M I D - W E S T E RN D I S T R I CT ROOM 241, LASALLE HOTEL CHICAGO 2, ILLINOIS T E L E P H O N E: STATE 2 - 7 4 85 S O U T H W E S T E RN D I S T R I CT TEXAS A &M COLLEGE COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS T E L E P H O N E: VICTOR 6 - 5 2 10 M i d - C o n t i n e nt T u r f l e t t er No. U August - 1958 D R. M A R V IN H. F E R G U S ON MID-CONTINENT DIRECTOR NATIONAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR J A M ES L. H O L M ES MID-WESTERN AGRONOMIST J A M ES B. M O N C R I EF SOUTHWESTERN AGRONOMIST WATERING PUTTING GREENS Watering is one of the most difficult phases of putting green management. Putting green management was discussed by Dr. Victor B. Youngner of UCLA in the July 1958 issue of Southern California Turfgrass Culture. His discussion of watering applies to so many areas that his words are reproduced for your benefit. "Greens, like all turf, should be v/atered according to the need. Frequency of watering will depend upon the soil, weather, and rooting depth of the grass. In general, sufficient water should be applied at each irrigation to thoroughly wet the soil below the root zone. Sometimes it may be necessary to hand water carefully between the regular irrigations. For best grass growth, it is wrong to water a green excessively in order to maintain the softness desired by the golfer. A green built on a good soil, high in sand, and given regular aerification, will not become hard. Early morning watering will reduce diseases and take the place of poling to remove dew. During periods of high tempera- ture or warm winds, frequent light syringing of the greens may be necessary to prevent wilting and subsequent loss of the turf. Seldom is it possible to water all greens on a course on one program or schedule. Every green must be watered according to its own individual specific requirements. Proper watering of greens demands the maximum in skill, knowledge and observation from the superintendent. The best man on the superintendent's staff should be assigned to1 this job." Reported at the 1958 American Society of Agronomy Meetings NOTES ON RESEARCH R. R. Davis, of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station at Wooster, Ohio reported the results of a 5-year study of grass species mixtures, which were mowed at dif- ferent heights. Astoria bentgrass dominated the turf after 5 years when it was included in the mixture. It spread into some plots where it was not planted. Invasion was more serious at a 3/4" height of cut than at 2". The survival of bluegrass and fescues was favored by high mowing. Jim Beard, of Purdue University, who is working on a bentgrass nutrition project supported in part by a U.S.GoA. Green Section Research and Education Fund Grant, reports that most roots are produced at a temperature of 60° F. Roots also grow well at 70° F. and 80° F. but their growth falls off rapidly when temperatures rise to 90° F. Incidentally, it was Jim's "body without a head" that was reproduced recently in Life Magazine. Jim's head was in a glass lined box underground - studying bentgrass roots, of course. Professor C. D. Jeffries, of Perm State University, based his recommendations for potash use in turf on the results of fundamental studies extending over a 15-year period. In Professor Jeffries' word, "The results of the experiment suggest that: (l) Frequent applications of smaller amounts of potash would improve the potash status materially; (2) nitrogen should always be applied with potassium under these management practices and particularly on putting greens; (3) when top dressing greens with nitrogen, potash should always be included in the top dressing." * * * * * *x * * * * * * * ** * * ** Homegrown Sheep Fescue Seed Some years ago Bill Stupple, superintendent at Exmoor Country Club in the Chicago area, tried to obtain Sheeps Fescue seed from local suppliers. He found that it was necessary to purchase this seed from England, which he did. Bill has estab- lished Sheeps Fescue in many of his rough areas and it has given an excellent performance in shade and drier locations. When Bill needs extra seed, he simply allows his "nursery plot" to mature. He then cuts the "hay" and scatters it - seed and all - over the area to be seeded. Not only is the area well seeded, but the "hay" acts as a mulch - that's using your head, BillJ * * X XX X X X X XXX X XXX XXX Mechanical Trap Raking Adolph Bertucci, or rather Adolph's crew, grew tired of hand raking hardened and firm sand traps. So Adolph retired to his toolroom and after due language and sweat, emerged with a pretty nifty device for loosening and raking said sand traps. Adolph's "Rube Goldberg" consists of a harrow-tooth device with the teeth alter- nating in two rows. The teeth are about 3 to U inches apart and the second row is about 6 to 8 inches behind the first row of teeth. The harrow is attached to an old Toro "Overgreen." Adolph says that this device reduces sand trap raking time by a factor of three at least. The appearance of Mr. Bertucci's course indicates that sand traps as well as the entire course are well taken care of. Joe Hadwick is a Skeptic - and That's a Complimenti Joe Hadwick, capable superintendent at Lincoln Country Club, Lincoln, Nebraska, was born skeptical - at least that's what his father says. In any event, Joe insists on testing any chemical he plans to use for the first time on a small area, regardless of past performance for others or general acceptance of the chemical. Joe has a pet fairway, adjacent to his shop, which has received such a quantity and quality of chemicals, we hear that two large chemical manufacturers are bidding for mining rights. Through his efforts, Joe has learned that, for him: 1. It often takes larger quantities of a given chemical to do the job. 2. With certain chemicals, soil moisture must be adequate if satisfactory results are to be obtained. 3. Some chemicals are - real hot! FIELD DAYS AND TURFGRASS CONFERENCES September 15-16 September 23-24 September 30 October 15-16-17 October 24 ,Midwest Turf Foundation Field Days Purdue University Lafayette, Indiana Ohio Lawn and Ornamentals Days Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station Wooster, Ohio St. Louis Field Day Clayton, Missouri Central Plains Turfgrass Conference Kansas State College Manhattan, Kansas New Mexico Turfgrass Conference New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts State College, New Mexico Continent Turf letter USGA GREEN SECTION Sec. 34.66 P.L.&R. U. S. POSTAGE I V2i PAID College Station, Texas Permit No. 80 Dr/J. R* Watson, Jr# Chief Agronomist Toro Mfgt Corporation Minneapolis 6, Minn»