N.J. The survey states that growth has been spurred by new products, the popularity of home gardens and 
higher prices. The report indicates that the lawn, garden and houseplant chemical business is very competitive. More than 250 com-panies sell these products through retail outlets under their own names. However, a large portion of the business is controlled by a relatively small number of companies. O. M. Scott, the overall leader, has more than 10 percent of the total market, followed closely by Chevron (Ortho), S. C. Johnson, Esmark (Swift) and 
Sterling Drug. The lawn care industry should have a definite impact on these companies as professional lawn care grows in popularity in the coming years. Identifying shade tree insects. Insects can seriously damage 
valuable shade trees on landscape sites. In an attempt to help landscapers and lawn care personnel cope with this problem, the University of Wisconsin-Extension recently released a new publication entitled, "Recognizing Common Shade Tree In-sects." Written by entomologists Phil Pellitteri and Charles Koval, the six-page, full-color brochure describes various shade tree insects and the damage they can cause. A slide-tape program entitled, "Maintaining Your Shade Tree's Health," is also available and provides more detailed information on shade tree insects. Both the brochure and the 
slide-tape program are available from the University of Wisconsin-Extension, Department of Agricultural Journalism, 440 Henry Mall, Madison, WI 53706, or call 608-262-1461. Vegetation plays energy role: Trees, shrubs and other vegetation serving as windbreaks could save homeowners 10 to 25 percent of fuel bills for heating, says a top Agriculture Department official. Well-placed trees could trigger added savings in summer, says Robert Hartung, by cutting down on cooling costs. These 
savings, he says, are possible in average homes with imperfect insulation. These are figures your customers perhaps should know about. Housing Starts: Housing starts increased 12 percent in August to an adjusted annual rate of 1,399,000 units, marking the third 
consecutive month of recovery, government figure officials said. But industry economists warn that high mortgage rates already above 13 percent in most parts of the country may have already started a relapse. LONG LASTING CHIPCO 26019 IS STRONG MEDICINE, FOR LAWN DISEASE PREVENTION. What do you say to a customer when the fungicide you're using on Ins lawn fails to keep turf diseases from breaking out between treatments? 
Even if the customer thinks that a lack of water is causing that brown, 
burned look, you know better Now you can prevent major lawn diseasesŠwithout making extra service callsŠwith CHIPCO 26019 
fungicide. Chipco 26019 gives you the longest residual on the market. 
Long enough for you to effectively prevent diseases with your established spray schedule. When diseases 
threaten your customers' lawns-and your reputation- ( don't make excuses for a fungicide that fails,or doesn't last. Make sure, with Chipco 26019. It's the long last-
ing, strong medicine for lawn disease prevention. For de-tails, ask your chemical distributor, or contact: Rhone 
Poulenc Chemical Co., Agrochemical Div., Rhone 
Poulenc Inc. Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852. (,pRh RHONE POULENC Please read label carefully, and use only as directed. O X 05 U u Q MEETING DATES > OC H C/3 D Q Z i < u z £ < Ohio Turfgrass Conference and Show, Ohio Center, Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 2-4. Contact: John R. Street, Cooperative Exten-sion Service, The Ohio State University, 1827 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43210. New Jersey Turfgrass Expo '80, Cherry Hill Hyatt House, Cherry Hill, N.J., Dec. 8-11. Contact: Dr. Henry W. Indyk, general chairman, Soils & Crops Department, P.O. Box 231, Cook College, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, 201-932-9453. VPI & SU Turfgrass Short Course, Turfgrass Research Center, Blacksburg, Va., Dec. 8-12. Contact: John R. Hall, extension specialist, VPI & SU, 426 Smyth Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 703-961-5797. VPI & SU Turfgrass Small Engine Repair Minicourse, Turfgrass Research Center, Blacksburg, Va., Dec. 15-17. Contact: John R. Hall, extension specialist, VPI & SU, 426 
Smyth Hall. Blacksburg, VA 24061, 703-961-5797. 21st Illinois Turfgrass Conference and Regional Show, Prairie Capital Convention Center, Springfield, 111., Dec. 16-18. Con-tact: Illinois Turfgrass Foundation, P.O. Box 501, Urbana, IL 61801. Maryland Turfgrass '81, Baltimore Con-
vention Center, Baltimore, Md., Jan. 5-7. Contact: Dr. Peter Doerneden, Agronomy Department, University of Maryland, Col-
lege Park, MD 20742, 301-454-3715. The Institute for Agricultural Irrigation, California State University, Fresno, Calif., Jan. 5-16. Contact: The Irrigation Institute, 13975 Connecticut Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20906, 301-871-1200. Nebraska Turfgrass Conference and Show, Holiday Inn, 72nd and Grover, Omaha, Neb., Jan. 12-14. Contact: Paul Bergman, 2428 W. 11th, Hastings, NE 68901, 402-463-5055. Southeastern Pennsylvania Turf School & Trade Show, Westover Country Club, Jef-fersonville, Pa., Jan. 13-14. Contact: Dr. 
William H. White, Philadelphia County Cooperative Extension Service, SE Corner Broad & Grange Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19141, 215-424-0650. Michigan Turfgrass Conference, Kellogg Center, Michigan State University, Jan. 13-15. Contact: Thomas M. Smith, 323 Agriculture Hall, Michigan State Univer-sity, East Lansing, MI 48824, 517-353-4417. North Carolina Turfgrass Conference, Royal Villa Hotel, Raleigh, N.C., Jan. 13-15. Contact: Leon T. Lucas, Department of Plant Pathology, Box 5397, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27660. 919-737-2751. 27th Rocky Mountain Regional Turfgrass Conference, Lory Student Center, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Colo., Jan. 15-16. Contact: D. Butler, Department of Horticulture, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 80523, 303-491-7070. Virginia Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show, John Marshall Hotel, Richmond, Va., Jan. 20-22. Contact: John R. Hall, extension Forget all the claims. Banvel® Herbicides give you what you really need Š exceptional weed control, without turf damage, at a more than competitive cost per acre. Banvel 4S gives you broad control of tough weeds, while Banvel® + 2,4-D provides an even wider spectrum of control, but see the label for certain 
grasses sjsceptible to 2,4-D. Both mix 
readily, and are stable in storage. And, Banvel Herbicides offer special translocation properties. This means they attack the entire weed both from the roots up and the leaves down. Effective, yet economical weed controlŠ that's what Banvel Herbicides can add to your turf care program. When all is said and done, isn't that just what you need? Banvel HerbicidesŠ Tough on Weeds, Easy on Turf. Use Banvel Herbicides on your next broadleaf weed application. For more information: ŁVelsicol Velsicol Chemical Corporation 341 East Ohio Street Chicago, Illinois 60611 Before using any pesticide read the label. specialist, VPI & SU, 426 Smyth Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 703-961-5797. Western Pennsylvania Turf & Grounds Maintenance School & Trade Show, How-ard Johnson Motor Lodge, Monroeville, Pa., Jan. 20-22. Contact: Philip L. Sellers, Allegheny County Cooperative Extension Service, 311 Jones Law Building Annex, 311 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, 412-355-4275, or George Morgan. Wildwood Golf Club, 2195 Sample Road, Allisong Park, PA 15101, 412-487-1234. Turf and Landscape Conference, spon-sored by the New York Turf Landscape Association and the Long Island Gardeners 
Association, in conjunction with the Hud-
son Valley and Long Island Cooperative Extension Service, Tappan Zee Inn, Moun-tain View, Ave., Nyack, N.Y., Jan. 28. Contact: Frank Claps, 136 Laurel Ave., Larchmont, NY 10538, 914-834-6846. National Landscape Association/Garden Centers of America Management Clinic, The Gait House, Louisville, Ky., Feb. 1-4. Contact: Robert S. Fortna, 230 Southern Building, Washington, DC 20005, 202-737-4060. ALCA Annual Meeting & Trade Exhibit, Hyatt Regency, New Orleans, La., Feb. 8-13. Contact: John Shaw, executive director, Associated Landscape Contractors of America, 1750 Old Meadow Road, McLean, VA 22101, 703-893-5440. American Sod Producers Association Mid-Winter Conference, Sahara Tahoe Hotel, Lake Tahoe, Nev., Feb. 16-18. Con-tact: ASPA, 9th & Minnesota, Hastings, NE 68901, 402-463-4683. Capital Area Turf & Ornamental School, location to be announced, Feb. 18-19. Contact: Harold E. Stewart, Dauphin County Cooperative Extension Service, 75 South Houcks, St., Suite 101, Harrisburg, PA 17109, 717-652-8460. Professional Grounds Management Soci-ety Workshop, "Business Management Techniques for Professional Grounds Man-agers," Holiday Inn, Jessup, Md., Feb. 18-19. Contact: Alan Shulder, PGMS, 7 Church Lane, Pikesville, MD 21208, 301-653-2742. Connecticut Groundskeepers Association Conference, Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, Conn., Feb. 25. Contact: Glenn S. 
Moore, Connecticut Groundskeepers As-sociation, P.O. Box 3926, Amity Station, New Haven, CN 06525. COMPANIES HMC yard blower wins product design award The Model 600 electric yard blower, from HMC/The Green Machine, was selected 'Best in Product Design' by an inter-national panel of judges at the recent Art Center Alumni Awards Contest in Los Angeles, Calif. The company is located in Long Beach, Calif. COMPANIES Honda names new engine distributors American Honda Motor Co., Gardena, Calif., recently expanded its engine distributors network with the addition of Power Prod-
ucts Plus, Pasadena, Texas; North-
coast Power Products, Inc., Pleas-
ant Hill, Calif.; Specialty Equip-ment Co., Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.; APSCO, Inc., Allegan, Mich.; and A. J. Vel, Ltd., Latham, N.Y. CO CO D 0» o I O <D »< O c 7 O (D O ® o o 3 >-0 I! o® I a> Z o O 5 ° CD Q) D Q. C CO Z o 8 $ £ I CD Q-O c 3 3 2?. c/> ® 2 w £ w CO 3" w o 8 <o o <0 R <o o >< Mail To: Company Name Your Title First Initial _ Š Š Š Š Middle Initial Š Š 
Š Š Š Last Name Š -Š Š Š CO Š CD o y Š Š Š Š Š r\j rsj kS M NN -» -»-» ro -» TWo ui*. to OD 2S32 cn f i flillls DECEMBER 1980(Expires in 60 days) reader service card Use this card to obtain more information...fast. A < s CL LU CC CO CO LU z CO Z> m B oA Widely Tested and Highly Rated Superior New Kentucky cBluegrass At a wide variety of locations, in comprehensive trials, Merit Kentucky Bluegrass has proven itself one of the better new varieties on numerous counts. Merit consistently rated high in disease-resistance, turf quality and color. Merit produces a dense, dark green, high quality turf, and has also shown good resistance to leaf and dollar spot. Merit was also lauded for its excellent spring color in tests at several locations. V-fere's How 'Merit Has Performed ŁNE-57 TESTS IN 1972 Š Overall, Merit's rating was superior to that of Pennstar, Fylking, Geronimo, Nugget, Park and Glade. Five-year New Jersey trial Š Merit out-ranked Baron, Nugget, Kenblue, Park, Delft, Windsor and Geronimo. Ł New York trial Š Merit ranked above Baron, Kenblue and Park. Ł Three-year Ohio trial (two locations) Š Location # 1, Merit rated above Nugget, Fylking and Kenblue. Location # 2, Merit's ratings superior to Baron, Nugget, Kenblue and Fylking. Ł Four-year Missouri trial Š in season-long turf-quality ratings, Merit highest in a field which included Baron, Bristol, Fylking, Nugget, and Bonnieblue. fMERIT KENTUCKY ULUEGR ASS... ...IT'S WORTH LOOKING INTO A Product of inTERMTionnii SEEDS, inc. PO. Box 168, Halsey, Oregon 97348 Telephone (503) 369-2251 TWX 510/590-0765 > z n > a w z a c C/J H 70 *< a m n iŠ> CO 00 O THE NORTHWEST O X CD U u Q >-oc P c/3 D Q Z i < u z B: < Winter fertilization reduces occurrence of turf stress Winter fertilization of lawns can reduce the incidence of turf stress caused by excessive nitrogen ap-plications in the spring, according to Dr. Roy Goss, agronomist, West-ern Washington Research and Ex-
tension Center, Payallup, Wash. Goss, speaking at an Ornamen-tals Northwest Seminar in Seattle, 
said, "Normally, turfgrasses green up in the spring with increasing soil temperatures. Additional ni-
trogen may produce a stress 
through the growth of excessive leaves at the expense of the root system. "So instead of promoting ten-der, fast growth in the early spring 
which stresses the roots, I encour-age a slow drawdown of nutrients with applications of more fertilizer 
when the turf appears to need it." Winter fertilization. Tradition-ally, lawn care operators in the Northwest make their final fer-Dr. Roy Goss, agronomist, Western Washington Research and Experiment Center, Payallup, Wash., advocates winter fertilization to reduce the oc-currence of turf stress in the spring. Goss made his presentation at the recent Ornamentals Northwest Semi-nar in Seattle, Wash. tilizer application no later than August 15. However, Goss con-tends that the nitrogen is absorbed long before winter ends in this type of program. "It is very important to have root storage of nitrogen so the grass can 
grow during thaw periods," he 
said. "I believe that one applica-tion in the late fall or early winter will get nitrogen into the soil for early spring utilization. With winter fertilization, spring appli-cations can be delayed until the 
turfgrasses show the need." Goss recommends a winter fer-tilization program of at least one 
pound available nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of turf. "If there is a need for potassium and phos-phorus, a 3-1-2 NPK ration is suitable." The late fall or winter applica-tion is followed by a second 
application as late as June 1, and a 
third fertilization between August 15 and September 15. "A program such as the one described would result in a total nitrogen applica-tion of three to four pounds of available nitrogen per 1,000 
square feet for the year. "We are talking about a low maintenance program," he added. 
"Those of you dealing with more discriminating clients may have to apply at higher rates, but one to one-and-one-half pounds nitrogen will provide a good minimum program." Eight pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet produces the highest quality turf, while four pounds per 1,000 square feet is sufficient for a quality lawn, ac-cording to Goss. Leaching. Soil types often de-termine the success of a fertiliza-tion program. "The heavier the soil type, the better it will hold 
nutrients against leaching," Goss said. "Sandy soil can leach nut-rients quickly." That is one reason Goss recom-mends applying lower levels of nitrogen. "During the first 15 years of our research programs we rec-
ommended nitrogen levels up to 
eight pounds per 1,000 square feet, 
formulated in a 3-1-2 ratio with phosphorus and potassium. "Without a doubt, this produced lush green lawns," he added, "but there was also an element of waste involved through leaching of ni-trogen. Grass clippings. During these times of soaring fertilizer costs, Goss also recommends leaving grass clippings on turf. "When the clipping's yield for a lawn over an 
entire year is computed, the 
amount of nutrients removed from 
the soil ... is significant." In fact, one clipping's analysis has shown nutrient content to be as high as three to five percent nitrogen, two to three percent potassium and .25 to .5 percent 
phosphorus. To illustrate his point, Goss currently has two test plots receiv-ing the same care except for mow-ing practices. One is mowed with a mulching mower which incorpo-
rates the clippings into the turf, 
while the other is mowed by a 
rear-bagging unit which picks up the clippings. Not surprisingly, 
the plot with the mulched clip-pings is significantly greener, ac-cording to Goss. "Clipping removal ... is more of an aesthetic factor than any 
other reason," he said. "Lawns 
should be mowed a minimum of 
once per week and preferably twice during the fastest growing season. "Less tissue will be removed by more frequent mowing. There will also be less injury to the turfgrass plant and short clippings will filter into the lawn and not be too noticeable." Thatch accumulation. Oppo-nents of mulching argue that clip-
pings contribute to thatch de-velopment. Goss disagrees. "The effect of thatch development on the lawn is near zero," he said. "People commonly believe that thatch is caused by clippings, but it is the stems, crowns, leaf sheaths and roots that cause thatch. Clip-pings generally recycle within a year." Effect on turf diseases. Al-though there are a number of advantages to lower fertilizer rates, there are also several dis-advantages. "One of the best means of deal-ing with red thread and leaf rust diseases is applications of nitro-gen," Goss said. "Both of these diseases affect the leaves, and with an adequate growth rate the in-fected portions of the leaves are cut and new tissue, without infection, dominates." Therefore, if grass is growing very slowly, the effects of both red thread and leaf rust are accentuated. Excessive levels of nitrogen also stimulate greater infection from Fusarium nivale and Helmin-thosporium, according to Goss. "It would be wise, therefore, to adopt a medium nitrogen applica-
tion program," he said. "One that will stimulate adequate growth, but not trigger epidemics of those diseases that respond to higher nitrogen treatments." Goss added that potassium and sulfur are two of the most impor-tant elements in controlling turf-grass diseases. "Grasses well supplied with both potassium and sulfur have less disease, particu-larly Fusarium patch, red thread and Helminthosporium." Conclusions. High quality turf can be maintained with a maximum of five to six pounds available nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year, according to 
Goss. A moderate quality turf can be maintained at three pounds per 1,000 square feet per year. Further, soil tests can be employed to determine phosphorus and potas-sium needs of particular soils. "Judicious timing of fertilizer applications and maintaining only the rates that are required for normal growth will result in good quality lawns," Goss said. "Your daily management of mowing, 
watering, weed control, thatch control and possibly disease con-trol are the other important factors 
that go into quality turfgrasses." COST CUTTINGS Do you need electronic data processing? Lawn care businessmen unable to afford a computer of their own can still benefit from electronic data processing systems by investing in a service bureau. "The business of a service bureau is to process your data and produce the reports you require," John D. Caley, senior consultant, Laventhol, Krekstein, Horwath & Horwath, Phoenix, Ariz., said. "The types of services offered vary from city to city, and the number of service bureaus available also varies, depending on the size of the business population in the area." In a typical arrangement with a service bureau, Caley said, source documents like checks, sales slips and receipts are delivered by or mailed to the service bureau on an established 
schedule. The service bureau staff key punches the transactions onto cards or tapes to be used as input to the computer. The 
computer then processes the input and prints the reports according to the programs written earlier by the service bureau staff. Some lawn care businessmen use a service bureau for only one business function, while others may use it for a variety of 
reports. Could you benefit from working with a service bureau? Take the following test and find out. DO YOU NEED EDP? How many of these do Give yourself Your you have each month? these points points Number of checks written 10 points for each 100 Number of employees (in eluding salesmen) l point per employee Number of customers' ac-counts receivable 10 points for each 100 Number of invoices you prepare 10 points for each 100 Number of purchases or purchase orders 10 points for each 100 Number of different items you carry in inventory 10 points for each 1,000 Do you have very large items 
in inventory, such as trucks? ... 10 points if answer is yes Do you need help in keeping track of your inventory? 10 points if answer is yes Total points for your business If you fill in the blanks honestly and your total comes to 100 or more, you would probably benefit from using a service bureau, according to Caley. Even if your total is less than 100, you might be able to benefit. But no simple test such as this can make the decision for you. LAWN CULTIVARS Understanding the pros and cons of perennial ryegrasses In the last five years there has been a tremendous increase in the use of perennial ryegrass as breeding programs have provided new, medium textured, improved cul-tivars. These new varieties have greatly expanded the capability of the professional turfgrass man-ager, as they are being used more and more frequently on golf courses, athletic fields and home lawns. Speaking at the Ohio Turfgrass Conference, John R. Hall, III, ex-
tension specialist at VPI & SU, Blacksburg, Va. said it is extremely 
important for the professional turfgrass manager to be aware of the capabilities as well as the limitations of perennial rye-grasses. Dr. John R. Hall III is an extension specialist at VPI 8r SU in Blacksburg, Va. Some of the strengths of the perennial ryegrasses, according to Hall, include the fact that they are medium textured in blade width and blend well with Kentucky 
bluegrass, Hall said. 'They have 
exhibited good traffic bearing characteristics and show a strong recuperative potential especially during the cooler periods." Ryegrass may grow four to five weeks longer in the fall and green-up four to five weeks earlier in the spring than the Kentucky bluegrasses. This can be either an advantage or a disadvantage, Hall said. "In situations where the extended growing season is needed, it certainly is an advan-tage to have this extra growing period. However, in situations 
where this simply means eight to 10 more mowings a year, it cer-tainly is an added cost." The improved perennial rye-grasses appear to be able to survive at lower mowing heights than the Kentucky bluegrasses. In test plots at Blacksburg, Hall said perennial ryegrasses have been observed to survive for 18 months under Bentgrass putting green manage-
ment at 4/16 inch of mowing height. "This ability to withstand low mowing height would, of course, diminish as heat and dis-ease stress increased," Hall said. "The improved perennial rye-grasses have exhibited good short term drought color," Hall con-
tinued. "During the 20 to 40 day periods with limited water availa-bility, they have maintained good green color in situations where Kentucky bluegrass has gone dor-
mant. It is likely, however, that they have less ability to withstand a long-term drought, in that they lack rhizomes and the early warn-
ing dormancy capability of Ken-tucky bluegrass. "The new ryegrasses have been very popular on athletic fields where they appear to develop a stronger root-soil bond than Ken-tucky bluegrass. There has been less flaking and shearing of the turf at the thatch-soil interface in situa-
tions where the perennial rye-grasses have been overseeded into Kentucky bluegrass athletic fields." This characteristic, Hall said, has been an advantage to the lawn maintenance industry in that it has 
made possible the successful over-seeding of semi-thatchy areas. "In the past the limited seedling vigor of Kentucky bluegrass made it difficult, if not impossible to suc-cessfully introduce new turf var-
ieties into lawns where thatch depth exceeded one quarter of an inch." Hall said the new ryegrasses have been excellent for over-
seeding bermudagrass tees, fair-
ways and home lawns. "While their quick germination and desir-
able texture and color have pro-vided excellent winter quality, their ability to persist into the summer provides a smoother transition back to bermudagrass 
than has been possible with an-nual ryegrass." Some of the weaknesses of pe-rennial ryegrasses, which Hall said have been observed in the Virginia test plots, are disease susceptibil-ity, non-uniform upright growth habit, lack of mowing quality, 
slow lateral growth habit and a lack of seedling winter-hardiness. During hot weather, the peren-nial ryegrasses appear to be ex-tremely susceptible to pythium spp. and Rhizoctonia solani activ-ity. Hall mentioned unpublished data of Dr. H. B. Couch of Virginia Tech, which indicates that there is a range of varietal resistance to these disease organisms, but stated 
that as a group of grasses, the perennial ryegrasses appear to exhibit less resistance to these hot 
weather diseases in the field than 
the improved Kentucky blue-
grasses. Ryegrasses are also susceptible toHeiminthosporium sativum and Corticium fuciforme (Red Thread). Disease resistance is therefore a 
major concern in breeding pro-grams of improved perennial rye-
grasses. At this point, disease 
susceptibility is the major draw-back in the use of the improved perennial ryegrasses, according to Hall. Mowing quality is still consid-ered poor on the perennial rye-grasses, Hall added. "In early spring and late fall the ryegrasses exhibit 
rapid and relatively upright elon-
gation rates which necessitate more mowing in bluegrass-rye-A generalized comparison of the improved Kentucky bluegrasses and the improved perennial ryegrasses. Kentucky Perennial Characteristic bluegrass ryegrass Establishment rate poor excellent Heat tolerance fair poor Spring green-up fair good Shade tolerance fair-poor fair-poor Disease resistance fair poor Low mowing tolerance fair excellent Thatch buildup potential good ? Mowing quality good poor Short-term drought color poor good Long-term drought survival good fair Divot-healing potential good poor Root to soil bond fair good grass mixtures, than in straight bluegrass stands." Of the rye-grasses, Hall mentioned Citation 
and Diplomat as having the best season-long mowing quality. Hall mentioned another study conducted at the University of Maryland in the summer of 1975 that suggests that ryegrasses do not exhibit the lateral healing growth habit of the Kentucky bluegrasses. "In this study, cup-cutter size divots were removed 
and the soil replaced in such a manner as to allow normal healing 
of the divot. Fifty days after the cut 
had been made, the percent of the divot that was healed was rec-orded." In this study, Hall noted, 
the Kentucky bluegrasses exhi-
bited much better healing poten-tial than the perennial ryegrasses, with Merion bluegrass recorded at 
89 percent healed as compared to the NK-200 variety of ryegrass at TOOLS,TIPS & TECHNIQUES Reducing foaming during agitation One tablespoon of kerosene added to 100 gallons of solution will effectively reduce foaming in spray tanks during agitation, according to Jeff McKinney, regional agronomist for ChemLawn Corp., Columbus, Ohio. McKinney, speaking at the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Confer-ence, said, "There are many products you can put into a tank mixture that will decrease foaming, but we found plain old kerosene to be very effective." Excessive foaming is one characteristic of chemical incom-patibility, but it certainly isn't the only characteristic. Others include sludge formation, salting out and unstable mixtures. The first step in preventing incompatibility, according to McKinney, is to read product labels carefully. Secondly, lawn care operators should label all products clearly, particularly when buying in bulk. "I don't know how many times I have been called in on a situation where an applicator has filled his vehicle with the wrong products," McKinney said. "So please label these products very clearly and precisely." Yet another suggestion for preventing incompatibility con-cerns mixing products in the proper sequence. McKinney said if products are mixed out of sequence they may not go into solution correctly. Therefore, he suggested the following mixing sequence: Ł Add water and liquid fertilizer. Ł Start agitation. 
Ł Add wettable powders. Ł Add flowables. 
Ł Add water solubles. Ł Add emulsifiable concentrates. Regarding mixing flowable lime in tank formulations, McKinney said, "You have to keep in mind that lime has an extremely high pH, so you should think twice before mixing it with a pesticide. If not, you could run into some serious problems with degradation of the active ingredient." > z n > z a c C/5 H X only 13 percent. Since the perennial ryegrasses exhibit summer disease suscepti-bility in transition-zone climates, it is of major concern that they have shown a tendency to be extremely aggressive in certain situations when mixed with Ken-
tucky bluegrass, Hall said. "The degree of aggressiveness is depen-dent on several factors including what variety of ryegrass is mixed with what variety of bluegrass." However, Hall said, in studies seeded at Virginia Tech in April of 1972, containing 87.5 percent Merion Kentucky bluegrass and 12.5 percent Manhattan perennial ryegrass, (bluegrass: ryegrass seed 
ratio of 69 to 1) the ryegrass made 
up 58 percent of the ground cover 
by April of 1977. "While this does not appear to be a serious problem where rye-to page 13 a m n Š CD 0C O NEWSMAKERS (Left to right) Chin Chi Hsu, Honda Power Products planning and marketing manager, Elmer Barbettini, Eastside Gardeners Association president and Mike LeMarie, Honda Power Products sales representative discussed the design, development and manij/acture of Honda's general purpose engine at a recent meeting of the Eastside Gardeners Association. Stephen G. Stys has been ap-pointed sales manager by Rock-land Chemical Co., Inc., West Caldwell, N.J. He has spent the past 23 years selling pesticides to the lawn and garden industry, the last eight years as an area sales and 
marketing manager with Rock-land. He is a graudate of University College, Rutgers University, and is a member of the executive board of the Passaic County Board of 
Agriculture, and a member of the New Jersey Pesticide Association. Dennis A. Himschoot has been Talach named manager of contract pro-
duction for the Western Division of Oseco, Inc., Brampton, Ontario, Canada. The division is head-
quartered in Edmonton. He is a graduate in agriculture from the University of Alberta with a 
specialization in agronomy. He 
has worked in seed multiplication 
for Oseco since 1978. Also, the company has named Zeb Talach 
sales manager. He comes to Oseco 
from Pfizer C & G, Inc., where he held a number of management positions in their agricultural chemical and seed corn divisions. William Lee Stevenson has been named director of engineering for Ransomes, Inc., Johnson Creek, Wis. The company manufactures the Bob-Cat lines of lawn and turf equipment. In the past, he has functioned as project engineer in 
the design and development of tractor equipment and mowers. He has a degree in agricultural en-gineering from Iowa State Univer-sity and is a registered profes-
sional engineer. Randall M. Kersten, Jr. is owner of Randall M. Kersten, Jr. Land-scape Management Co., Anaheim, Calif. Jaime S. Torres is general 
superintendent. The company of-
fers mowing/maintenance and 
both liquid and granular chemical lawn care. W. S. Blunschi, Jr. is president of Lawn Control, Inc., Smyrna, Ga. The company offers liquid chemi-
cal lawn care. Norman Berman is president of Lawn Ranger, Inc., East Bruns-wick, N.J. Joel Levy is secretary/ treasurer. The company offers both liquid and granular chemical lawn care. Robert C. Lane and Randy L. Lane are co-owners of Pro-Lawn Liquid Lawn Care Co., Monticello, Ind. The company offers liquid 
chemical lawn care and tree and 
shrub care. Calvin Sanders is owner of Cal-vin Sanders Landscape Mainte-nance, Hillsboro, Ore. VaLynn Sanders is co-owner. The com-
pany offers mowing/maintenance and both liquid and granular chemical lawn care. Dean Squier is president of Techniturf, Inc., South Berlin, Mass. Alan Bebka is logistics man-ager and James Fothergill is ful-
fillment manager. The company 
offers both liquid and granular chemical lawn care. Juris P. Gutmanis is owner of Wisconsin Tree Service, Mil-waukee. The company offers mowing/maintenance and both liquid and granular chemical lawn care. Dr. Robert M. Barry, operations manager for R. W. Collins, Inc., a Florida-based company with chemical lawn care and household pest control divisions, has an-
nounced the promotions of Mike 
Steele to St. Petersburg, Fla. lawn 
service branch manager and Larry Gluck to Fort Myers, Fla. lawn service branch manager. Dr. Barry also announced that Robert Jacobs, a recent Auburn University 
graduate, has joined the company as pest control specialist in the Indian Harbour Beach, Fla. branch. C. W. McCormack is general manager Quality Pest Control, Ltd., Don Mills, Ontario, Canada. The company offers both lawn care and pest control services. Robert Snow is manager of Lawn Pro, Inc., Charlton, Mass. 
The company offers both lawn care and pest control services. Philip T. McCabe is president of Yard-Tech, Inc., Atlanta, Ga. Glenn Childs, manager of the California Distribution Center of Gravely, Inc., Clemmons, N.C. has announced a number of new 
Gravely tractor dealers: S & S Power Equipment Inc. has been appointed Gravely dealer for1 the Seattle, Wash. area. Jack Lewis 
is owner of the company. Gravely Sales & Service, for-merly Gravely-Oregon, has been appointed a dealer for the Port-land, Ore. area. Gordon Shanna-han is company owner. Motor Cultivator Co. has been named Gravely dealer for the Los 
Angeles area. Dan Nevitt is owner 
of the company. Toro Pacific Distributing, City of Industry, Calif, has been named 
Gravely dealer for the greater Los Angeles area. Co-owners of the 
company are Richard Danielson 
and Dennis Schmid. Fallbrook Tractor & Equipment Co. has been appointed Gravely dealer for the Fallbrook, Calif, area. Owner of the company is F. W. Jarnot. Bar-Hein Co. has been ap-pointed Gravely dealer for the 
Sacramento, Calif, area. Josephine Mysicka is owner and John Mysicka is general manager of the company. C. S. Johnson is president of Amcare Grounds Maintenance, Inc., Houston. H. S. Martinez is 
operations manager and J. D. Per-win is vice president. The com-pany offers mowing/maintenance and both liquid and granular chemical lawn care. James Comrada is president of Biome Complete Yard Care, Bain-bridge Island, Wash. The company offers mowing/maintenance, land-scape gardening and both liquid 
and granular chemical lawn care. Kenneth A. Balson is owner of Canadian Valley Lawn Services, El Reno, Okla. The company offers 
mowing/maintenance and granu-lar applications of fertilizers and 
pesticides. Warren E. Jackson is president of Chemat-Phy Research, Inc., Port Arthur, Texas. The company offers both liquid and granular applica-
tion of chemicals, and also does tree work. David Schodde is president of Enumclaw Landscape Mainte-
nance, Inc., Enumclaw, Wash. The company offers mowing/mainte-nance and granular application of chemicals. Bert Braman is president of Fox Valley Professional Lawn Care, Inc., Neenah, Wis. Alan Nees is branch manager, Karen Braman is 
secretary/treasurer, and Brad Eastman is vice president. The 
company offers liquid chemical lawn care, and is a ChemLawn Corp. franchise. ChemLawn is based in Columbus, Ohio. Donald W. Metzger is president of Saginaw Valley Lawn Care, Flint, Mich. William J. Sprague is secretary/treasurer and David J. Richvalsky is supervisor. The company offers liquid chemical lawn care and hydroseeding. GRASS DOES NOT LIVE BY NITROGEN ALONE! OR PHOSPHATE OR POTASH Yes, it takes a balance of all nutrients to grow good turf. Country Club products provide total nutrient feeding. Look to Country Club for all your fertilizer and combination fertilizer-pesticide products. You can rely on Country Club turf products for satisfaction and results. For more information, call 1-800-637-2101 (217-446-0983 in Illinois) LEBANON CHEMICAL CORPORATION P.O. Box 647 Danville, IL 61832 P.O. Box 180 Lebanon, PA 17042 Stevenson 'ADALAYD' AND "FUTURF New warm-season turfgrasses score well in California tests Two new warm-season turf-grassesŠ'Adalayd' and 'FuturfŠ show good potential for use in Southern California landscapes, according to studies conducted by University of California resear-chers. Although neither variety is likely to replace currently popular warm-season turfgrasses, both possess characteristics that war-rant their inclusion in listings of turfgrasses suitable for southern California conditions and turf management practices. Establishment. Tuturf' and 'Adalayd' are both selections of Paspalum vaginatum that were found in Australia during the 1970's. Paspalum vaginatum, na-tive to tropical and subtropical 
America, is primarily used in the United States, South Africa, Au-stralia and New Zealand as a 
salt-tolerant turf. Paspalum vaginatum spreads mainly by thick stolens and to a lesser degree by dense networks of smaller rhizomes. It is unable to 
withstand long periods of sub-freezing temperatures. Studies of the two new warm-season turfgrasses were conducted at the University of California 
South Coast Field Station near 
Santa Ana, Calif. Observation plots were established in October 1976. Tuturf' and 'Adalayd,' along with 'Santa Ana' hybrid bermuda-grass were stolonized in separate 12- by 40-foot plots at the rate of three bushels per 1,000 square feet. Five pounds of ammonium phos-phate per 1,000 square feet were incorporated into the top two inches of soil in each plot and a 
light topdressing of soil was spread over the stolons before they 
were pressed into the soil with a planting roller. The plots were kept uniformly moist by sprinkler irrigation and 
fertilized monthly with am-monium sulfate (one pound of 
actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet) until the grasses completely 
covered their individual plots. Although the two Paspalum varieties showed quicker greening after planting, the 'Santa Ana' hybrid bermudagrass covered its 
designated plot area sooner. Over-all, it took four months for full establishment of 'Santa Ana' and 
almost five months for the Pas-palum varieties. However, if planted in the spring or summer, properly maintained Paspalum plantings 
could be expected to become fully 
established within two or three months. Treatments. Among the objec-tives of the research was to deter-mine whether Tuturf' and 'Adalayd' were better suited to low 
or high mowing, and to establish the amount of nitrogen fertilizer required to maintain a quality turf. Reel type mowers were used in the research with V2 and IV2 inch mowing heights. Clippings were removed from the plots at the time of the mowing. Annual nitrogen treatments to-taled two, four, six and eight pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 
square feet. Table 1 shows the fertilizer application schedule for each of the four rates used in the study. Each application was made at a rate of one pound of actual nitrogen using ammonium sulfate. Treatments were started in Feb-ruary 1977. Measurements. Regular monthly turf quality evaluations began in 
August 1977. A zero to 10 rating system was used with zero repre-senting totally dead turf; one to three, unacceptable and unrecov-erable turf; four to six, unaccepta-ble but recoverable turf with pro-per maintenance; and seven to ten, acceptable turf quality. The scores were the average of at least two observers' monthly ratings. Results: Overall turf quality scores during the first 15 months 
of the study showed the three grasses under study produced ac-ceptable turf. As indicated in Table 2, mowing height did not affect turf quality during the first 15 months of the 
study. Further, reports from Au-
stralia indicate P. vaginatum per-forms well at cutting heights as low as one-quarter inch. The research also showed that nitrogen fertilization enhanced the turf quality of all three grasses (Table 3). However, the two pound nitrogen treatment resulted in sig-
nificantly lower turf quality scores for all grasses than the higher rate 
treatments. A suitable yearly nitrogen fer-Table 2. Mean turf quality scores for 15 months for three grasses mowed at Vi-and \lU inch cutting heights Quality at following cutting heights* Grass High Low 'Adalayd* 'Futurf' 
'Santa Ana' 6.4 6.6 6.6 6.4 6.5 6.5 *0 to 10 rating scale: 10 = best quality Table 1. Schedule of nitrogen applications, by month Schedule at following nitrogen rates 2 4 6 8 February March March March May May May May June June August August September September September September November November November December Dr. Victor A. Gibeault is one of four University of California researchers who studied 'Adalayd' and 'Futurf' warm-season turfgrasses. tilizer rate appears to fall within the four to six pound range. Re-sults from the study indicate the need to look more closely at the timing of nitrogen applications, because the higher (six to eight pound) rates included fertilizer applications during the summer 
on the plots most troubled by 
scalping injury in late summer. The study also indicated that seed head production was mar-
kedly reduced during the evalua-tion period at the higher nitrogen levels. Visual observations indi-cated that the Paspalum varieties were less prone to unsightly seed head production when regularly mowed than was the 'Santa Ana' hybrid bermudagrass. Further, the research indicated scalping injury rose in the grasses as the nitrogen fertility rate in-
creased. Particularly noticeable was the tendency of Paspalum varieties to show more scalping injury when subjected to summer 
nitrogen fertilization (six to eight pounds per year). Results from the study strongly indicate that timing nitrogen applications to avoid summer growth can greatly reduce 
scalping during summer. Thatch production. Paspalum varieties produced approximately 30 percent less thatch than the 'Santa Ana' hybrid bermudagrass. This finding indicates that the Paspalum varieties require less to page 23 Table 3. Mean turf quality scores for 15 months for grasses treated with four nitrogen fertility levels Quality at following nitrogen rates (lb N/1,000 sq ft/yr) Grass 2 4 6 8 'Adalayd' 6.0a 6.3b 6.5c 6.9d 'Futurf' 5.6k 6.5e 7.0m 7.1m 'Santa Ana' 6.1x 6.5y 6.8z 6.9z k0 to 10 rating scale: 10 = best quality. MONEYWISE Changes proposed for Subchapter S corps. Small corporations such as lawn care companies should gain from changes proposed for Subchapter S corporations. Private concerns electing c overage by that tax-code section keep corporate form, but get taxed like partnerships: Taxes 
apply mainly at the shareholder, not the corporate level. Now 
the staff Congress' Joint Taxation Committee has proposed simplifying the complex law to widen its use and remove "tax traps" and "unintended benefits." A spokesman for the Committee said: "There's too much gamesmanship in it now, we want to make it work in a reasonable way." The long-pending plan reflects ideas from tax accountants and lawyers and the Treasury. The proposals include raising and permitting number of holders to 25 from 15 and removing 
the eligibility limit on passive investment income. Others would liberalize rules on passing through income to holders for tax 
purposes, carrying forward losses, and making distribution to holders. The changes probably won't come this year because of the limiting time remaining for Congress. Subchapter S companies don't pay corporate income tax; the shareholders are taxed as if they were partners. Stockholders can also apply losses from business operations to personal income, as in partnerships. The recommendations would also end the right of new shareholders .to terminate a company's Subchapter S status. Lawn care businessman's guide to labor problems MARKETING IDEA FILE Lawnmark sweeps customers off their feet Marty Erbaugh, president of Lawnmark Associates, Peninsula, Ohio, is constantly searching for new ways to improve his company's winter cash flow through ad-on services, and two years ago he came up with one of the all-time winnersŠchimney sweeping. "It's a small component of our sales compared to the lawn care business," Erbaugh said, "but it increases our contact with lawn care customers throughout the year." Called 'Mr. Sweep,' Lawnmark's chimney sweeping service is currently available in four citiesŠCleveland, Akron, Milwaukee and Rochester. Because peak season for chimney sweeping is late fall and early winter, the service is well suited for the lawn care industry, according to Erbaugh. "We had been looking for a service we could provide to lawn care customers for which the demand peaked at the opposite time of the year," he said, "and we came across chimney 
sweeping. We actually start doing it in August and September, but the demand peaks in October, November and December." A second advantage is both services utilize the same customer baseŠupper middle class suburban families earning between $20,000 and $30,000 annually. "The chimney sweeping market is identical to the lawn care market," Erbaugh said. "The only difference is chimney sweeping is a safety sale, while lawn care is an aesthetic sale. "Our primary source of work still comes from lawn care clients," he added, "but we're starting to get a lot more inquiries from non-lawn care customers as the service becomes more popular." "Often times the same guys that are involved in lawn care are involved in chimney sweeping," he added, "and they seem to 
enjoy it. They wear top hats and tails and I know the customers get a kick out of it." Cost of the service is about $45 per cleaning, although the price varies from job to job. During peak season, the average sweeper cleans four to six chimneys per day and 20 to 30 
chimneys per week. "For every fully productive unit out there we can average about $1,000 a week in billings," Erbaugh said. And that has to help the winter cash flow. by Richard I. Lehr, attorney The increasing prominence of the lawn care industry in American business will no doubt lead to labor problems which were 
perhaps unforeseen when the typ-ical lawn care employer sprayed 
his first lawn. New and prospering industries, such as the lawn care industry, 
regularly attract unions which 
seek new sources of revenue. When the lawn care employer reaches the magic number of 15 employes, he then should be con-
cerned about his equal employ-ment obligations. Wage and hour matters are com-plicated in the lawn care industry, as the typical lawn care business-man tries to work through the myriad exemptions and require-ments for paying his employes properly. Finally, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) are work-
ing as a tag team to focus on the 
invisible hazards in the work-place, such as the insecticides and other pesticides sprayed by lawn 
care companies. A sensible approach for reduc-ing the possibility of labor prob-lems that could affect lawn care employers' profitability and peace of mind is to know the new developments in the labor law area 
and respond to these develop-ments by taking the necessary steps to avoid labor conflicts. This issue marks the initial publication of a monthly column concentrating on labor relations matters that affect lawn care businessmen. Though the subjects discussed will vary according to recent legis-lative, administrative and judicial developments, I hope to include 
new developments in the unioni-zation, equal employment, occu-pational safety and health and 
wage and hour areas. Besides informing lawn care businessmen about new labor relations trends 
and developments, labor ques-tions from lawn care employers will be answered in this column. UNIONIZATION Discharge of supervisor for union activity. The National Labor Relations Act does not protect supervisors from discharge or dis-
cipline for participating in union 
or concerted activity. The 
employer has the privilege to discourage such activity among 
his supervisors, and may dis-
charge a supervisor who is not loyal to the management objective of avoiding or defeating union 
activities. The employer does not have the same perogative with 
non-supervisory employes; dis-charging those individuals for union activity is generally illegal and may result in reinstatement 
and back pay for the discharged employes. In the recent case of DRW Corp., the National Labor Relations Board held that an employer un-
lawfully terminated a supervisor 
who engaged in union organizing activities among the employer's employes. The supervisor had played a significant role in the union organizational campaign by hosting union meetings in his home and passing out union au-thorization cards. While noting that the employer has the privilege to terminate supervisors for union activity, the Board distinguished this case from that general rule because the employer terminated a non-supervisory employe at the same time he terminated the supervisor, and publicized the fact that both 
employes were terminated be-cause of their union activities. The practical significance of the case is that the employers may still 
terminate supervisors for their union activities, but employers 
should not publicize the termina-tion in a way which would imply to non-supervisory employes that they could also be terminated for union activities. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT The Equal Employment Oppor-tunity Commission suggests al-
ternatives to laying off employes. Lawn care businessmen may be laying off employes as the end of the lawn care season approaches, or in response to a poor economic 
climate nationally. The Equal Employment Oppor-tunity Commission (EEOC) has 
suggested alternatives to the per-missible practice of "last hired, first fired." The Commission has 
found that laying off according to seniority generally means that many of the last hired individuals who were female or black are the first to be laid off. The Commission encourages employers to consider work-
sharing programs, such as reduced hours and schedule flexibility for all employes, so the economic burden is shared equally and no employe loses his job. To promote 
this flexibility, a federal bill has 
been introduced which would en-
courage state unemployment compensation to cover shortened employe work weeks, so while no 
employes would be laid off, all employes would be eligible for 
unemployment benefits to com-pensate them for their reduced 
hours. The EEOC suggestions are not legally binding; they are merely 
recommendations for alternatives 
to the traditional method of laying off according to seniority. The lawn care businessman who must 
lay off employes could do so by following the EEOC suggestions, seniority, or some system distin-LIQUID or GRANULAR? Finn LawnFeeder® Handles Both. Centrifugal Pump Mechanical Agitation Variable Speed Hydraulic Drive All Steel Construction 800 and 1200 Gallon Models Vee, Flood and Hollow Cone Nozzle Patterns Liquid and Granular Products Applied in Slurry Form (Ft) EQUIPMENT COMPANY 2525 DUCK CREEK RD. Ł CINCINNATI, OHIO 45208 TOLL FREE 800-543-7166 Ł OHIO COLLECT 513-871-2529 guishing employees according to merit, such as productivity. The latter system is the most difficult and time-consuming; the seniority system approach has been upheld by the courts as a permissable method for basing lay off deci-sions, even though it may have a disproportionate impact on newly hired women or minorities. Increase in age discrimination suits. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act prohibits dis-crimination on the basis of age against individuals between ages 40 and 70. Age is the fastest growing equal employment area, 
exceeding sex and race. It is anticipated that the number of age discrimination cases brought this year will double last year's total. The squeeze of inflation, better health of old people and the social interchange and mental stimula-tion provided by work are prompt-ing older workers to forego early retirement and stay on the job longer. Older employes are bring-
ing age discrimination suits in situations where employers show a preference for younger, less 
experienced employes. Lawn care businessmen should continue to document employment decisions. If an older employe alleges that the employer discriminated against him because of age, the employer then can explain the non-discriminatory reasons for the way the older employe was treated. The prolonged productivity of older workers and age discrimina-tion prohibitions are slowly bring-ing age neutrality into critical personnel policies, such as hiring, separation, paying benefits, per-
formance appraisal, career coun-
seling and training and develop-ment. Equal pay award against the federal government. As an exam-ple of failing to "practice what you 
preach," the federal government 
has been ordered to pay approxi-
mately $16 million to 324 women 
who charged that the Government 
Printing Office discriminated 
against them in violation of Title 
VII of the 1964 Rights Act and Equal Pay Act. The 324 women 
who sued performed jobs which were essentially the same as those 
performed by men who were paid 70 percent more than the women were paid. WAGE AND HOUR Employe wage deduction rule. Internal employe theft of equip-ment and money increases during economically difficult times. Employers who deduct the money or the value of equipment from employes' wages are in violation of the law if those deductions 
bring the employe's average hourly wage rate below the current minimum of $3.10 per hour (which will rise to $3.35 per hour January 1). These situations of illegal deductions most frequently occur in service industries, such as the lawn care industry, where employes either handle financial 
transactions or have independent access to equipment and supplies. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH Nitrofin pesticides recalled in response to applicator risks. The Rohm & Haas Co., according to the EPA, accepted cancellation of its registrations for herbicide TK (nit-rofin) until the company develops 
application procedures which satisfactorily provide for the safety 
of the applicators. The company agreed to cancel the registration of its pesticides when the company was unable to engineer applicator exposure controls which were ac-
ceptable to federal and state reg-ulators. While on the subject of applicator exposure controls, care-less work practices in California in the handling and application of the herbicide 2,4-D are suspected as the cause of severe nervous disorders in seven people in California. According to the 
California hazard alert system, the 
affects of 2,4-D exposure on hu-mans include nausea, numbness and sometimes paralysis, but typi-cally occur only after heavy expo-
sure. While there will be further 
research by the California Depart-ment of Occupational Safety and Health on 2,4-D's carcinogenity, it is believed that poor work prac-tices in the handling and applica-tion of the herbicide caused the nervous disorders listed above. House bill passes requiring flex-ibility in rules for small busines-ses. On September 9, the House 
approved a bill (S. 299) which would require the OSH A and other 
federal agencies, when conduct-ing rule-making proceedings, to analyze the potential impact of the proposed rule on small businesses. Known as the "Regulatory Flex-ibility Act," the bill proposes to command regulatory agencies to 
recognize the impact of their rules on smaller businesses. Every fed-
eral agency would be required to publish a semi-annual regulatory flexibility agenda detailing those rules that it anticipates promulgat-ing which can be expected to have a significant economic impact on smaller businesses. The bill would also require the agencies to give notice to smaller businesses about 
potential rules which would affect them economically, so the smaller businesses could reply and seek modifications before the rules be-
come effective. Jacobsen sponsors turf seminar College students receive first-hand experience on using turf mainte-nance equipment during field day exercises at a recent turf seminar sponsored by Jacobsen Division of Textron Inc., Racine, Wis. Attending the annual school were 47 students studying turf care and related subjects from throughout the United States and Canada. Tony Grygera (seated), product manager, Turf Products, explains operational controls on the company's 'Turf King' riding reel mower. The seminar covers training on hydraulics, engines, mowers, mowing units and turf tractors through demonstration and student operation. Established in 1967, Jacobsen's seminar is the first and only company-sponsored program of its kind in the industry, according to Jacobsen. Further, the company has been active in field and factory training for 25 years, and has trained more than 10,000 distributor and customer personnel. Fine Fescue What is it? You will find it in virtually every bluegrass seed mix. You will find it on most golf course fairways and tees. 12 LANDSCAPING o ao a> U _ Q Improving lawns in shade >< & H C/3 D Q Z £ < u z £ < Establishing and maintaining a healthy turf in heavily shaded areas has long posed problems for landscapers and those involved with lawn maintenance. Tree roots compete with turf for moisture, nutrients, light and space, the net effect being that the grass suffers. There are steps that can be taken, however, to help insure a dense, green turf even in shady areas, according to Dr. William H. Daniel, extension agronomist at 
Purdue University. Alter the situation. The first question to ask yourself is "Will the tree really be missed if you were to remove it?" Is there another tree nearby that can pro-vide the same view and shade? If you decide that the tree is needed, says Daniel, a possible suggestion is to thin out the inside, smaller limbs. Keeping the basic shape of the tree, open the inside up as much as possible to increase the 
amount of light and air coming 
through the limbs to the grass. Increased air passage is healthy for the turf, so consider thinning and pruning shrubs, or even re-placing existing shrubs with dwarf types or better selections. Another suggestion is to vertically cut and weaken the competing tree roots with a sharp shovel, letting the tree depend on its deeper roots for 
nutrition. Treat the soil. Spread an inch of loose peat and a double rate of turf-type slow release fertilizer. 
Then till and loosen the soil as deeply as practical (two to five inches). After using a shovel or Increased air circulation is healthy for turf, so consider thinning and pruning shrubs, or even replacing existing shrubs with dwarf varieties. Another suggestion is to vertically cut and weaken the competing tree roots with a sharp shovel letting the tree depend on its deeper roots for nutrition. rototiller to remove broken and loosened roots, regrade and seed or sod, as desired. This treatment reduces root competition and in-creases water storage capacity. Sodding. Although not always the perfect answer, says Daniel, you may want to consider "instant 
turf." Sod allows leeway in timing and competition for space and also permits immediate access to the area. Seeding. Of the red fescues, the Wintergreen, Ruby, Oasis and Pennlawn varieties are newer and preferred, says Daniel. Normally, Singlehanded, you can whip fuel and labor costs with EXCEL HUSTLER pure motion at your fingertips. P G3 HUSTLER J To groundskeeping pros, EXCEL HUSTLER means MowerŠand MereŠevery season. Two hydrostatic pumps transmit direct to drive wheels instantly in response to fingertip touch on twin hand levers. Dual pumps work only half as hard, last matiy seasons longer for added value and less downtime. Byt there's More: Instant pure motion moves the big mowers easily around trees, park benches, markers, arfd other mowing headaches. EX&EL HUSTLER owners mow More acres per hour. More grass per gallon, More years per mower! The Mower delivers a super cut on fine turf or rough. Choose air-cooled 275 or 285; liquid cooled 29& Standard or heavy duty 72" rotary, rotary, or 60" flail. More turf and grounds attachments: Cultivator, Catcher/Compactor, Edger, Dozer Blade, Rotary Broom, amazingly efficient Snow Thrower. -Add ROPS; enclose cab for winter comfort; Tilt-Deck Trailer for transporting. And More! Factory trained service and parts through your EXCEL HUSTLER Distributor. Write or call for his name and free literature, or watch for a field demo. GSA: GS-07S-04916 HUD: OPH (C0)m-2930 Mower and More, the choice of the pros. EXCEL rasa Turf & Grounds Equipment Excel Industries, Inc. Ł Box 727 Ł Hesston, Kansas 67062 Ł (316) 327-4911 Ł (800) 835-3260 red fescues tolerate shade, low nutrition and neglect better than bluegrasses. They respond well to fall fertilizing, high mowing and some watering and care. The newer bluegrasses have im-proved disease tolerance and lower growth habit, which makes them more valuable. Glade, Nugget, Bristol, Bensun (A-34) are 
some of the better shade tolerant bluegrasses. Numerous new turf-type perennial ryegrasses are in-creasingly available, including Manhattan, Pennfine, Derby, Cita-tion and Loretta. Other grasses, although less at-tractive alternatives, may provide 
the answer to the shade problem. Creeping bentgrass will tolerate shade, medium cutting height and 
watering. It may be disease suscep-tible and require some dethatch-ing, but can be considered as a last resort. Removing broken roots reduces competi-tion and increases the water storage capacity of turf. In Indiana and other areas of the Midwest, tall fescue seeded thinly and replanted is an attractive op-
tion, since it is disease and drought tolerant. Use five pounds of seed for each 1,000 square feet and overseed annually as needed. Nimblewill is a perennial spreading stolon grass which in-fests Midwestern lawns and toler-ates shade as well as bentgrass. Although it turns brown with frost, new growth is started from nodes in the spring. Poa annua is a profuse, seed producing, weedy grass which does well in shade, in wet loca-tions and cool areas. No seed is sold, but spreading clippings 
favors seeding where desired. Poa trivialis is often sold in mixtures 
for wet, shady areas. Moss is favored by shade and may do well where turf fails. Where moss does well, it can be 
increased by shredding or press-ing small chips onto soil at inter-vals and topdressing with more soil. Early spring is the best time for spreading. Consider alternatives. Daniel recommends trying a number of landscaping alternatives to grass, such as using a type of ground cover near trees like Baltic, Ivy, Myrtle, Ajuga, Purple leaf, Winter creeper or pachysandra. Around shrubs, use bark or crushed stone mulch for effect and 
to reduce turf needs. Also consider spreading a layer of pea gravel over soil, creating patio-type areas, 
or bedding low shrubs and shade-tolerant annuals for color and contrast. MTD Product Line MTD Products, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, recently introduced its 1981 line of outdoor power equipment at the company's annual sales meeting. (Above) Sales Manager Adam Schumacher and Chief En-gineer Gunter Plamper discuss features of Lawnflite tractors to a group of sales representatives. (Left) Sales Representative Woody Warren, of F. F. Tranchina Co., operates the Model 211-386 tractor/tiller with optional V-bar frame, depth gauge wheels and hiller-furrower on the rear and tractor-tread tires on the front. Pamper the turf. Should you decide that turf is the answer to your landscaping needs, there are steps that can be taken to help the lawn along. For instance, mowing higher, skipping a mowing under 
trees and keeping leaves raked all favor grass. When watering, double the rate for both turf and tree, Daniel recommends. An hour per setting 
with ample overlap is suggested. On banks and slopes, making 
holes and aerifying will help get more water into the soil. Soaker 
hoses and split applications can also improve results. Fertilize liberally to insure that there is an ample supply of nut-rients available to the grass. Feed the lawn a medium amount based on its disease tolerance and mow-ing survival. If the lawn is well fed 
regularly (2-4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet yearly) that is sufficient, but if the turf still looks lean, double feed under trees to force growth. New systemic, long-lasting fun-gicides can reduce powdery mil-dew and stripe smut as well as leafspot, if these diseases persist in spite of good cultural practices. Improve turf stand. If there is some grass, good soil and contour, and a sufficient amount of lawn worth saving, the following im-
provement program may be of help under trees. Ł Spread seed in mid-August. Start early. Ł Spread some peat, compost, sand or clippings. Ł Spike, slice, cut, punch; make openings to aerate soil. Ł Hand-water to start germina-tion. Ł Water lightly and oftenŠ every sunny day. Ł As seed germinates, fertilize lightly. Ł Next month fertilize again to force growth. Ł Mow high and as soon as needed. RYEGRASSES/mm page 7 grass is not exposed to hot weather disease, it could be serious in areas where high temperatures and ex-
cess humidity are present. This 
aggressiveness would signifi-cantly increase the probability of losing the ryegrass-dominated turf to summer disease." "In areas where summer disease pressure is heavy, the perennial ryegrasses are going to be ex-
tremely limited in their ability to provide quality turfgrass over an entire growing season," Hall said. 
At this point in time, the improved perennial ryegrasses are not, in my opinion, capable of providing the level of season-long quality we associate with a good Kentucky bluegrass mixture." Hall suggested that the peren-nial ryegrasses should be used primarily as a support or specialty grass in areas where summer dis-ease potential is high. In these areas, they should be utilized with 
the realization that they will re-quire a fungicide program and may require annual reseeding to thicken the turf, Hall said. "When one compares Kentucky bluegrasses as a group of grasses with perennial ryegrasses as a 
group of grasses (see table), it is 
obvious that the perennial rye-
grasses have provided us with improvements in establishment rate, spring green-up, low-mowing tolerance, short term drought color and better root-soil bond. They have made a signifi-cant contribution to our ability to reproduce quality turf in the climatic transition zone. Perennial ryegrasses should be used as a support or specialty grass. "Hopefully, the breeding pro-grams underway at several univer-
sities and companies will provide us with stronger perennial rye-grasses to use in our attempts to produce quality turf. Be prudent in your use of the improved peren-nial ryegrasses, realizing their strengths and weaknesses. > z n > s 2 a c CO H pa a M n (D 00 o Monsanto Cleaning up a weedy fairway doesn't have to be a slow, messy job for youŠor a hardship for your golfers. Roundup* herbicide helps make renovation fast and efficientŠas Grounds Superintendent Dave Portz discovered last year. "If we had chosen to plow the course under, we wouldVe had to close it',' Dave says. Instead, he applied Roundup on 14 weedy fairways, and reopened the course the same day. While Roundup worked, the members played over the dying turf, with no problems. The membersŠand DaveŠliked that. They were glad, too, that Roundup won't wash, leach or volatilize to injure desirable plants along the fairway. Dave simply took precautions against spray drift. This year, reach for Roundup to control many tough weeds. It can make turf renovation fast and efficient for youŠand leave a lot more playing time for your golfers. For literature, call 1-800-621-5800, or in Illinois, 1-800-972-5858. ALWAYS READ AMD FOLLOW LABEL FOR ROUNDUP. RI-801 ID Roundup* is a registered trademark of Monsanto Co. <D Monsanto Company 1980 There's never been a herbicide like this before. When Dave Portz renovated 14 fairways with Roundup, the members played the same day he sprayed. O 00 05 U w Q nside the industry >* oc H cfl D Q Z i < u z £ < Lawn care operators to raise prices in 1981, but is ten percent enough? by Dan MoreJand Associate Editor When you ask lawn care businessmen if they are going to raise prices in 1981, they laugh. Whether you're talking to them on the phone or standing directly in front of them, without exception, 
they all laugh. And it's not an embarrassed kind of laugh characteristic of girl scouts and muffler installers who know they are charging too much for their products, but more of a resigned chuckle, devoid of re-morse for the customer. Now, this type of response is something that could give a fledgling editor a complex. After all, one is not at all accustomed to being snickered at for posing a perfectly legitimate question. Perhaps a run through the 'Rolodex* file will produce a 
serious-minded individual with a track record of success who will provide a legitimate answer. Here we goŠTom Brune, Atwood Lawn 
Spray, Sterling Heights, Mich.Š phone number 9. .3. .9 Š 3. .6 . . 3 . . 6. "Tell me Mr. Brune, do you plan on raising prices in 1981?" After climbing back into his chair and regaining his composure, Brune said there is no question he is 
going to raise prices in the coming year. It's just a matter of how 
much. Is ten percent enough? "I don't see how anybody can get by on 
raising prices only ten percent a year," Brune said. Atwood raised its prices about 12 percent in 1980 and the company still experienced difficulty in absorbing ever-escalating operating costs. "Knowing that our costs were going to be increased this year, we 
raised our prices," Brune said, 
"but the increase really didn't get it." And it's the same story this year. Brune, like most lawn care businessmen, is paying more for everything from insecticides to fungicides. On the average, the cost of turf-related products has in-creased about 20 percent, accord-
ing to Brune. "Fertilizers are a 
good example," he said. "What we paid $3,000 for last year, we paid 
$4,000 for this year. "I would think if you're able to deal on anything for a 20 percent 
increase, you're doing all right," he added. Keeping prices down. Although Turf Doctor, Inc., Framingham, Mass., has not yet announced its 1981 prices, owner John Kenney said he is doing everything he can to keep prices down. "It's my opinion that there are an awful lot of lawn care operators running around saying something is going to go up ten percent, so why don't we raise our prices and stay ahead of the game. "Others absorb as many price pound it might have meant $50 for the whole year. "Now, a two cents a pound increase means a lot of dollar bills. Therefore, I think as we get larger, 
we are less likely to absorb the impact of a price increase from the 
manufacturer." Materials costs. Increased mate-rial costs aren't only affecting lawn "Our (company's) philosophy is you better keep pace with price increases because it's too difficult to get it all back in one chunk from the customer if you get behind one year. You have got to keep pace. If you don't, you're going to suffer. Š Goraon Ober, general manager, Davey Lawnscape, Kent, Ohio. increases as they possibly can and don't raise prices until they are forced to because they are afraid of losing customers." What is Turf Doctor's philosophy? "I'd like to say that 
we have a real hard line concern-ing increasing prices and that we prosper terrifically from that hard 
line," Kenney said, "but I'm not going to say that, because we don't." Kenney attributes his com-pany's pending price hikes to increased material costs. "Raw material prices have a much greater impact on us as we become a larger company," he said. "A couple of years ago if someone 
raised their prices two cents a care oprators. Landscapers are also suffering. Larry Shelton, owner of Classic Landscapes, Raleigh, N.C., 
said mulch prices have increased 
from $1.75 a bail to $2.50 in the past 12 months. That is a substan-tial increase when you're pur-
chasing 4,000 to 5,000 bails annu-ally. Further, grass seed and fertilizer prices have increased. "Grass seed in 1979 was about 29 to 31 cents a pound," Shelton said, "and now it 
has gone up to 36 to 41 cents a 
pound. "Fertilizer prices have also gone up five to six percent, but that 
hasn't affected us too much be-
cause we've been able to buy in 
larger quantities as our acreage has increased," Shelton said. "Now we buy in ten ton lots so we get a price break." How far can you go? Deborah Crawford, co-owner of Pennturf Lawn Care, Clinton, Pa., is con-cerned about keeping her com-pany's price increases at the ten 
percent level. "Last year our prices went up ten percent and it seemed pretty easy for people to swallow," she said, "but I just got my new prices from our supplier and the in-creases are so incredibly large that 
I don't think I'll be able to keep our increases down to ten percent." Crawford, like many lawn care operators, is concerned that cus-tomers will not accept more than a 
ten percent annual price increase. During the past decade, the cost of lawn care services have ad-vanced at a five to ten percent annual rate. However, since 1978 
prices have skyrocketed as petroleum-based turf care prod-ucts have increased in cost. As prices continue to escalate, the obvious question is how many price increases can the market bear? "It really is a valid question lawn care businessmen are going to have to start asking them-selves," Brune said. "How much 
can you increase prices until the 
customer gets totally turned off 
and walks away from the service." Brune paused several seconds and said, "I really don't know." Crawford said lawn care may already have become too expen-sive for some lawn care customers. 
"Lawn care used to be quite a bargain, but I don't know how many price increases the lawn care customer is willing to swallow," 
she said. "However, I do think it's getting to the point where lawn care is a little bit too expensive for some people." Shift in customer attitudes. Brune already perceives a shift in customer attitudes, particularly in the Detroit metropolitan area where unemployment has reached 25 percent in the past year. Brune's company, Atwood Lawn Spray, is located in Sterling Heights, Mich., just eight miles outside of Detroit. "We're in an area of extremely high unemployment," he said, "so 
customers are reluctant to spend money on lawn care." Brune said this general reluc-tance on the part of the consumer to spend money is reflected in many areas of business including > £ z n > the lawn care industry. "People have been burned by the economy in the past and they're not going to forget that very quickly," he said. "We already see a bit of an upturn in automobile production and yet 
there is a certain amount of con-
sumer reluctance in the dealer-
ships. That consumer reluctance is 
also going to be reflected in our business in the 1981 season." Even if the unemployment situ-ation improves in the near future, Brune is not optimistic. He is concerned that consumers will put off purchasing a lawn service until they are sure the economy has 
fully recovered. "The lawn care operator lives off discretionary income," Brune said, "and I think a good deal of the consumer's discretionary income is going to be put away in the next several months. This further delays the benefit to the lawn care industry. "And even if there is a sudden and positive upturn in the economic circumstances of this country it's not going to be enough to do us any good at the beginning of the 1981 season," he added. "It's too short a period of time and there 
are too many heavy expense items in thereŠlike Christmas for exam-ple." Because of this reluctance on the part of the consumer to spend money, Brune said he will be pleased if his company merely retains its current customer base. "We have approximately 3,000 accounts," he said, "and I will be very happy if we maintain our current enrollment." Others see growth in accounts. Surprisingly, other industry rep-resentatives predict substantial 
growth in 1981. Davey Lawnscape, Kent, Ohio, predicts a 30 percent 
increase in accounts in the coming year, and Turf Doctor, Farming-ham, Mass., predicts a 50 percent increase. Davey currently has branches in 11 cities including Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Detroit, Akron, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Rochester, Philadelphia and Newark. Production Manager Richard Foote said the company expects slow growth in its older markets like Cleveland and Pittsburgh and 
rapid growth in its newer markets like Indianapolis and Min-neapolis. "We've had a steady increase in business," he said, 
"although not quite as much as we expected, but we have been able to 
maintain our profit margin even 
with the lower volume." Foote said Davey also plans to expand its customer base by ex-panding into one or two new 
markets in 1981, although he re-fused to divulge which markets Davey is interested in. Cancellations up slightly. Can-cellations have not been a serious problem for most lawn care operators, even during these try-ing economic times. "I think our discontinuations are up a fraction 
over what they were a year ago," Turf Doctor's Kenney said. "How-
ever, even though cancellations 
are up, there seems to be a new impetus to take a service like ours because people are beginning to realize that their property values are increasing very rapidly. We lost some customers whose 
pocketbooks were being squeezed, but on the other hand, we had some people scurring to keep their properties looking as good as 
possible." Pennturf Lawn Care, Clinton, Pa. also experienced a slight in-crease in cancellations in 1980. "I'd say we lost maybe five percent 
of our customers this spring," Crawford said. "People would write on their cards that they loved our service, but just couldn't 
afford it anymore." She added that other customers would skip one or two applica-tions in an attempt to save money without cancelling the service. "I 
was scared last year because I anticipated our cancellations were going to be worse than they actu-ally turned out to be, but as it 
turned out we still doubled our accounts." Unlike others, Atwood Lawn Sprays did not experience an in-crease in cancellations in 1980. "The fact that we did not service a 
greater number of customers this 
year was due to the fact that there 
was a greater than usual unre-newed customer segment," Brune 
said. "We began to feel the shock waves last September and August when we began to see a precipit-
ous drop in enrollment. Whereas, normally we might experience a 12 to 13 percent drop in enroll-ment due to people who don't renew, this year we probably ex-perienced a 20 percent decline. That accounts for the reason we're not doing any more business." Coping with declining enroll-ment. Brune made a number of adjustments in his business to combat the problem of declining enrollment. These included: Ł Wages were frozen. 
Ł No bonuses were awarded. Ł Product purchases were care-fully screened. Ł A general manager earning $30,000 per year was not replaced when he quit. Ł The company's benefit package was not expanded. Can't get behind. The key to coping with price increases during 
a recessionary period, according to Davey Lawnscape General Man-ager Gordon Ober is to keep pace with inflation. Ober said custom-
ers will accept a 10 percent annual price increase, but many will balk at anything more. "Our philosophy is you better keep pace with price increases because it's too difficult to get it all back in one chunk from the cus-tomer if you get behind one year. "You have got to keep pace. If you don't, you're going to suffer." u H Herbicide and fertilizer prices increase, seed costs stabilize PRICE INCREASES/ron, page 1 tank is currently $5,710 and its 1,200-gallon tank is $6,240. Other costs include $1,000 for a truck bed, $150 for hose and 
$650 for a hose and reel unit. An additional $600 to $700 is charged for mounting all the components on a truck. Person said the company's inventory glut is the result of a slump in forecasted sales. "What it boils down to is the market 
didn't follow through on the 1980 sales forecast." Mowers. Excel Industries, Hesston, Kan., reports about an eight percent increase in the cost of its 72-inch, out-front riding 
mowers (Hustler 275, 285 and 295). The Hustler 275 will run about $7,000 in 1981, the 285 about $7,800 and the 305 about $9,200. Excel Industries also plans to introduce two new diesel units (Hustler 305 and 602) in 1981, according to Marketing Manager John Harrison. "The 305 is nothing more than our conventional Hustler with a diesel engine," he said, "and the 602 is our previous 402 hillside unit with a diesel unit in it." The 305 will cost about $9,000 and the 602 will run "upwards" of $17,500. Harrison attributes his company's price increases to inflation and the fact Excel Industries is a non-union shop. "We're trying to hold prices down," he said, "but we still have to give our people pay raises and benefits offered in union shops." Turfseed. One segment of the lawn care industry which plans no price increases in 1981 is the turfseed market. Last year, prices escalated rapidly because of poor crop yields. However, a 
solid 1981 crop year relieved the shortages and ample supplies of Kentucky bluegrasses, ryegrasses and fine fescues should be available. Harry Stalford, of International Seeds, Inc., Halsey, Ore., said after Kentucky bluegrass prices skyrocketed last year ($2.20 per pound from $1.50) many lawn care businessmen turned towards turf-type perennial ryegrasses and fine fescues as alternatives. The result was these varieties also increased in price as demand escalated. "However, this year prices will remain stable because there are adequate quantities of seed," Richard Hurley, of Loft's Pedigreed Seed, Bound Brook, N.J., said. "Now that prices have stabilized I expect them to remain constant throughout the winter and spring. "Then prices will firm up as some spot shortages show up in certain proprietary varieties," he added. "But basically, the big 
move down has already taken place and prices should stabilize." Hurley said if there are any spot shortages in 1981 they would most likely occur late in the lawn care season. "Towards the middle and the end of the season some varieties may run a little short, but there are other varieties that could be substituted which would give equivalent performance. However, on the whole, there should be no problems with the consumer getting proprietary varieties." Projected 1981 Price Increases 20% I D m n CD 00 O 15% C/) a> "D 'o !a o3 -C C/) CD N CD o 
c CD 
O) C/) CD N a5 E CD C (D LL CD Q_ EQUIPMENT Engine maintenance for spring start-up Preparation of small engines for storage over the winter is not a difficult job. Probably the hardest thing about it is to make the management decision and then follow it through. There are many good reasons for setting up a fall engine mainte-nance program, says Miles H. Lovingood, assistant professor of agricultural engineering at VPI & SU, Blacksburg, Va. In addition to saving time in the spring, the 
busiest months for lawn care 
businessmen, a properly designed fall maintenance program will protect the engine from corrosion, gum deposits, moisture, dirt and dust, and physical damage that 
might occur during the months the equipment is idle. This contri-butes to the life of the engine as well as making start-up in the 
spring quicker and more reliable, 
says Lovingood. The first step in a good mainte-nance program is to try to evaluate the general condition of each item of equipment. Should it be re-placed, overhauled, tuned-up or just winterized? While you may well want to do more than just winterize small engines, Lovin-good says, the following steps deal with the minimum of maintenance 
items necessary to prepare an engine for storage. While main-taining a small engine may not be extremely hazardous, says Lovin-
good, observe safety rules for han-dling gasoline and make sure the spark plug wire or spark plug is removed whenever rotating the engine by hand. Ł Siphon or drain all but a small amount of fuel from the tank. Ł Operate the engine until it runs out of fuel and choke it as it dies to empty the carburetor. This 
will prevent formation of gum 
from stale gasoline. Ł Remove and check the spark plug. While the plug is out put about a tablespoon of oil through the spark plug hole into the cylin-der. Slowly rotate the engine a revolution or two to distribute the 
oil. Leave the piston at TDC (Top Dead Center) with both valves closed. Replace the spark plug. The oil will coat engine parts and with the piston at TDC on the compression stroke the cylinder will be sealed from moisture entry. Ł Drain the oil from the engine while it is still warm. Ł While the oil is draining check and replace the air cleaner if necessary. Ł Add fresh oil to the proper level. Ł Remove the blower housing and clean all dirt and dust from the fins of the engine. Ł Clean and repaint any parts that might rust. Ł Cut a sheet of plastic, cover the engine and tie the plastic around the base with a string or wire to protect the engine from moisture. Ł Store in a dry place safe from vehicles or falling objects. A more comprehensive program would include tune-up parts, re-placement of worn belts and chain and sharpening of blades. How-
ever, even a simple winterization program will pay big dividends next spring when time is short and 
reliability must be high. DISEASE Fighting tree infections through proper pruning Proper pruning is necessary when fighting tree infections that cause cankers or branch blight, accord-ing to Charles C. Powell, Jr., a research plant pathologist at The Ohio State University, Columbus, 
Ohio. Canker-causing fungi often in-vade wounds on branches or tree 
trunks. After infection, the fungus grows and the canker may com-
pletely surround the tree branch. The cankers or dead branches are unsightly and should be pruned to 
remove the pathogen and prevent Briggs & Stratton offer electric car Whether humming along the highway in a car of the future or mowing your lawn with a conventional ground tractor, the power for the trip may be from the same source. The Briggs & Stratton experimental car combines an 18-horse power gasoline engine and an electric motor, giving the car a performance flexibility beyond that of 
the usual electric car. The same Briggs & Stratton 18-horsepower engine powers the Simplicity Model 6118 garden tractor. The electric car can be driven by either, or a combination of its power sources, to produce variable gas mileage from 25 to 150 miles per gallon at speeds of more than 60 miles per hour. it from producing spores, Powell 
said. The best way to prevent more cankers from forming is to increase tree vigor. In these cases, it is especially important to reduce drought stress and soil compac-tion. Fertilization may also help, according to the plant pathologist. Fireblight. Fireblight is a highly infectious bacterial disease that must be managed directly by prun-
ing. Apple, crabapple, pear, moun-tain ash and hawthorne are par-
ticularly susceptible to this dis-ease. Infection can occur in tiny 
wounds or through leaves or flow-r . kfi. ŁŁ ; m "We haven't had a minute's down-time since our TORCO sprayer was put in operation" Š Bob Birkholz Š Chem Green, a division of Gloria Landscaping Durability means long life with low maintenance costs, and TORCO sprayers are specifically engineered for the greatest durability records in the lawn care industry. Our low H P. systems not only save energy, they save you money at the gas pump Š and that's just one more reason why customers like Bob Birkholz choose TORCO. TORCO means tough! TORCO Equipment Company Ł 207 Eiler Ave Ł Louisville. Kentucky Ł 40214 (502) 366-1415 ers. The disease is spread by water splashing from shoot to shoot on a tree. The secret to successful disease control is to prune well below any 
obviously diseased area, Powell said. The approach is similar to that used by medical doctors when removing tumors from humans. Powell suggests lawn care operators cut down far enough on blighted branches to get all the diseased wood. You may have to cut through diseased tissue and 
get bacteria or fungi on the prun-ing tool. Therefore, to avoid spreading disease, clean or disin-fect the tool between each cut with 70 percent alcohol solution. COMPANIES ADCO to market root contact fertilizer packs ADCO Works, Hollis, N.Y., has acquired the marketing rights in 13 northeastern states for Eesy Grow Root contact fertilizer pac-kets, from Specialty Fertilizer, Inc. The product originally developed out of research at the University of Wisconsin and Michigan State University. The fertilizer packets work by placing them unopened next to or among plant loots when planting, 
according to company President Robert A. Russell. Water vapor in the soil enters micropore holes in the packet walls causing a slow release of nutrients for up to eight 
years, depending on the packet size. Thus, fertilizer waste from leaching is almost completely eliminated. For further product information contact ADCO Works, P.O. Box 310, Hollis, N.Y. 11423. EDUCATION Jacobsen introduces new training program A new training certification pro-gram has been established by Jacobsen Division of Textron Inc., Racine, Wis. The training program 
instructs students in turf care equipment and maintenance and design. Further, students are awarded certificates and distinctive prod-uct patches when they success-
fully complete the courses. There are three proficiency levels that students can attain in the certification program, with each succeeding level more ad-vanced than the preceeding one. The first training course is for new mechanics and introduces them to Jacobsen's product lines. By completing the initial course, a student obtains a patch designat-
ing him a technician. A second course emphasizes in-depth study of equipment and its actual disassembly, repair and assembly. Completion of the course earns a student a patch 
identifying him an advanced technician. If a student meets the require-ments of the first and second courses and satisfactorily partici-pates in the third, there is a patch to recognize him as a master 
technician. This indicates he has specialized in certain phases of the Jacobsen product line. "Using the patches will moti-vate our students to higher achievement levels/' Ralph Syl-
vester, Jr., Jacobsen product train-ing manager, said. "The sophistication of equip-ment entering the market requires that training not only include, but go beyond basic instruction," he added, "and also means that dis-
tributor mechanics must broaden their knowledge in order to keep turf equipment in service-ready condition and extend its life." Field and factory training has been a primary activity of Jacobsen for 25 years, with more than 10,000 distributor and customer person-nel participating in the company's programs. Typical training offers class-room instruction and hands-on laboratory experience with such equipment as hydraulic systems, 
hydrostatic transmissions, mow-ers and diagnostic testing ap-paratus. Courses are conducted during a four-and-one-half day period at the Jacobsen product training center. IA plans expansion of short course program The Irrigation Association has an-nounced a major expansion of its short course program with the 
establishment of two-week insti-tutes for the technical training of industry personnel. The Institute for Agricultural Irrigation will be held Jan. 5-16 at California State University in Fresno, and the Institute for Land-scape Irrigation will be held on March 23-April 3 at the University of California in Riverside. Future plans also call for further expansion of the Institute program through cooperation with leading universities in various regions of the country. The intensive two-week agricul-tural course, designed for person-nel of manufacturing, contracting and consulting firms, consists of 11 days of instruction and field trips. Some of the topics to be covered include: Ł General principles of soil I water/plant relations. Ł Basic hydraulics and water distribution. Ł Pumps and controls. Ł Surface and sprinkler irriga-tion, sprinkler testing, evaluation and design. Ł Linear move and pivot sys-tem. Ł Drip irrigation systems, de-sign and control. Fees for the agricultural course are $750 each for ISA members and 
their personnel and $850 for non-members. Fees include admit-tance to all instructional sessions, 
field trips and tours, all course materials, lodging at an off-campus motel hotel, transporta-tion to and from the campus, as well as 12 luncheons and two banquets. The Institute for Landscape Irri-gation will be similar in nature to the agricultural course, with the same course fees. Enrollment is limited to 50 stu-dents on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information and registration materials contact: The Irrigation Institute, 13975 Connecticut Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20906, or call 301-871-1200. COMPANIES Boots adds MCPP to product group Boots Hercules Agrochemicals Co., Wilmington, Del. has an-nounced that technical acids of 2,4-DP and MCPP will be offered in addition to Nitroform slow-release fertilizer, as part of its line of turf and horticultural products. MCPP and 2,4-DP are produced by The Boots Co., Ltd., of England. Nitroform ureaform nitrogen (38-0-0) has been manufactured and marketed by Hercules, Inc., for the turf and horticultural industry foj 20 years. Boots Hercules was formed in early 1979 in a joint venture between The Boots Co. and Her-cules. Ian McKinnon, vice president for Boots Hercules marketing, made the announcement. AG CENSUS Hort services double in four years Horticultural services are on the increase, according to statistics released by the Agricultural Ser-vices Census. The recently released 1978 cen-sus indicated $2.6 billion gross 
receipts for that year, which is nearly double the amount reported in 1974. Part of this increase, 
however, is undoubtedly due to more complete reporting in 1978, the report said. More than 36,000 landscape planting and maintenance service firms whose major source of in-come was lawn and garden ser-vices reported gross receipts of $1.4 billion. Over 19,500 ar-boricultural firms reported gross receipts of $106 billion; and 5,228 landscape planning and counsel-
ing services reported $180 million 
in gross receipts for 1978. Landscape and horticultural services are expected to become increasingly important in the fu-ture, the report said. These ser-
vices are recognized by more homeowners as professional ones. With increasing limitations on the 
pesticides homeowners may use, these and other professional ser-
vices will be in greater demand in 
the future, the report concluded. Ideal Heights-Of-Cut For Lawn Grasses Full Shaded Sun Area Variety (inches) (inches) Common Bermudagrass IV2 4Tif" Bermudagrasses 1 Kentucky Bluegrass 2 2V2 Buffalograss 2 Centipedegrass 2 2V2 St. Augustinegrass 2 3 Tall Fescue 2V2 3 Zoysiagrass 2 2V2 SAFETY REGS from page 1 the regulation falls in the middle of the industry's normal produc-tion year. Therefore, lawn care operators will be offered a choice between complying and non-complying mowers in the market-place for the 1982 mowing season. "For mowers that comply with the standard, the consumer will be faced with paying in current dol-lars an additional $40 to $60 for units equipped with a clutch de-
vice, and $70 to $90 for those with an electric re-start," Dix said. The 
CPSC estimates the safety devices will add about $35, on average, to the price of mowers. "The industry has been hit hard by weather conditions and the recession this year," Dix added, "and next year doesn't look much brighter. The timing of the effec-
tive date of the standard couldn't be worse. I don't see how some of 
the present lawn mower manufac-
turers are going to survive." Available at quality garden centers Also available: REVEILLE GYPSUM PELLETS It's pelletized! Gets down to the roots quickly and goes to work immediately. No dust. No mess. Neutralizes soil acidity. Conditions it with essential calcium. Helps restore and maintain correct pH for ideal soil balance. It's the best investment you can make in your soil. American Pelletizing Corp »PO Box 3628 Ł Pes Moines. Iowa Write 101 on reader service card Ampel >50322 I SPRAY-PRG 15-ft. 3-section folding boom for I6M2 ft. coverage. Spray fungicide, herbicide, insecticide, liquid fertilizer. 160 gal. polytank, jet agitation, centrifugal pump. High flotation tires and 4-wheel design protects turf. Only half the PSI of other utility trucks and sprayers. Optional SPREADER, UTILITY BED, HAND GUN w Accurately spreads 1000 lbs. sand over 3000 sq. ft. in two minutes. Spreads fertilizer, seed, lime 20 to 45 ft. swath. Some Dealerships available. Telephone (812) 428-2025. Building self-propelled sprayers for 33 years. Hahll AG/TURF DIVISION 1625 N. Garvin St. Evansville, IN 47711 Write 107 on reader service card Easy-to-assemble trailer kit for transporting turf care equipment The 'Mighty Might' trailer, from Owens/Classic, Inc., is ideal for transporting riding mowers and other turf care equipment between job sites. The model 1001 trailer kit features a 49-inch by 72-inch, bolt-together frame with a 1,000-pound distributed payload capacity. The kit also includes lights, wiring, safety chain, two-ply tires, springs and a ball coupler. Further, a cambered axle improves tire life and towability. Optional accessories include fenders, corner posts, metal floor and loading ramp. All trailers and accessories come pre-punched so options can be added anytime. Owens/Classic also offers a 40-inch by 48-inch trailer kit (model MM 1000) with all the features of the model MM 1001. Write 700 on reader service card PRODUCTS Rear-discharge tractor MTD Products, Inc. introduces a rear-discharge tractor for mowing next to trees, shrubs, flower beds 
and other tight areas. The Classic Model 131-786 features twin counter-rotating blades that swirl cut grass into a center chute, dispersing the clippings neatly behind the tractor. The unit also features a single-point hitch as standard equip-ment, enabling the tractor to pull an optional lawn sweeper or other accessories. Further, cutting 
height can be adjusted from the tractor seat to any of five different settings. Other featues include a 16-horsepower, twin-cylinder Briggs 
& Stratton engine, independent blade engagement lever, hydro-static drive, pivoted front axle and 
tubeless tires. Write 704 on reader service card New fine fescue variety resists powdery mildew Shadow, a new variety of chew-ings type fine fescue which is 
resistant to powdery mildew, is 
available in limited quantities 
from Turf-Seed, Inc. The new variety was developed by Turf-Seed's Dr. William Meyer, who worked with many germ plasm sources to create the newest 
of the chewings type fine fescues. The breeding program began with germ plasm collected from old turf areas throughout the 
northeastern United States and two European locations. As seedlings, the plants were screened for powdery mildew re-sistance in the greenhouse. The powdery mildew resistant seedl-ings were then planted in a field 
and attractive, productive plants 
were selected. Two additional selection cycles for seed production and Puccinia crandallii resistance were con-ducted in field tests. From these tests, clones of the most attractive, disease resistant clones were selected and allowed to interpoli-
nate in isolation to produce the breeders seed for Shadow. In turf trials in New Jersey, western Oregon and England, 
Shadoe has shown improved resis-tance to leaf spot and powdery mildew. In shade trials in Hub-bard, Ore., it has also shown much 
better shade tolerance and pow-dery mildew resistance than Ban-
ner and Jamestown. Write 708 on reader service card New spinner spreader features unique design Avco New Idea introduces a tractor-mounted, pto-driven spreader with a unique double 
cone design that combines good capacity (14 cubic feet or 900 pounds of granulated fertilizer) 
with steep sides to ensure constant 
material flow, and a low, easy-to-fill hopper. The twin spinners can be set to broadcast in a wide arc or just to the left or right. A new shutter control allows for precise adjust-
ment of spread rate, even from the driver's seat, with the aid of an optional hydraulic linkage. Stainless steel hopper blades resist material clogs whether spreading fertilizer, seed, or even salt during the winter months. An oilbath gearbox and convenient adjustments help reduce mainte-nance time. Write 701 on reader service card Reduce plowing time with snowplow control A foot-operated snowplow control 
which reduces plowing time by as much as 30 percent is available for lawn care operators who offer snow removal services during the 
winter. Designed for four by four vehi-cles, the automatic control unit 
frees the driver's hands for steer-ing and shifting, an important feature in bad weather. The floor-mounted console, which measures seven-and-one-half inches wide by nine-and-one-half inches deep, controls the full range of blade functions with simply a touch of the foot. Made by Trio Manufacturing Co., the unit also features color-coded wiring for quick installa-tion. Write 702 on reader service card Mulch or bag: mower offers you a choice The Lawnflite Model 131-412, a new rear-engine riding mower from MTD Products, Inc., com-
bines the traditional advantages of a rear-engine mower with the 
additional option of either gagging or mulching grass clippings. An optional Mulcher Kit in-cludes a mulching blade, dis-charge chute baffle, and necessary 
hardware to give "turbine action" mulching, while the Bag-It grass 
catching system comprises a rear-mounted bagging chamber, front counterbalance weight, and side-mounted collection tube to carry clippings from deck to bag. The steel-framed, twisted-poly-ester-cord grass catcher tilts up for 
easy dumping without leaving the operator's seat. An 8-h.p. engine powers the riding mower through five-speed 
automatic drive and automatic 
type differential, while a five-position cutting height adjustment 
lever and independent blade en-gagement lever are mounted within easy reach of the operator. Write 710 on reader service card XL Xtra Life replacement engine for rotary mowers Tecumseh Products Co., Engine Divisions announce the develop-ment and release of a new XL Xtra 
Life four-horse power engine to be sold to original equipment man-ufacturers as a replacement en-gine. Xtra Life features on the 10.5 cu. in. TVS105XL include rugged cast 
iron cylinder liner, steel-backed bronze main bearings with hard-ened crankshaft journals, STEL-LITE® faced exhaust valve and 
seat, solid state ignition system and KLEEN-AIRE PLUS® two stage poly air filter. The engine has an extended 18-month warranty, and comes with a "Bearing Gard" positive pressure oil pump lubrication system, "Stay Power" mechanical governor, two quart fuel tank, field removable recoil starter, dual sys-
tem float type carburetor with manual primer deluxe muffler and full complement of optional fea-tures. the grass is greener on your side ^ with Bowie's HYDRO-MULCHER For fast, easy turf establishmentŠthe Bowie Hydro-Mulcher is the answer. The one-step operation of a Bowie Hydro-Mulcher plants, seeds, sprigs, fertilizes, waters, sprays and mulches. And with a Bowie Hydro-Mulcher, you can seed over three acres in fifteen minutes. That saves you valuable time and money! Order the Bowie Hydro-MulcherŠyou'll have the best and greenest Š on your side! write for free catalog w BOWIE INDUSTRIES, INC. PO. Box 931 Bowie. Texas 76230 - (817) 872-2286 Write 103 on reader service card New brochure highlights Echo's power blower line A new, four-page color brochure is available from Echo, Inc., outlin-ing their complete line of power blowers and sprayers, including 
the company's two newest home-owner models and a back-pack sprayer-duster. Each model is equipped with the internationally recognized Kioritz two-cycle, air-cooled engine and is backed by Echo's reputation for dependable service. Individual model highlights, special features, specifications and use applications are included in the brochure, along with vivid 
color photographs of each model. Write 712 on reader service card Wood posts enhance beauty of landscapes Redi-Curb landscape partitions, ADALAYD from page 9 thatch removal, a costly and time-consuming maintenance practice, and also have less tendency to lose vigor, restrict water penetration, and harbor the insect pests and fungus pathogens that are often 
associated with heavy thatch ac-cumulations. Neither mowing height nor ni-trogen rate resulted in any signifi-cant difference in thatch accumu-lation for the three grasses, accord-ing to the research. Normally, one would expect thatch to increase as nitrogen levels increased. Rooting. Rooting, measured in January 1979 was visibly greater under 'Santa Ana' hybrid 
bermudagrass than in the upper six inches of soil under 'Futurf.' Both the Paspalum varieties and hybrid bermudagrass produced roots down to and beyond the 
five-foot depth. Winter color. The 1977 and 1978 winters were relatively mild at the South Coast Field Station and the 'Santa Ana' hybrid bermudagrass and Paspalum var-ieties held moderately good green color throughout the cold periods. The .winter of 1979 was consider-ably colder and included two periods of subfreezing tempera-tures. The Paspalum varieties went totally dormant about three weeks before 'Santa Ana.' Further, the grasses did not fully green up until late March 1979. Pest activity. No disease prob-lems or insect damage was ob-served in the P. vaginatum plots. However, light to moderate Poa annua invasion was noticed, along with some broadleaf weeds during 
the summer months. Overall, the Paspalum varieties seemed to be able to compete well enough to prevent any serious weed inva-sion. Based on the results of the study, P. vaginatum 'Futurf' and 'Ada-layd' have proved to be suited to southern California turf mainte-nance practices. However, like all turfgrass species and varieties, they have their advantages and disadvantages in specific situa-tions. The research described in this article was conducted by J. 
Michael Henry, Victor A. Gibeault, Victor B. Youngner and Stanley Spaulding, all of the University of California. from B & M Wood Products, enhance the beauty of landscaped ŁŁ2 i ' ' Ł areas around homes, businesses and factories. For long-term per-formance, Redi-Curb wood posts are pressure-treated with creosote from the Koppers Co. Write 706 on reader service card Abrasion-resistant lawn mower hose Abrasion-resistant Duravent lawn 
mower hose from Dayco Corp., Plastic Products Division, pro-vides long service life and puncture resistance from glass, sticks and other foreign objects. The hose is resistant to gasoline and oil deterioration, with an abrasion resistance that exceeds rubber compounds and can be 
used in temperature ranges of 
minus 60 to plus 180 degrees F. Multi-ply elastomer, high tensile wire reinforced construction adds 
strength and lightweight flexibil-ity for offmower vacuum applica-tions. Duravent hose is available in IDs ranging from IV2 to 8 inches (other IDs available on request) and lengths up to and including 20 feet. Write 713 on reader service card Lightweight mower hews the line Coming at a time when homeow-ners and lawncare businessmen are switching to larger, agricul-tural equipment to cope with their large lawn problems, the Side-winder Flail Mower from the FMC Corporation will meet a growing demand. Weighing only 350 lbs and adaptable to tractors ranging from 13 to 20 horsepower, the Sidewinder cuts a 46 inch swath and can be set to leave grass as much as four inches high or as closely cropped as one-half inch. 
The mower has 108 freeswinging, overlapping blades, so every swath cut looks like it has just been 
manicured. An optional item for each of these blades is a set of end plates which, when bolted on, converts the blade into a box scraper for cleaning out barns or moving sand or dirt. For someone who already has a light tractor, as do many lawn 
care businessmen, these blade op-tions can be used to level out the yard preparatory to landscaping 
and any number of other tasks for which there never seems to be 
enough time. Write 720 on reader service card Because the job demands success > z n > s 2 a c CO H X Because the job demands success, The Andersons has devoted 10 years to developing and refining our Tee-Time profes-
sional turf-care products. We have now established 
a network of qualified distributors and can 
make available to you the quality products 
we've been supplying to a limited market for many years. The Andersons is a diversified agri-business committed to product quality and service. Our company has enjoyed continuous growth in each of our divisions, accompanied by a widespread reputa-tion for reliability, applied research, and technical innovation. Today we are the nation's sixth largest manufacturer of turf-care fertilizer products. You can switch to The Andersons products with confidence. If you 
are a professional turf manager, you're going to be very pleased with the success you can achieve with our diverse line. We supply more than 20 products which 
can be selectively com-bined according to your particular needs to pro-duce maximum results. Our distributors, backed by our extensive techni-cal knowledge, are quali-fied to assist you in tailoring your programs. Ask if your present supplier carries The Andersons Tee-Time products. If not, call us 
toll-free or write and a n n CD 00 O we'll give you the name of your nearest distrib-utor. You'll be glad you did. Distributor inquiries welcomed. the professional's partner Andersons Lawn Fertilizer Division P.O. Box 119 Maumee, Ohio 43537 Ohio-800-472-3220 Outside OhioŠ 
800-537-3370 PRODUCTS Two new flail mowers from the Kubota Corp. Kubota Tractor Corp. introduces two new flail mowers which shred weeds and brush, mulch leaves and even dethatch lawns. The mowers are available in 48- and 60-inch cutting widths and will fit the company's B- and L-Series tractors. Features include a front deflec-tor shield which directs dust and chaff away from the operator and 
also interrupts air flow, permitting grass to remain upright for clean cutting. Further, the.blades on the flail mower are free-swinging to resist clogging and reversible to extend service life. Three blade styles are available to meet a wide range of mowing conditions: Ł Fine cut blades (standard equipment) for a clean, finely mowed appearance in rock and trash-free areas. Ł Rock dodger blades which pivot side to side as well as front to rear to provide a smooth cut. Ł Dethatching blades for clean-ing out thatch in any type of turf. For operator safety, Kubota mowers also feature a shielded final drive pulley and U-belt, unitized welded housing, shielded telescoping universal 
joint driveshaft assembly and flex-ible rear trash deflector. Pictured is the flail mower being pulled by a Kubota L245, a 25-horsepower, three-cylinder diesel tractor equipped with turf-type tires. Write 705 on reader service card New semi-sterilant herbicide kills weeds New Crown Ground Semi-Sterilant herbicide, from Crown Chemicals is a water-based, non-selective vegetation killer that provides rapid knockdown of most weed species. Available in five-gallon cans and 55-gallon drums, the semi-sterilant is dilutable with water at a one to 10 gallon ratio of chemical to water. The herbicide has a three to six month residual life, and is extremely cost effective as it contains no petroleum distil-lates. Write 714 on reader service card Toro offers two new walk-behind mowers Two new 21-inch, walk-behind power mowers with four horse-
power Briggs & Stratton engines 
and rugged 14-gauge steel decks 
are available from The Toro Co. Model 23400, designed for gen-eral trimming applications, is a 
side-discharge rotary with op-tional bagging capability. Model 23450 is a rear bagging mower 
with a standard two-and-one-
half-bushel bag. Model 23450 also features a dual element air cleaner with remote air intake. Both models have one-quart gas tanks and top-mounted oil filling to prevent oil contamination. The side-discharge model features 
eight-inch wheels and the rear 
bagger has eight-inch wheels in front and two-inch wheels in the rear. All wheels on both models have greasable ball bearings. Write 707 on reader service card New catalog outlines one-step turf program A six-page, hydraulic mulching brochure from Conwed Corp. de-scribes how a one-step turf estab-lishment program, using the com-
pany's Hydro Mulch fibers can 
help produce quality turf at an economical price. In addition to a comprehensive analysis of product benefits for 
commercial and residential lawns, as well as in other landscaping projects, the new four-color bro-chure features actual before and 
after photos, illustrating the effec-tiveness of Hydro Mulch fibers. Write 715 on reader service card For more information call Barb Š Shell send you a free Lescosan hat (800) 321-5325 (800) 362-7413 Nationwide in Ohio LESC^ PRODUCTS if SCO is the national distributor for the patented ChemLawn gun Unique plastic product protects young trees Sav A Tree, from Mo-Ark-Mold, 
protects tree saplings from lawn-mower gouges, damage by chil-dren and teeth bites from small animals, giving them a better 
chance of reaching shade or fruit 
bearing years. This easily-assembled, cylin-der-shaped tree protector fits 
around the base of young trees, 
and is firmly anchored into the ground by two hollow stakes. The circular base is constructed to collect water and fertilizer which 
seeps into the ground through the 
hollow pegs, keeping the soil The Perfect Mix Lescosan with LESCO Sulfur Coated Fertilizers "For greener, cleaner turf, Lescosan and LESCO Sulfur-Coated Fertilizer is a per-fect mix." Ron Giffen Vice President National Sales LESCO Products has combined Lescosan* with high analysis fertilizer to make one appli-cation work twice as hard for you. The most effective pre-emergence crabgrass control on the market, Lescosan, will be available with a mix of immediately available nitrogen and sulfur-coated urea to provide excellent turf response in an evenly spreading granular product. Application of this new product, Lescosan with LESCO Sulfur-Coated Fertilizer, will save you time and labor and allow you to get out early in the spring. * Lescosan Š Betasan registered TM Stauffer Chemical Co. $ 2 U) CO D 0) O ? O CD << O c >-D if o® O CD 0 1 z I o o 3 CD O © < 5* CO r* 0) s o 3 ° CD Q) 5" CD a 
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09 CD I 0D 5" w O C 5 3 S2. c/> ® 2 w c/> o * f CO g Mail To: Company Name Your Title First Initial Š -Š Š Middle Initial Š Š 
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Š Š Š I Š Š Š Š : ai fin it Hi liiiiiili 1 11 IaŽs|t 2 3> a 2 P*£ ft, sift I !l»f i IIIs 1 I s I DECEMBER 1980(Expires in 60 days) reader service card Use this card to obtain more information... fast S_ in _j s Q- o Hi z DC t CO £ LU S W CD to w < -J o D moist and warm as well as eliminating the necessity to trim grass around the sapling. Sav A Tree is injection molded of Super DylanŽ high-density 
polyethylene that withstands ex-tremes of temperature and other weather conditions in addition to physical damage. Write 716 on reader service card New decorative stones beautify landscape sites Aristone, a new line of decorative landscaping stones, is offered by American Pelletizing Corp. The stone products come in eight dif-ferent varieties including marbles, 
volcanics and a new stone which resembles tree bark. Write 709 on reader service card Pennant ryegrass available nationally Pennant ryegrass, recently recog-nized for its high standings in turf trials across the country, and ideal for golf courses, reclamation tracts and large landscaping projects is now available for nationwide dis-tribution, from Agriculture Ser-
vice Corp. An improved variety in the areas of overseeding, shade tolerance, 
wear resistance and general per-
formance, Pennant has proved to have above average resistance to 
common North American turf dis-
eases such as large brown patch, brown blight, dollar spot and crown rust. Its ability to maintain good turf color and quality late into the growing season also gives Pennant 
an advantage in transitional areas 
and seasons where summer heat and humidity create severe condi-
tions for ryegrasses in general. Write 717 on reader service card Residual herbicide for weed, brush control Dozer brush and weed killer, from Hopkins Agricultural Chemical Co., is a new broadspectrum, non-selective herbicide specifically designed for control of trees, brush and deep-rooted annual and pe-rennial weeds where a moderate 
residual herbicide is desired. The herbicide, which is avail-able in two formulas, a liquid concentrate containing 32.44 per-cent of Fenuron trichloroacetate (TCA), and in a pelleted form containing 25 percent Fenuron TCA, is versatile as a spot or individual plant treatment used as a topical, basal or soil application. As a topical or basal treatment of a plant or tree, the herbicide is readily absorbed in the plant sys-tem to inhibit the production of chlorophyll and photosynthesis. As a soil treatment, it will penetrate deep into the root zone, killing roots as the active ingre-dient is dissolved by rainfall and moved downward. In dry soil, the herbicide will remain for months until sufficient moisture is avail-
able to make it active, having little 
tendency to move laterally, rarely more than a foot or two, even on a slope. Write 718 on reader service card Mower manufacturer releases new catalog Wisconsin Marine, Inc., man-ufacturer of Bob-Cat Lawnmowers, has developed a new brochure/ catalog covering their riding and intermediate lawnmowers. The 8-page, 4-color brochure shows the 48-, 61- and 74-inch width mowers with the choice of a Briggs 
and Stratton 18 h.p. engine or an 
Onan 19.9 h.p. engine. Acces-sories include a snow blower, 
snow blade, vee plow, vacuum and road broom. Write 719 on reader service card Gas-powered trimmer cuts heavy undergrowth A gasoline-powered trimmer with a twin-line nylon cutting head for ^ -X I t trimming grass, and a four-point 
weed blade for cutting heavy weeds is available from the Beaird-Poulan/Weed Eater Divi-sion, Emerson Electric Co. The unit also comes with a 44-tooth saw blade for clearing heavy brush 
and undergrowth. Powered by a high-performance 37.7cc engine, the 17-pound trimmer features a solid-state igni-
tion for easy starting and low maintenance. It also comes with a shoulder harness and adjustable guide handles for fingertip con-trol. Write 703 on reader service card ® *JVO«* our Crabqrass ROCKLAND PROFESSIONAL Betasan Sclectivc Prc-cmcrgcncc Herbicide ROCKLAND BETASAN now available in a new 8/16 mesh 7% granular plus three different strengths 12.5%G., 3.6%G. and a 4 lb. E.C. (R) Betasan is a registered Trademark of Stauffer Chemical Co. ROCKLAND has a complete line of granular insecticides, herbicides and fungicides for Professional Turf Maintenance. ROCKLAND Fertilizers contain combinations of IBDU, NITROFORM and new SULFUR COATED UREA. Some available formulations Š 25-5-15, 30-2-5 and 20-4-10. All products are formulated with the highest quality ingredients and carriers. ROCKLAND PROFESSIONAL lawn and garden PRODUCTS CATALOG nclROCKLAND CHEMICAL CO., INC. h | PASSAIC AVE., WEST CALDWELL, N.J. 07006 Ask your supplier C or write Write 119 on reader service card Professional SPRAY EQUIPMENT AT AN ECONOMICAL COST!!! DEPENDABLE ACCURATE Ł ECONOMICAL 2. Inductor allow* you to nil cMmicals one yard at a " Your spray company is different than others so you need a sprayer tailored to your needs That's why the Professional Turf Specialties system is used by lawn spray companies fro-i Chicago to Texas. No other system con suspend large particles such as IBDU and nitroform and offer a separate tank that allows you to mix one product, one lawn at a time, through an inductor as well as these features: 1) A pumping system that can load or unload itself and other trucks. 2) Remote throttle tachometer and pressure gauge for finite occuracy. 3) Ability to suspend slow release nitrogen such as IBDU® or nitroform. 4) Can be mounted on your present equipment or on any new truck. 5) Optional compartmentalized tank, allowing you to fill one section from the other and custom mix chemicals on the job through an inductor. Professional Turf Specialties CALL COLLECT ( 309 ) 454-2467 SUPPLIERS OF EQUIPMENT AND CHEMICALS FOR TURF MAINTAINENCE 1801 INDUSTRAL PARK RD. Ł NORMAL. ILLINOIS 61761 Leasing program available O X 03 U a Q > DC H C/3 D 3 Z w 3 < u z £ < 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 TANKER, Chevy 1976 C-50, 1200 gallon Bean 20-20 pump, 2 Hannay reels, hose and guns. Ready to spray. Excellent condition. Reasonable. 301-728-5885. 1979 LAWN SPRAY TRUCK, 750 gallon compartmentalized tank. 15,000 miles. Electric hose, reel. $9,950 Like new. Call for photo & details. 216-357-8400. TRAILER SPRAYING RIG 300 gallon spray tank, 55 gal. mixing tank, 300 ft. spray hose on Hannay electric reel. 3 hp Briggs & Stratton engine with Hypro pump. Also, 1978 John Deere 212 tractor with 25 eallon pull behind boom sprayer. All mounted and hauled on 16 ft. dual axle trailer. Used IV2 seasons. Unit can be pulled with pick-up truck. $4500.00 or best offer. Call 301-848-1424. FOR SALE: Lawn maintenance busi-ness. Working partner or buyer wanted for $100,000 gross mowing operation. $10,000 minimum investment. Write LCI Box 30. LAWN SPRAYING BUSINESS. Estab-lished Ohio liquid lawn care business for sale. 5000 accounts. Six figure selling price. Owner could assist buyer. Write LCI Box 29. CLEVELAND AREA OPPORTUNITY Š Landscape and lawn care business for sale. Turn key operation available with or without property and build-ings. Sales exceeding one million annually. Terms available. Write LCI Box 28. 800 GALLON REINCO Hydro-Mulcher EXCELLENT Condition. (405) 787-8034. FOR SALE: 1974 Jacobsen Turf King Reel Mower, 84" cutting width. 14 H.P. $1600.00 or best offer. Phone 216-628-9981. FOR SALE: Electric Addressograph Multigraph, model 1900, and electric typewriter plate maker. (Graph-O-Type) metal frames and plates, for 6,000 customers, storage drawers and cabinets. Used for routing, invoicing 
and advertising. Addressograph has many features such as: manual or 
automatic feeding of plates, automatic 
skip or repeat control and automatic 
counter. All in excellent condition. An 
$8,000.00 value for $3,600.00 com-plete. Call 216-351-3885 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. weekdays. Lawnco, Inc., 4900 Van Epps Road, Brookly Heights, Ohio 44131. HELP WANTED LAWN CARE MANAGER in training Š An exceptional opportunity for a self-starting, ambitious, hard worker 
with a young but prominent lawn care 
company. Training will be intensive and thorough as you assist in manag-ing our company owned outlet serving Chicagolana's southwestern suburbs. Within a year or two there is a possibility of transferring to another city to manage the supervision and 
servicing of our franchises in that area. The ideal candidate will have super-visory experience and a good working knowledge of lawn ana tree care. A personable manner and well-developed communication skills are a 
must. Competitive salary and benefits. Send resume and salary history I 
requirements in confidence to: Spring-Green Lawn Care Corporation, P.O. Box 908, Naperville, Illinois 60540. REGIONAL LAWN CARE MANAGER Š Lawn care management experience and an aggessive personality essential. 
Excellent salary, bonuses and benefits. For further information send resume. All inquiries held in strict confidence. Write LCI Box 37. HELP WANTED Š Looking for qual-ified person who is willing to invest small amount of money and work as partner in landscape maintenance bus-iness located in Virginia. Write LCI Box 32. SALES OPPORTUNITIES Š Lake-shore Equipment & Supply Co. is looking for persons knowledgeable in fertilizer ana chemical use to work as 
technical representatives selling ac-cepted LESCO Products such as Lesco-
san and LESCO Sulfur-Coated Fer-tilizers to lawn service and related turf and ornamental companies. We are 
also interviewing persons who would be interested in operating a LESCO sales Truck calling on golf courses in the East, Midwest and Southeast. Interested persons may call or send resumes to Robert F. Burkhardt, Vice President, Lakeshore Equipment & Supply Co., PO Box 4015, 300 S. Abbe, 
Elyria, OH 44036 (216) 734-8080. All 
inquiries are strictly confidential. EXPANDING EASTERN PENNSYL-VANIA lawn care company needs experienced manager. Excellent op-portunity for individual willing to put 
in the effort. Background should be either chemical lawn care or in land-
scape maintenance. Individual will needs strong supervisory background to take care of our growing operation. This is a ground floor opportunity with many possibilities for advance-
ment. We currently service over 1600 accounts, with plans to double within 18 months. Write LCI Box 34. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY WANTED Š Principals for starting new and buying currently operating lawn care companies. Write LCI Box 35. FRANCHISES AVAILABLE Š Cleve-land area. Let's talk. Excellent oppor-tunity for having your own business. Many options. Write LCI Box 33. MISCELLANEOUS ROLL IN THE GREEN. Green Pro Executive (profit building) Winter Conference. Tamiment Resort, Pennsylvania, January 18, 19, 20. Top 
speakers; business, promotion, dis-eases; new techniques and products. A must for serious business profession-als. Call 516-483-0100 for details or write: Green Pro executive winter conference director, 380 South 
Franklin Street, Hempstead, NY 11550. PREPARE NOW to increase next year's profits. "Garden Tips" the monthly customer newsletter with your company name/phone. Proven 
response . . . cements customer rela-
tions, gets them to spend more, opens new doors expertly in new expansion areas. Low cost, effective profit build-ing. Call today 516-538-6444, we'll send complete information or write: Garden Tips, Box 117, Garden City, NY 11530. CUSTOM BUILT LAWN CARE UNITS: Built to fit your van or pick-up truck. Many different terms and op-
tions. Let's get together! Write LCI Box 33. How to get better turf next season. BEHIND THIS ISSUE We recently received a letter from one of our female readers who expressed concern about the growing wave of sexism in the lawn care industry. A review of some of her comments follows. "I have enjoyed receiving LAWN CARE INDUSTRY and look forward to the informa-tion it contains. However, I am often dis-turbed by the use of terms in articles, editorials and advertisements that imply this is a male only industry. "I am a veteran of the golf course industry and was very turned off at many conferences 
and other meetings where this male only attitude prevailed. I would have difficulty 
counting how many speeches and seminars at 
turf meetings which began by flashing near naked pictures of women on a (slide) screen. This is completely unnecessary. Any person who is so bored with the proceedings that he needs to see some flesh to get him interested should not be there in the first place. "I left the golf course industry primarily because of its sexist attitude and the unwil-lingness to believe a woman could be a good superintendent. I would really hate to see the new lawn care industry embrace the male only attitude of the turf world. "Today I was filling out forms for the First Professional Lawn Care Conference (PLCAA). The first page of the mailing started out with a cartoon depciting a man ogling a woman's legs with the heading, "Take Another Look." Come on! Do you really think this is going to get people's attention. "Your magazine did help in forming the PLCAA and is the one piece of information that almost all lawn care people receive. Please do not foster the same type of attitude that excludes women and makes them feel uncomfortable." Sadly, sexism has become a part of our business world and a part of our culture. The green industry is not the first offender and it will not be the last. However, all male-
dominated industries should ardently guard against the infiltration of sexist attitudes. > z n > g z D C CO H PO < o M n CD OC O Diamond Shamrock has a quality line of TURF CAREŽ products that will help you solve nearly any turf problem effectively and economically. DACONIL 2787®. The fungicide that's the product of choice for turf and ornamentals. Spectrum of disease control is unmatched on fairways, greens, tees and a variety of orna-mentals Š many newly labeled. Avail-able in flowable and wettable powder 
formulations. DACTHAL® W-75. America's leading preemergenceturf herbicide. Delivers effective control of more than 20 tough annual grasses and broadleaf 
weeds in turf and ornamentals. In wet-table powder and granules. DACAMINE® 4D. For postemer-gence control of over 70 hard-to-get broadleaf weeds, you just can't beat Dacamine 4D. Kills the roots so tough perennials will not return. DACONATE® 6. Proven post-emergence protection against tough 
weeds like nutsedge, chickweed, 
wood sorrel and a variety of grassy weeds. Daconate 6 is a liquid, ready-
to-use herbicide with a built-in sur-
factant for uniform wetting. MCPP + 2,4-D AMINE. Phenoxy acid formulation for use on turf. Espe-cially useful on golf course fairways. Delivers effective control of many weeds including dandelions, plantain, chickweed and clover. MCPP-K-4. Formulated for use on lawns and golf courses. MCPP-K-4 is effective on hard-to-control weeds like clover, chickweed, plantain and many more. Always follow label directions carefully when using turf chemicals. AMINE 4D. Selective herbicide recommended for control of many broadleaf weeds, including dande-lions, morning glory, plantain. For lawns, golf courses, parks. So start planning now to get a head start on next season's turf prob-
lems. Your Diamond Shamrock dis-tributor can help you plan your full season program today. ($6 Diamond Shamrock AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS DIVISION 1100 Superior Avenue Cleveland. Ohio 44114 CLASSIFIEDS KELWAY^ SOIL pH TESTER, used by professionals everywhere. Direct read-ing, longlasting, portable, lightweight, no power source. Model HB-2 reads 
moisture too. Available through local distributors or contact Kel Instruments Co., Inc., Dept. L, P.O. Box 1869, 
Clifton, NJ 07015. 201-471-3954. WANTED TO BUY ACQUISITIONS WANTED: Lawn service company seeking growth through acquisition. Seeking firms servicing between 400 and 1,500 cus-tomers. Team up with experience. Key people retained. Smooth transition. Flexible. Write LCI Box 19. POSITION WANTED MANAGEMENT/OWNERSHIP. Six years experience with large lawn care company. Knowledge of all aspects of the industry. Well versed in financial analysis and marketing. Can bring many benefits to your operation. Prefer some ownership, especially in new 
operation. Will consider regular employment. Asking $25,000 min-imum. Write LCI Box 36. ADVERTISERS American Pelletizing Co 21 Andersons Advertising 23 Bowie Industries, Inc 22 Diamond Shamrock/AG Chem. 26, 27 Excel Industries 12 Finn Equipment Co 10 Hahn, Inc. . v 21 International Seeds, Inc 5 Lakeshore Equipment & Supply Co. 24 
Lebanon Chemical Corp 8 Lofts Pedigreed Seed 28 Monsanto 17 Oregon Fine Fescue Commission . 11 Professional Turf Spec 13-16, 25 Rhone-Poulenc, Inc 3 Torco Equipment 20 Velsicol Chemical Corp 4 KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS LOFTS Melanie Reinhold, William Reinhold Landscaping, Flat Rock, Ml. H vfe-M Sunbelt Seeds, Inc Great Western Seed Co., Inc. Loft/Kellogg Seed C Inc. Oseco, Inc. I 2055 Tucker Industrial Road Albany, OR 97321 Milwaukee, Wl 53201 Brampton, Onta Tucker, GA 30084 (503) 928-5892 (414) 276-0373 eed, Inc. I (404)491-1311 Lofts'New Si^and (416 846 * Ł , Ł ^ v ŁŁ k y" & Ł v Lotts/Maryland Lofts/New York ~ fybf Lofts Pedigreed Seed, Inc. Div. of Lofts Pedigreed Seed, In J Bound Brook, NJ 08805 (201) 356-8700 '?Ł Ł & ' ' ' , 'A 754 03*05 qn 42654 .... ff Div. or/Lofts Pedigreed $eed, Inc. H Lofts Pedigreed Seed, Inc. Div. of Lofts Pedigreed Seed % Arlington, MA 02174 Landover. MP 20785 Cambridge, NY 1281$ 1617) 648-7550 (301) 322-8111 (518) 677-8d08 : A * Yv£ 'v Ł - ŁŁ \ » 35 v ' K ..-v > '4Ł . "After 56 years in landscaping we've had some unusual requests. But never before had we been asked to landscape an exposed roof in the middle of a city. "The roof was on the third story of the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit. All the materials had to be lifted by crane. We had to create an artificial ground. We put over 1,000 tons of stone down . . . 
covered that with a matted fiber and topped it with 6" of topsoil. Then we laid almost 3 acres of sod up here. Of course a good irrigation system had to be installed. "When we chose the grasses for the sod, there were several things we were looking for: First it had to be a great-looking grass. Then it had to be tough enough to survive under the artificial conditions. And we knew we'd have to keep good color, so it had to be disease resistant even with heavy fertilization. "We chose to use Baron in our mix. And it's given us all we expected and more. We never expected this turf to be taking the abuse it is. Jogging, dancing, concerts, you name it. And since we maintain these grounds too, it's still up to us to keep it looking good. It's not easy under these adverse conditions, but it's a lot easier with Baron."