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[LEWIE

This NEWSLETTER is published
monthly by the Greenkeepers Club of
New England, and sent free to its members and their Green's Chairmen. Subscription price ten cents a copy, or a
dollar a year.
GUY C. WEST
Editor

Mr. Baker led those present in a personally conducted tour of the plots, explaining that the plots were used as a
means of answering some of the questions asked by their customers, and
hence were really a means whereby the
company could be of better service to
its
customers.
Rhode Island C o u n t r y Club
Mr.
Lindley in his address of welcome
W e s t B a r r i n g t o n , R. I.
announced
that it was planned to have
GEORGE J. ROMMELL, JR.
a
bulb
display
at the gardens adjacent
Business Mgr. to the turf plots
next Spring of over
54 E d d y St., W e s t Newton, Mass.
150,000 bulbs.
A display in the registration tent of
September, 1939
Vol. 11, No. 9 various
methods of merchandising seed
mixtures was of interest.
Contributing Editors
Homer Darling
R. A. Mitchell
Howard Farrant
Charles Parker
Prize winners of the New Bedford
Prank Wilson
tournament in August were Ed. Patnoad of Meadowbrook, R. I. Association
The ideas and opinions expressed in winner,
first net.
the subject matter of this NEWSAlso:
LETTER are not necessarily those of
Paul Hayden—83-18-65.
the Editor or the members of the club
Phil Cassidy—82-13-69.
as a whole.
Guy West—88-17-71.
Frank Wilson—96-24-72.
SEPTEMBER MEETING

The regular September meeting was
held on the 11th at the Marshfield
Country Club, Marshfield, Mass. A
demonstration of the Terferator was
held in the morning.
The annual club championship was
won by Emil Mashie with a fine gross
score of 74. The runner-up was Maurice
Ryan with a score of 81.
Net prizes were won by:
Harold Mosher—91-67.
Henry Mitchell—100-74.
John Counsell—91-75.
S. Braio—100-76.
John Latvis—100-23-77.
N. Sperandio—87-10-77.

The following news item has been
sent us:
Dr. O. J. Noer, Chief Agronomist of
the Sewerage Commission gave his
colored slide lecture to an assembled
group of 40 greenkeepers and pro-greenkeepers at the Augusta Country Club
on the evening of August 21st.
The arrangements were in charge of
Frank A. Gilman, pro-greenkeeper of
the local club. An excellent steak dinner was served preceding the lecture.
Dr. Noer advised the greenkeepers to
reseed into the fairway areas which
were killed by the extended drought.
He said it was a little early to make sure
how much of the apparent dead grass
would revive itself. This old dead grass
should be raked off before seeding unless
WOODRUFF FIELD DAY
the new seed could be drilled into the
by a mechanical alfalfa and seed
Over two hundred golf course, park, soil
and cemetery superintendents, as well drill.
as many research men, met on September 13th at the Woodruff test plots at
Milford, Conn, for the annual Woodruff
James Lawson . for many years greenField Day. The program was in charge keeper
at the Misquamicut Golf Club,
of C. W. Baker, but the entire Wood- Watch Hill,
R. I., has recently resigned,
ruff organization, from the Grass Seed and the position
has been filled by Oscar
Division office staff in charge of regis- Chapman, greenkeeper
for the past ten
tration to Vice President P. H. Lindley, years at nearby Winnapaug
Hills, and
who welcomed the gathering, were busy prior to that assistant greenkeeper
at
making all guests welcome.
Misquamicut.
r

R. I. GREENKEEPERS FIELD DAY

A very successful tenth annual
Greenkeepers Field Day was held at the
R. I. State College on September 18th.
The usual trip to the experimental
plots for inspection and discussion of
the various experiments being conducted there was in charge of Drs. De
France and Erwin. The various plots
of putting green grasses and strains,
some of which are now over ten years
old, and others new, continue to be of
interest. Fertilizer experiments, including various ratios, sources of nitrogen;
comparison of individual plants from
promising strains, and several other experiments were all explained by those in
charge. A plot of Piper velvet bent a
year old, sown from seed at rate of
% pound per thousand square feet now
has made a fine sod, and compares
favorably with a like plot beside it
planted with stolons.
The speaking program following lunch
was in charge of Dr. Basil E. Gilbert as
toastmaster. Pres. R. G. Bressler of the
college extended greetings and welcomed the men to the campus. Dr. DeFrance read a letter from Mr. E. K.
Thomas, Chief, Div. Forests, Parks, and
Parkways. Mr. Thomas was to have
been the principal speaker, but was unable to be present. Several points in
Mr. Thomas' letter were of interest and
were discussed by Dr. DeFrance and
others. Greetings from various greenkeeping organizations were given by
Pres. Jack Counsell of the Greenkeepers Club of New England, Pres. Andy
Lentine of the Conn. Association and
Guy West of the R. I. Association. A
^ ^ letter from Kent Bradley of Paterson,
N. J. was read.
At the annual meeting of the R. I.
Greenkeepers Association, the 1938-39
officers were re-elected. These officers
are: Guy C. West, president; R. W.
Peckham, vice president; Dr. J. A. DeFrance, secretary; Martin Greene,
treasurer.
Late in the afternoon several went to
the Point Judith C. C. to inspect their
new Piper velvet greens, and some to
play a few holes as time permitted.
1

Our congratulations to the Arthur
Andersons of Brae Burn on the arrival
on July 20th of a real husky now known
as Paul Arthur! Another future Greenkeeper, Andy?

NEW JERSEY NEWS

Two meetings in the same month, kept
some of us stepping about. The first
was held on July 10th, at Forsgate
Country Club. Here, our host Percy G.
Piatt, the course superintendent, showed
us traps — that are, to say the least,
"terrific." Like the old vaudeville days,
they run 10-20-30. Not price of admission, but depth in feet. No kiddin',
your correspondent stood at the bottom
of one trap, to take a photo of the boys
up on the edge of the green bank. The
photo distance meter showed that they
were 30 feet away—mostly up.
They say that greensmen that have
worked there some time—have one leg
shorter than the other from standing on
the banks—and if they turn to walk
along the slope the other way—they go
rolling down into the sand. Seems as
if we heard that the mules are like this
in the Ozark mountain regions. Piatt's
greens were in excellent shape—seaside
bent, not a weed visible. His largest
green is some 20,400 square feet—the
total for the 18 holes is two hundred
thousand—all hand mowed.
The last day of July we gathered at
Homestead Golf Club, Spring Lake, N. J.
Traps are more lady-like here. Greens—
excellent, seaside bent, but of still finer
texture than those of Forsgate. Supt.
Schenker said he uses seed delivered in
sealed cans. May be something to this—
canned oil, canned beer, canned music,
canned soup, and even canned—nuts.
Anyway, the greens were in great
shape. Seems that down South Jersey
way they built courses with more care
than up our way. Down there they
used plenty of top soil, well rotted
manure, sharp sand, and made up a
good seed bed—deep enough for grass
roots to find a design for living.
Our speakers of the evening were
headed by Dr. John Monteith, who gave
a progressive report on demonstration
turf plots set out in various parts of
the country.
Next we had several club officials each
say a few words: the green chairman,
Mr. F. F. Schock' of Homestead, and
some from Trenton Country Club.
An exotic touch was given the meeting by the presence of Senior J. F.
Andia, Greenkeeper of the Havana
Country Club. This gentleman from the
Paris of the West Indies gave us a new
slant on greenkeeping. Acapulco, Angel-

ton, Cantamazo, Bermuda, and our old
friend Italian Rye, are the turf grasses
of Cuba. Top soil varying from six
inches to six f e e t deep, rainfall as high
as fourteen inches a month. Cut greens
twice a day—some days. Greensmen's
wages—one dollar and a half—for eight
hours.
When we got up from table, we saw
a reel of colored movie film taken by
Prof. Dickinson of Mass. State College,
during our Eastern Sectional Meeting.
G. S. A. President Ermer, and N. J.
Pres. Ed. Cale may next be headed for
Hollywood—. Only trouble with the
film was the absence of glamour gals.
Next, we saw and heard a sound film,
"The Soil", through the courtesy of the
American Agricultural Chemical Co.
Sitting back looking on makes one
realize that our work is largely the
finishing touches of processes that may
begin hundreds, yes, thousands of miles
away from our little patch of green—
on the world so big.
Percy G. Piatt, has responded to the
call for a volunteer reporter for continuing this feature of New Jersey
news. Thanks Perc, good luck,—and
don't take any plaster of paris golf
balls.
Kent Bradley.

near future and meet with them. To
this, the N. J. Association accepted.
Preliminary work in preparing for the
G. S. A. Conference in New York in
February of next year was started.
Much must be done between now and
next February.
About forty attended the dinner so
ably prepared by the manager of the
club. Among those present besides the
brothers from Westchester County, were
Dr. C. C. Hamilton and Mr. Thomas C.
Longnecker of the N. J. Experiment
Station at New Brunswick, N. J. and
Mr. W. E. Lafkin of the Golf and Lawn
Supply Co. of Scarsdale, N. Y. Mr. Lafkin brought along his slide camera,
and showed us some pictures of the injury on greens and fairways caused by
last years heavy rains, also pictures
showing the good results obtained on
these same areas by reseeding. These
were all very helpful and interesting.
All eyes turned to the Turf Growers
Field Day at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, New Brunswick, N. J., held on September 12, 1939.
We in Jersey saw many of our brothers
from nearby sections.
Percy G. Piatt.

TURF FIELD DAY AT THE NEW
JERSEY AGRICULTURAL EXThe New Jersey Greenkeeping SuperPERIMENT STATION

intendents' Association met August 28th
at the Mountain Ridge Country Club,
West Caldwell, N. J. Superintendent
Arthur Burton, the host, greeted us all
upon arrival and made us all feel indeed welcome. By the way, for all
those who do not know it, Arthur is the
treasurer of the N. J. Association, and
has been since its organization. Arthur's
greens were in exceptionally fine condition, considering the spell of miserable
weather we have just been through. In
fact, the general condition of the whole
course, was indeed a credit to the able
superintendent.
The attendance at the N. J. meetings
have certainly been something to talk
about. All members are taking more
interest and activity in the doings of
the association. Thirty-five members
were present, including some of the
superintendents from Westchester
County, N. Y. A number of our
brothers from Westchester County gave
some very interesting talks and all expressed the wish, that the N. J. members come to Westchester County in the

^

by Dr. H. B. Sprague
Approximately 200 people attended
the annual turf field day on the experimental plots of the New Jersey Experiment Station, New Brunswick, N. J. on
September 12. Three points of i n t e r e s t ^ ^
were specifically covered during the day.
One of these was the great value of
lime when used in conjunction with
other soil improving materials. The
principal benefits derived from the
proper use of lime include the great increase in the ability of the soil to take
in moisture and maintain satisfactory
growth in dry periods, the correction of
sod-bound condition by stimulating the
normal decay of the annual crop of
grass roots, thereby increasing soil
humus, and the improvement in ability
of grass to utilize nitrogen fertilizer
present in the form of ammonia. In
many of the strips where lime had been
applied in contrast to adjoining areas
with no lime, the turf covered was complete and thrifty in comparison with

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VELVET BENT GRASS SEED
The finest of all turf grasses for
golf greens.

Check mailed within 48 hours
after balls are received.

Strains for sale: Emerald & Raritan
Purity—95%, Inert matter—4%,
Other grasses—0.1%,
Germination—85%.

Known to the trade for 15 years.
Get our prices before selling.

Inquire of your seed dealer, or
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E a s t e r n G o l f Co.

244 WEST 42nd STREET
New York, N. Y.

Emerald

Newton

Farm

New Jersey

(Growers of Velvet Bent Grass Seed)

only 50 to 60% coverage. The difference was most striking where no artificial water had been given during the
summer to off-set the effects of the
severe drought.
The second feature of the day was
the display of new species and strains
of grasses, particularly those which had
been claimed to be capable to producing turf without mowing. Although
several species had required little or no
mowing during the dry season, they were
poorly adapted and suffered severely
from the drought. The general conclusion was that standard species and
strains were still preferable because of
the better quality of turf produced, and
mowing w as not yet to be discarded.
The essentials of crab grass control
were likewise displayed, with a large
number of plots showing no crab grass
at all, in contrast with heavily infested
areas nearby where the essential factors
for crab grass had not been followed.
The control measures include the proper use of lime and a complete commercial fertilizer in fall, the introduction of aggressive grass species
where this is necessary, the maintenance of a height of cut of 1 % inches
or longer, beginning in early spring and
continuing throughout the summer, and
the use of artificial watering only when
absolutely necessary, and the practice of
watering deeply whenever additional
moisture is needed.
New circulars on the use of Velvet
bent for putting Greens and Other Pine
Turf, and on control of white grubs,
were distributed to those present.
These publications may be obtained from
the New Jersey Experiment Station on
request.
r

VELVET BENT GRASS FOR PUTTING
GREENS AND OTHER FINE TURF

Howard B. Sprague, Agronomist
(Circular 393 from N. J. Agri. Ex. Sta.)
Velvet Bent grass (Agrostis canina)
is a distinct species of grass but is related to the other bent grasses commonly used for closely cut turf. Although some commercial mixtures of
grass seed have been called "velvet"
such mixtures are not to be confused
with this grass with its distinctive
characteristics and superior texture of
turf produced. Velvet Bent is. well
named, since the foliage is very dense,

the leaves are extremely narrow and
erect, and the sod gives the general appearance of a luxuriant green velvet.
Velvet Bent grass spreads slowly by
creeping stems, and is very persistent
when once established. The improved
strains of this species are superior to
other grasses for putting greens, grass
tennis courts, and similar areas where
closely cut turf is required. Unlike the
other bent grasses, Velvet Bent is also
well adapted to growth in shaded areas
and is tolerant of droughty and poor
soils. Velvet Bent is also an excellent
lawn grass, since, unlike creeping bent,
it does not tend to become matted and
unthrifty when cut at lawn height.
Improved Strains

In recent years commercial seed supplies have been established of several
improved strains, such as Kernwood,
Piper, Emerald, and a new strain developed at the N. J. Experiment Station
called Raritan Velvet Bent. Raritan
Velvet has been substantially superior
to other strains in tests at New Brunswick. Seed of these strains is not only
better adapted to the soils and climate
of this region than the unselected commercial Velvet, but also produces a
better quality turf which is more resistant to diseases.
Planting New Putting Greens

The soil conditions desired in establishing new turf with Velvet Bent grass
seed are similar to those for most other
grasses. There should be good drainage
both at the surface and within the soil,
since this permits deeper root growth
and greater durability of the sod. The
soil should be limed to correct excessive
acidity and improved with a complete
fertilizer to provide an adequate supply
of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash. The
incorporation of well-decomposed organic matter to a depth of several inches
is also desirable. Since the seed of Velvet Bent grass is exceedingly small (approximately 10 million to the pound),
there is no necessity for planting more
than 2 pounds per thousand square ft.
In order that a uniform stand be obtained, the required seed should be
mixed with screened soil or compost, to
give greater volume, and broadcast uniformly over the surface. After planting, the soil should be raked lightly,
care being taken not to plant too deeply. The seedbed should be kept moderately moist with a fine spray if necessary, until the grass is well established.
The ideal season for new seedings of

^

SPECIAL SEME8AN

1. Effective in both prevention and cure of large
brown patch and dollar spot, even under adverse
conditions.
2. Does not burn, "thin" or otherwise injure the
turf when used at recommended strength.
3. Gives greater coverage—one pound treats 6,000
PECIAL
square feet of turf (average green) for as little
EMESAN
as $1.23.
®olf „ Lawn Turf»
4. Easily applied in water solution or dry with
compost. No damage to sprayers.
5. Fewer applications required—saves needless
labor.
6. Contains two organic mercuries f o r quick,
longer-lasting protection.
5 lbs. $7.00
25 lbs. $33.00
100 lbs. $122.85

S

A.

I

umssm

—Seedsmen Since 1818—

85 State Street—Boston, Mass.
NATURAL HUMUS

WINTER HARDY—ACCLIMATED

Some of the essential facts e v e r y g r e e n keeper should know about H u m u s :
1 — T y p e of peat or h u m u s .
2 — S t a t e of decomposition.
3—Water

abaility
(on d r y basis).
4 — N o r m a l moisture content (as sold).
5 — P e r c e n t of organic m a t t e r .
Percent of m i n e r a l m a t t e r .

A

absorbing

(on wet and d r y basis).
6—pH—acidity.
7 — L i m e or calcium content.
8 — M a g n e s i u m content.

Our

New

MR.
of

RHODE ISLAND
CREEPING
VELVET

England

JOSEPH

Cromwell,

Conn,

the above

questions

is mailed

Representative,

WHITEHEAD
will

gladly

answer

if a postcard

to h i m .

Highland Humus Corp.
HIGHLAND, N. Y.

GRASS SEED
and Fairway Mixtures

of h i g h e s t quality for lowest price t h a t
seed of equal quality can b e offered.
NATURE HAS WRITTEN A PRES C R I P T I O N f o r your course. Right
here in s o u t h e r n N e w E n g l a n d is t h e
n a t u r a l home of t h e entire family of
the B e n t grasses, the principal m e m b e r
of which, n a m e l y R . I. Bent, derived
its n a m e f r o m this, the smallest s t a t e
in the union.
You c a n grow N A T U R E ' S O W N I N S U R A N C E into y o u r turf b y using
F R E S H , V I A B I j E seed which grows i n
Y O U R latitude i n Y O U R country.

SAVE for your club: Buy your seed
direct f r o m the grower.

A. N. PECKHAM

KINGSTON

RHODE ISLAND

IV»»'
Gt«

ns

c n

You n a t u r a l l y want to get the

most value f o r your seed

dollar.

(That always goes over big with the
committee.)

At the same time, how-

ever, you want to be certain of using
the seed best adapted
conditions.

off to d e p e n d
experience

to your soil

T h a t ' s why we tip you
on Woodruff.

Their

is unequalled when it

comes to grasses native in this section
of New England.

Simply write and

put your problems up to us.
Distributed

CRASS

by New England

SEED

Toro Co.

DIVISION

H.
WOODRUFF
J'.'«'nil
y Jt . /.m.-,'
MIIFORO..'«»'CONN.

AND
SONS
INC.

T H E 51GN O F

TOLEDO.
COOQ
SEEDS

OHIO

Velvet Bent grass is in early fall, although early spring plantings are also
successful. The grass will survive plantings at other seasons quite satisfactorily
if kept adequately watered and if
weeded to prevent undue competition
from crab grass and similar pests.
Where Velvet Bent is to be used for
fine turf, mowing should begin as soon
as the seedlings have reached a height
of one half-inch. The height of cut
should be gradually reduced with successive cuttings until a height of threeeights inch is reached. The normal
quality of turf will be obtained more
rapidly when handled in this fashion
than when the grass is allowed to grow
to a greater length. To develop smoothness of soil surface and to avoid scalping of high spots in such close mowing,
top-dressings of well-prepared compost
should be made after each cutting.
Regular Care of Closely Cut
Velvet Bent Turf

Velvet Bent turf occasionally tends to
produce seed stalks in May and early
June. These stems can be removed
readily by raking or brushing prior to

each mowing or by mowing with a
brushing attachment on the machine
ahead of the cutting unit. When properly managed, Velvet Bent has no tendency to become coarse or "grainy" at
any season of the year. It is recommended that a mowing height of fivesixteenths inch be maintained on established Velvet Bent during most of the
growing season. This height, however,
may be reduced to one-fourth inch in
cool periods if necessary for a satisfactory playing surface. As in the case
of other grasses, exceedingly close
mowing reduces the root system and
vigor of the grass and, consequently,
should be avoided.
Lime applications should be made at
intervals of 2 or 3 years in the
amounts required to prevent the development of soil acidity. The fertilization
program should be such that there will
be an adequate supply of phosphate and
potash, as well as nitrogen, in the soil.
Ten to fifteen pounds of a 5-10-5 or
similar fertilizer per thousand square
feet, applied in early spring and again
in fall, should take care of the phosphate
and potash needs. Additional nitrogen
fertilizer may be required during the
remainder of the growing season to
maintain slow but steady growth. Regular top-dressings with a compost of
sandy loam texture, reasonably high in
organic matter, should be made as necessary to maintain a firm resilient turf and
to keep the putting surface true.
Where turf has previously been
treated to control grubs, it is recommended that lead arsenate be applied
at the rate of 2 pounds per thousand
square feet, mixed with equal amounts
of compost or some other suitable carrier, in late May or early June, and
again in the latter part of the summer,
to prevent any injuries from sod webworm and the grubs of beetles. Although Velvet Bent is apparently more
resistant to brown patch disease than are
other bent grasses, regular treatments
with mercury compounds are desirable.
With the aforementioned management practices, competition of weeds
should be a minor difficulty on Velvet
Bent turf. If crab grass or other weeds
become established, however, they should
be removed by hand weeding as soon a.s
they appear. Control of clover is usually
much less difficult on Velvet Bent turf
than on other turf and is readily accomplished by proper feeding with
soluble nitrogenous fertilizers during'
the growing season.

The first consideration is whether it is
an improved strain, as noted above, since
unselected seed will perform less satisfactorily than the superior strains. The
second consideration is the purity. It is
desirable to obtain Velvet Bent grass
which is at least 85 per cent pure, with
less than 5 per cent of other grasses.
The weed seed content should be less
than one-half per cent. For production
of pure Velvet turf, the presence of
redtop is less objectionable than Colonial bent or creeping bent, since the redtop will readily disappear under regular
mowing, whereas the other species will
persist and produce an uneven duality
of turf. The germination of Velvet
Bent seed should be 80 per cent or
higher. Velvet Bent seed is more expensive to produce and therefore sells
at a higher price than seed of other
grasses. The cost of seeding Velvet
Bent should be calculated, however, on
the basis of the area to be planted
rather than on the cost of the seed per
pound. The number of seeds per pound
Purchase of Seed
of various turf species, and the average
In purchasing Velvet Bent seed it is seeding rates, are given in the followessential to note the quality of the seed. ing table:
Velvet Bent Grass for Lawns

When Velvet Bent grass is used in
lawn mixtures with other grasses for
shaded locations, or is grown alone
either in sunny areas or in the shade,
the requirements for growth and the
details of management are similar to
those of other lawn grasses. Under such
treatment, Velvet Bent produces turf
much denser and finer in texture than
that of other species. When seeded in
mixtures, not more than 5 per cent of
the total weight need be made up of
Velvet Bent, since this will provide a
very large percentage of the total
number of seeds in each pound. Velvet
Bent seeded alone on lawns may be
planted at the rate of 1 pound per
thousand square feet, which will provide 10,000 seeds for each square foot,
with even distribution. There is no advantage from heavier plantings, since
dense stands of plants allow less opportunity for individual seedlings to become well established.

Grass Species

Velvet Bent
Colonial Bent
Seaside Bent
Redtop
Kentucky Bluegrass
Chewing's Fescue

Approximate
Number of Seeds
per Pound
10,000,000
6,000,000
4,000,000
4,000,000
1,700,000
500,000

Average Seeding Rattes
of Individual Grasses
per 1 , 0 0 0 Sq. Ft.
Lawns
Putting Greens
Pounds
Pounds
1
2
2
4
4
2
3
5

3

—

10

lii i * 2 i m m S e e d for F a l l

20

Sowing

The hot, dry Summer exacted a terrific toll and much re-seeding of
lawns, fairways and greens will be necessary. Fall, all good greenskeepers
know, is an ideal time for this -work. Perry's is the ideal place to secure
supplies of Highest Grade seed of Bents, Fescues, Red Top and Kentucky Blue.
We will gladly quote on application.
Fertilizers, too—Country Club, 8-6-2 for Putting Greens, $2.90 per
100 lbs., or Country Club, 8-6-4 for Fairways at $2.70 in ton lots.

P E R R Y SEEBi
12-13 Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, Mass.

COMPANY

Tel. LAF. 6500

TALKS

ON

TREES

By E. Porter Felt
Little sack-like enlargements on the
leaves of soft maple and American elm
are extremely common on some trees
in midsummer.
These peculiar growths are produced
by tiny plant mites, microscopic in size.
They are hardly visible to the naked
eye. These plant mites winter under
the bud scales and produce their peculiar bladder-like swellings or galls on
the developing foliage. Those on the
soft maples are about a fifth of an inch
long, frequently somewhat pear shaped,
green at first, later turning to a brilliant red. Within each gall one may
find literally hundreds, possibly thousands, of the mites. Occasionally most
of the leaves on good sized trees are
badly deformed.
A similar gall, likewise produced by
mites, occurs in great numbers on
American elms. The galls are about a
sixth of an inch long, tapering both at
the point of attachment to the leaf and
at the tip, and like the maple galls are
inhabited by tiny plant mites. A great
proportion of the leaves of large elms
may be disfigured with these growths.
The mites which produce galls are
peculiar in that they are somewhat pear
shaped and have only four legs, whereas most mites are provided with eight.
The gall producing plant mites are
closely related to the more common
blister mite of the pear and apple. This
pest produces a brownish, flattened
swelling on the leaf. There was a time
when the blister mite was regarded as a
serious pest in fruit orchards. It is still
abundant occasionally on unsprayed
apple and pear trees.
There are hundreds of species of
plant mites, each restricted to one or a
series of closely related plants. Many
live in velvety or pile-like patches on
the leaves. The mites irritate the tender
leaf surface and cause the abnormal
hairy growths which provide them with
both food and shelter.
President
Secretary
Treasurer
Chairman
Chairman
Chairman
Chairman
Chairman

The gall producing mites mentioned
above are readily controlled by a dormant spray of oil or lime sulfur.
The tap root is an important part of
the root system of certain trees.
The conditions observed after thousands of trees had been uprooted by the
hurricane led to some discussion in relation to the tap root and its importance. Many young trees develop a tap
root which is an important part of the
root system for a considerable period.
This is true of hickories, beeches and
oaks. The dominance of the tap root
in the early development of the tree
had led to the assumption by many that
such conditions persist throughout the
life of the tree.
The same general principles govern
the development of roots as determine
the growth of branches. Roots grow
where there is a supply of moisture and
oxygen in the soil as well as fertility. It
is evident that the tap root cannot penetrate underlying rock, hardpan or water
logged soil because this last condition
shuts off the air supply. The area surrounding the young tree usually possesses as much moisture and plant food
as that beneath the tree and the supply
increases with the spread of the roots.
The enlarged feeding area is favorable
to root growth and after a tree has attained the age of fifty years or more,
it is easy to see that outlying soil areas
are likely to contain more plant food
and more moisture than those immediately under a sizable trunk where earlier
root action has reduced nutrients to a
minimum. These conditions suggest the
lateral roots may largely supplant the
important tap root of the young tree.
Investigation in Europe of the root de- ^ ^
velopment of beech shows a dominant
tap root during the first twenty-five
years or thereabouts and a relatively
small tap root in the fifty year old tree.
Tap roots may penetrate to a depth
of some 15 feet in moderately dry, well
aerated soils, but as the tree ages, the
lateral roots become more important in
absorbing the under-ground requirements of trees.

OFFICERS' DIRECTORY

John Counsell, 5 Ellsworth Rd., Peabody,
Philip Cassidy, 45 Grosvenor Rd., Needham,
Frank Wilson, Charles River C. C., Newton Centre,
Enter. Comm
Sam S. Mitchell, Ponkapoag G. C., Canton,
Golf Comm
Lloyd G. Stott, Meadow Brook G. C., Reading,
Welfare Comm
Edwin Hansen, Concord C. C., Concord,
Employ. Comm. . . . Arthur Anderson, 358 Fuller St., W. Newton,
Trustees
George Rommell, Jr., 54 Eddy St., West Newton,

Mass.
Mass.
Mass.
Mass.
Mass.
Mass,
Mass.
Mass.

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Loose Soil Texture
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Easy Means For Fertilizing
Ideal Watering

This Work Can Now Be Done For You
For information write:

J. W H I T E H E A D

Box 203-A

Cromwell, Conn.

NEW ENGLAND DISTRIBUTORS OF

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Tractors and Gang Mower Combinations of 3-5-7 Units
Rollers—Spikers—Sod Cutters Soil Screens

BUCKNER — Fairway — Tee — Green Sprinklers and Valves
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New England Toro Co.
DISTRIBUTORS FOR NEW ENGLAND
1121 Washington St., West Newton
— WESt New. 1658
— S a y you saw it in the NEWSLETTER—

WORTHINGTON MOWING EQUIPMENT
adds to your efficiency in giving your
members a better golf
course at substantial
savings.
Worthington equipment
pays for itself quickiy in
time, money and man-power
saved
for other necessary
maintenance work and in
m e m b e r - satisfaction
with
improved
playing surfaces.
New, while you can watch
tEie

performance

of

old

or

The

famous

Worthington
for

obsolete machinery, is the Golf Chief, streamlined
time to consider the savings beauty and utility.
you can effect in repairs
alone by replacement with modern, up-to-date Worthington e q u i p m e n t . You, too, can h a v e a course o f
c h a m p i o n s h i p caliber.
In the last 15 years 46 out
of 60 c h a m p i o n s h i p courses chosen for the U. S.,
British and Canadian Open and the U. S. Amateur
Championships used Worthington mowing equipment.
C. M. S A W T E L L E
New England Distributor
3 W a l k e r Terrace
Cambridge,
Telephone: Trowbridge 7491

Mass.

£Tear out and mail this coupon, today, for handsome, illustrated
catalogue showing how you can get increased efficiency and give
\jour members a belter golf course at the same time.
C

Uiorthington
M o w e r Gmpam
STROUDSBURG • PENNSYLVANIA

Sales Agencies: All Printipal Cities

W o r t h i n g t o n Golf Chief and
7 - g a n g mower, which we believe,
is the
fastest,
most
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W o r t h i n g t o n Overgreen shown
in use at the famous Yale
University Golf Course.
One
man with one Overgreen can
cut the full 18 holes—including travel between greens—
in five hours.

WORTHINGTON MOWER COMPANY
Stroudsburg, Pa., Dept. NL/S.
Please send catalogue on your equipment at no
obligation.
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