UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION GREEN SECTION M i d - C o n t i n e nt T u r f l e t t er No. 5 October - 1961 DR. MARVIN H. FERGUSON M I D - C O N T I N E NT D I R E C T OR N A T I O N AL R E S E A R CH C O O R D I N A T OR JAMES L. HOLMES M I D - W E S T E RN A G R O N O M I ST W. WAYNE ALLEN S O U T H W E S T E RN A G R O N O M I ST MID-WESTERN DISTRICT R O OM 2 4 1, L A S A L LE H O T EL C H I C A GO 2, I L L I N O IS T E L E P H O N E: S T A TE 2 - 7 4 85 SOUTHWESTERN DISTRICT T E X AS A 8c M C O L L E GE C O L L E GE S T A T I O N, T E X AS T E L E P H O N E: V I C T OR 6 - 5 2 10 YOUR WINTER READING There are numerous books available which are interesting and informative for the person interested in the growing of turfgrasses and other jobs related to golf course management. Perhaps during a slack period of the season you could catch up on some reading. The following are among the books available: Weed Control: As A Science - Glenn C. KLingman Dr. KLingman says in the Preface to his new book "The Science of weed control has advanced more in the last l8 years (since 19^2) than in the previous 100 centuries. This book brings the reader up Old and so-called reliable to date in this fast-moving science. methods of weed control are blended with the very newest chemical techniques. In many cases, new chemical methods are far superior to older practices in terms of control as well as reduced costs." The book is intended to present a comprehensive discussion of the field of weed control and includes a discussion of such diverse matters as weed dissemination,, chemistry of herbicides, and practical weed control methods in crops, including turf and ornamentals. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. are the publishers. Seeds - The U.S.D.A. Yearbook of Agriculture This book was discussed in the last Turfletter and in the USGA Journal. It is available from The Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. The L a™ Book - by Robert W. Schery While this book is intended primarily for use by the l a™ o ™ er and heme gardener, it will undoubtedly appeal to the professional turf grower as well. It contains illustrations of l a™ grasses, l a™ weeds, and l a™ insects. It is available from Seed World, 327 South LaSalle Street Chicago If, Illinois. INFORMATION ON PAINTS Luring the next few months, when golf is at a minimum, many superintendents will take advantage of the lull to repair and repaint maintenance equipment and structures such as "bridges and shelter houses. An excellent source of information about paint and related coatings is The Paint Manual published by the United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. chapter headings listed below will indicate the scope of this manual. The Chapter I -- Paints and Paint Materials II • - Painting Woodwork III -- Painting Metalwork IV -- Painting Concrete, Plaster and Miscellaneous Surfaces V • - Inspection and Sampling VI . - Safety and Care of Materials Appendix - List of Specifications for Paints and Accessory Materials This little book contains 197 pages and it costs $1.75* It may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. TURF CONFERENCES Conferences at this season of the year are so numerous that space does not permit adequate reporting of the many worthwhile activities involved. Almost without exception, turfgrass conferences are being attended by larger numbers. Furthermore, many long time observers share the belief that the programs have been arranged to provide more information of value to golf course superintendents. Among recent conferences and field days have been the Purdue Field Days, the St. Louis District Field Day, the Missouri Turfgrass Conference, The Rocky Mountain Turfgrass Conference and the New Mexico Turfgrass Conference. There are more scheduled. (See Coming Events). Make plans now to attend one or more. It will be worth your time and effort. ALGAE IN TURF - J. F. Cornman (Reprinted from N ew York Turf grass Association Bulletin No. 67) When turf grasses "become thin the surface of the soil may become covered with a thin coating of green scum. very simple green plants (algae) that are maintaining themselves where there is adequate moisture and light. These algae do not attack grass directly; they merely occupy space left vacant when grass disappears through other causes. preventing new seedlings in becoming established and preventing new sprouting from older plants. When the algae die the layer turns black and becomes hard and rubbery, This thin layer is made up of single celled Green algae can be killed by light dusting (2 or 3 poinds to 1,000 sq. ft.) of hydrated (builder's) lime. Where the black scum has formed, either naturally or through treatment with lime, this rubbery mass must be broken up with a rake or other tool before new grass can become established. The plants then turn black and can be raked up. There is nothing that can be done to prevent algae from occurring on a soil surface except to make the conditions better for the growth of the grass. T'Jhere the grass is dense and the ground surface not overly moist, algae do not appear. Very often areas troubled by algae are poorly drained. Frequently there is not adequate sunlight for good turf growth, and the problem is accentuated if there are many shrubs, trees, and other objects to block the movement of air and hence keep the soil surface moist over long periods. Any improvement that can be made in these fundamental factors will be beneficial. Then it is a matter of reseeding as required, adequate fertilization, and good maintenance. CCMING EVENTS October 18-19-20 November 16-17 November 27-30 Central Plains Turfgrass Conference Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas Arizona Turfgrass Conference University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona American Society of Agronomy Meetings Sheraton-Jefferson Hotel St. Louis, Missouri Mid-Continent Turf letter USGA GREEN SECTION B U LK R A TE U.S. POSTAGE P A ID College Station, Texas Permit N o. 80 D r. James B.. Beard Farm Crops D e p t. Michigan State Univeraj East Lansing, MicE.