" A s l o n g as y o u C A R R Y O N y o u are s t i l l g o i n g . If you stop, you are stopped." SMITH i B S M A H C H I 9 A 2 m MAKE EVERY HAMOiJR Sit 1942 SHUNT! A TORO 24" - 2 7 " - 30' STARLAWN WILL niHERicms T R I M POWER MOWER VALUE W I T R I M M O R E T H P m SOME O w toro m monEV! In t h e Starlawn, w e g i v e y o u far g r e a t e r s t r e n g t h , less w e i g h t , easier h a n d l i n g a n d m o r e for your dollar. E R O F T E N W i t h National Defense having first call on labor, and farmers with second, you will find it advisable to increase the daily area cut per man. Power mowing of Tees, Approaches, Aprons, and other medium height cut areas will be the universal method this year. Members will be limited in the number of balls this season. Therefore, every lost ball slows and perhaps limits the number of rounds played. Give the members a break by mowing those areas more often. We will gladly demonstrate obligation New the TORO to STARLAWN buy. England Toro Co. .V D I S T R I B U T O R S F O R N E W E N G L A N D 1121 W a s h i n g t o n S t . , W e s t N e w t o n — B I G e W 7 9 0 0 without, This NEWSLETTER is published by the Greenkeepers Club of New England, and sent free to its members and their Green's Chairman, Subscription price one dollar per year. HENRY C. MITCHELL, Editor 8 9 Peach Street, Walpole, Mass. Business EDWARD N . M U R P H Y , L. JOHN COUNSEL!,, Manager, Associate Editor, 2 Buck Street, Woburn, Mass. 5 Ellsworth Road, Peabody, Mass. March, 1942 Vol, 14, No. 2 The ideas and opinions are not necessarily expressed in the subject those of the Editor matter or the members of this NEWSLETTER of the club as a whole. CONTENTS February Meeting 4 "It's a 'Umbling Game" 5 The Marriage of Aquaseal to a Skating Pond 6 Sixteenth Annual Golf Conference at Amherst 8 National Conference at Chicago 10 N. E. Toro Co. Holds Equipment Show 10 GREENKEEPERS' S A M U E L S. M I T C H E L L , P H I L I P I . CASSIDY, FRANK. N, H. JOHN L. Secretary, Chairman COUNSELL, OFFICERS Ponkapoag Golf Club, Canton, Mass. Needham Golf Club, Needham, Mass. Treasurer, WILSON, JR., J . SPERANDIO, President, CLUB 543 Dedham Street, Newton Centre, Mass. Entertainment Committee, Marlboro, Mass. Chairman Welfare Committee, Peabody, Mass. Marlboro Country Club, Salem Country Club, Chairman Employment Committee Brae Burn Country Club, West Newton, Mass. A R T H U R ANDERSON, ALEX OHLSON, Chairman Golf Committee, Lexington Country Club, Lexington, Mass. The Greenkeepers' Club of New England was organized for the purpose of improving the Greenkeeping profession by conducting monthly meetings at which time appropriate speakers could be heard and mutual problems discussed to the benefit of all. Some twelve years ago, because of the vision and foresight of Guy West, one of our most enthusiastic members, the Newsletter was born. Its purpose was to bring the benefits of the club to members who, for one reason or another, were unable to attend all of our meetings. The exchange of ideas among us is most important at this period of sudden changes. Problems will be many and difficult in the near future. Our club and our Newsletter are more important than ever, and should have our full support. Any greenkeeper who has solved one of our mutual problems should share his success through the Newsletter. LON F E B R U A R Y MOORE MEETING The February meeting was held at the Waltham Field Station February 2nd and it was gratifying to see a large number of our members present. The American Agricultural Chemical Company provided a tasty lunch and the educational part of the meeting. An interesting moving picture showing the value of phosphorus in our food and its importance in the soil was enjoyed. The phosphate rock is obtained from deposits in Florida and then carried by pipe line to a nearby plant where it is cleaned, separated and dried. It is then shipped to distributing centers where it is ground up and treated for use as superphosphate or as a source of phosphorus in a fertilizer mixture. Dr. L. M. Weyker discussed the loss of plant food elements in the soil caused by leaching and plant assimilation. Lime drives out hydrogen and tends to loosen the soil. The penetration of lime into the soil is from one-half to one inch per year. Frequent light applications of lime are better than infrequent heavy treatments and the soil penetration is the same. Plants can use nitrogen in the form of ammonia. It does not have to be converted into the form of nitrate before becoming available as a plant food. The business meeting followed after a short recess. Clifton Sowerby submitted his resignation which was accepted with regret. "Clif" has not been engaged in the greenkeeping profession recently but he was very active in the Club about ten years ago, serving several terms as chairman of the golf committee. The proposed amendment to change the name of the Greenkeepers Club of New England to New England Greenkeeping Superintendents Association was defeated. Although the majority of the members present were in favor of the change, it failed by a single vote to obtain the two-thirds of the votes necessary for its adoption. A canvass of the members revealed that ninety per cent of those present were engaged in some form of voluntary civilian defense work. It was voted to give all members in the Armed Forces their memberships without charge for the duration. JACK COUNSELL USED GOLF BALLS WANTED Highest prices paid Check mailed within 48 hours after balls are received Known to the trade for 15 years Get our prices before selling EASTERN GOLF CO. 244 West 42nd Street, New York, N. Y. "IT'S A 'UMBLING GAME" by JACK COUNSELL When your tee shots split the fairway, two hundred yards or more, And you hit your irons down the slot as from a rifle bore But when your drives go slicing in yawning traps and rough And you hook or shank your irons, and everything goes tough The whole world seems delightful and everything's sublime, Life's worries and its problems are blotted from your mind. The sun don't seem to shine so bright, the world is not so gay And epithets escape your lips, that we never thought you'd say. When you stroke the ball with firmness, and your swing is in the groove And you chip them up close to the cup, and your putts are dropping, too, So why not take it as it comes, the bad days with the good, Just play the game for healthy sport, like all real golfers should. The elusive pars are not so scare, the game seems not so hard You like to talk about your score, you even save your card, S7 MSRICi! COUNTRY CLUB! FERTILIZER Jj A g r co 8 - 6 - 2 A g r co 6 - 8 - 2 A g r co 8 - 6 - 4 A g r nite Delivered 8 5 STATE pgr ton $56.07 $52.51 $52.51 $46.28 Some days you're bound to get the breaks, and temporary fame, For golf is a great leveler, it's sure a 'umbling game. FEEDING GOLF COURSES Each superintendent has his own ideas as to the care and management of his particular greens. When it comes to feeding there are so many different notions that almost no two are alike. Probably in no other case where fertilizers are used is there so much honest difference of opinion as to the most satisfactory plant foods to use and the best methods of application. The American Agricultural Chemical Company offers three Country Club grades, made especially for use on golf courses. For putting greens we especially recommend Agrico Country Club 8-6-2. This brand carries 50% of its nitrogen in organic form so that it is longlasting as well as quick acting. When applying to greens always mix the Agrico with 3 or 4 times its weight of sifted topsoil, compost, humus, or coarse sand and water in thoroughly, immediately after each application. Do NOT apply Agrico when grass is moist or wet or during periods of excessive drought or very high temperatures. STREET SEEDSMEN BOSTON, SINCE 1818 MASS. THE MARRIAGE TO A OF SKATING AQUASEAL POND As most of you know, Aquaseal is a trade name, for a clay like substance, called Bentonite, which is mined in Wyoming. This material has been used most successfully in damming reservoirs and other places where earth is used to dam up or control the leaching of water. If properly applied and enough material is used, a 100 per cent seal may be obtained where water is not flowing or moving very slowly. It has also been found that a 100 per cent seal has been effected, when applied at the rate of 100 lbs. to 100 sq. ft., with a flow of 4 to 6 m.p.h. It has been known to stop seepage where flow was 8 m.p.h. It has been used very successfully at Quabbin Dam, which is located in Enfield, Mass. This past fall we applied it to the Skating Pond at Wellesley Country Club. This pond is an equilateral triangle, 175 feet on each side, or about 15,000 sq. ft., and to this we applied 3 tons of Aquaseal. To date we find it very successful; one season, however, does nothing to prove it will always be good, or that it will be good under all conditions. We are always looking for ways to seal up something, which is too porous, or to drain something which is too impervious. Without realizing it, we spoil nature's balance very often when doing a job like this, so that curing one trouble will often bring on another, unless we are ready or prepared for it. There are one or two difficulties which we must overcome that were brought on by applying aquaseal. The first is at the point where the water flows in from the hydrant to flood the pond. The water flowing in at this point has gouged a large hole, and as a result, taken all the Bentonite out in that spot. A material, such as concrete or ashphalt or some similar hard and permanent material, would probably solve this problem if built out in a sort of delta formation. The second trouble is the fact that the aquaseal has sealed so well that it holds too much1 water. In other words, from one extreme to the other. There seems to be only one solution: some sort of drain that will control the depth of water in the pond. The thing which makes this a problem is that after a rainstorm the water will build up so high, over the old ice, that it was take several days to freeze f ^ i solid enough to be able to skate on it. For instance, in one of the rainstorms we recently had, water piled up from 18 inches in some places to 2 feet in other places. It was three days before we were able to skate on it again. On another occasion, with less than an inch of rain, we were unable to skate for two days, because of a six inch pile up of water. We applied the Aquaseal to the pond as follows: 1. In the late summer when the pond was dry, it was levelled off roughly, so that at all points there were no deep holes or high spots. 2. A Rototiller was brought in and the soil worked up with this to a depth of 8 inches. 3. All stones and debris brought to the surface, which were larger than your fist, were removed. 4. 2l/i tons of Aquaseal or Bentonite was then applied as evenly as possible to the surface. 5. Then the Rototiller went over the surface of the pond again, working the Aquaseal in to the depth of 4 inches. 6. Then 800 lbs. of Aquaseal was applied to the surface, and left that way. We kept 200 lbs. for any local leaks that might develop. At the new Weston Dam Bentonite did not work so well until applied under pressure. With this method pipes are driven into the base of the dam longitudinally, every 6 feet, then the Aqua- seal was mixed with water in a cement mixer, and was then pumped into these pipes under pressure, until it began to back up into its neighboring pipe, at which time the hose was shifted to the next pipe, etc. W "AGRICO CERTAINLY DOES A BETTER JOB C A U T I O N . — Use a mask of some type over the nose and mouth when applying this material, as it may be dangerous. This material has the power of w i i swelling to many times its original size on contact with moisture. There is a case of one individual who was unload"Agrico gets full credit for the exceptional results on greens. fairways and tees or hi it lot, ing a freight car load of Aquaseal, who l -i . Country Club." says W. H. Glover, Green- j keeping Supt. See details, hilou. went to sleep and did not wake up for U two days, and when he woke had a USE AGRICO FOR BEST RESULTS violent headache, which required the attention of a doctor. "TTXPERTS commented time and JUj again on the excellent condition George Rommell of our turf, less than a year old," writes W. H. Glover, Greenkeeping Help our Country by buying DeSupt., Fairfax Va. Country Club. "It is indeed exceptional to put down seed fense Bonds ond Stomps as often in September and October and be able as you can. to play on it by the following May 25th. The well-balanced plant foods in Agrico Country Club grades had much to do with these results. Agrico does a great job—we'll keep on using it." COMPLETE Results like this, on old turf and new, show that Agrico certainly does SERVICE & PARTS a better job . . . gives more plant-feeding efficiency per dollar. One Agrico for Greens . . . another Agrico for FOR Fairways . . . each specially formulated for its own purpose, with ail the needed CARS, TRUCKS, plant foods, both quick-acting and long-lasting, in just-right proportions. TRACTORS & SMALL Use Agrico for better results at less cost. Order from your local Agrico MOTOR EQUIPMENT office or dealer, or address below. Let our free Soil Service test your soil, give you full report. Use Agrico, see the difference it makes. W W V W S r V W W V V A Agrico Walihani Haionatlvs Corp, 215 Lexington WALTHAM, Tel. Wal. is Manufactured ONLY by The AMERICAN A G R I C U L T U R A L CHEMICAL Co. 50 Church Street, New York S3 Sales Offices in U. S. Canada and Cuba Street MASS. 2600-2691 AGRICO THE NATION'S LEADING FERTILIZER SIXTEENTH ANNUAL GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE CONFERENCE The following organizations are actively interested in this Sixteenth Conference: The Greenkeepers Club of New England, The Greenkeeping Superintendents Association. The Professional Golfers Association of America. The New Jersey Association of Golf Course Superintendents. The Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents. The Rhode Island Greenkeepers Association. The Northeastern New York Greenkeepers Association, Philadelphia Greenkeeping Superintendents Association. Friday, March I S Second Floor, Memorial MORNING Hall SESSION 10:30 Graduation Exercise—1942 Winter School for Greenkeepers. Two Short Papers—Prepared and presented by members of the Class of 1942. Charge to the Graduate-—Mr. Carlton E. Treat, Superintendent Montelair Golf Club, Montelair, N. J. Presentation of Certificates—Mr. Roland N. Verbeck, Director of Short Courses, M. S, C. AFTERNOON SESSION 1:30 Meeting M.S.C. Staff Members in discussion groups. 2:3 0 Insecticides and Japanese Beetle Control—Dr. J. Peter Johnson, Asst. Entomologist, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Conn. Irrigation—Mr. C. H. Stewart, Division Engineer, Buckner Mfg. Co.* Chicago, III. EVENING SESSION 7:30 The National Fertilizer Situation —Mr. Fred S. Lodge, Tech. Asst. National Fertilizer Assoc. The Local Fertilizer Situation — Mr. Ernest Russell, Pres. Old Deerfield Fertilizer Co., South Deerfield, Mass. General Discussion. Saturday, March 1 4 Second Floor, Memorial Hall MORNING SESSION 9:30 Meeting M. S. C. Staff Members in discussion groups. 10:15 Address — Dr. Hugh P. Baker, President, M. S. C. Figures and Facts Influencing Maintenance — Mr. Charles A. Burns, Chairman, Editorial Committee, G. S. A., Akron, Ohio. War and the Game of Golf—Mr. Eugene F. Wogan, Pres. New England Section, P. G. A., Manchester, Mass. AFTERNOON SESSION 1:3 0 Moving Pictures. 2:00 Golf and Recreation in the Economic Picture—Mr, Ralph B, W i l son, Economist, Babson's Reports, Inc., Wellesley, Mass. Wartime Maintenance of Turf Areas —Prof, L. S. Dickinson, M.. S. C, EVENING—-DRAPER HALL 6:15 Eighth Annual "Banquet." Special cafeteria service for Greenkeepers at regular cafeteria prices. Very special entertainment. R o o m 2 0 , Stoefcbridge Hall 8:3 0 Smoker Meeting. All discussion. The Manufacturer's Position — Mr. Ross Sawtelle, President, Worthington Mower Co., Stroudsburg, Pa. The Dealer's _Position — Mr. O. O. Clapper, New England Toro Co., Newtonville, Mass. The User's Position—A practical Greets keeper to be obtained. Sunday, March 1 5 R o o m 2 0 , Stockbridge Hall 10:30 Annual Experts on Trial — The well-known "Chief Justice" and the eight old men. * W I N T E R SCHOOL Professor Dickinson still carries on at Amherst in spite of all difficulties. A t tending the Winter School at Stockbridge are sixteen students, representing clubs from Norway, Maine, to St. Paul, Minnesota. This is very encouraging when we consider that many who might be attending are in the service of Uncle Sam. Among our own members attending are A r t h u r Cody of Wollaston, G. C., Albert Zikorus, Wellesley C. C., and Lloyd Stott of Meadowbrook G. C. in Reading. Our old friend, Carl Treat, also still carries on as assistant to Professor Dickinson. The Golf Conference will be held as usual except that the equipment exhibits have been eliminated. The exhibit area is now being used for Defense purposes. The program leads us to believe that this year's conference will be more interesting and valuable than ever. free ASK FOR POUND SAMPLE New strain of imported P e r e n n i a l Rye Grass called "Victoria". Suitable for tees, roughs and bunkers. Try it at our expense. Ask for new 1942 prices. On all seeds they're very favorable. O. M. SCOTT and S O N S CO. Morysville, Ohio / SCOTTS SEED T w k t BEAUTIFUL T U R F / P l a n n i n g T o Buy N e w Equipment? W e Can M a k e Delivery "IDEAL" Foirwoy Mowers — Rough Mowers Power Greens Mowers A POWER MOWER FOR EVERY PURPOSE ALSO Agrico Country Club Fertilizers Gross Seed and Accessories Write for 1942 Catalog and prices IDEAL MOWER SALES A SERVICE 11 ! Cypress Street Brookline, Moss. Tel. Beacon 2898 NATIONAL CONFERENCE We offer sincere thanks to Bob Mitchell of the Edison Club of Schenectady for the article on ice skating continued in our last issue. The 16th annual National Conference of the Greenkeeping Superintendents Association was held in Chicago, Feb. 10, 11, 12, and 13, 1942. Approximately TOKO EQUIPMENT EXHIBITION 700 golf superintendents from more than One of our local dealers, the New 3 0 different states and Canada were on England Toro Co., held an exhibition of hand. their 1942 line of equipment at their spaAlmost without exception delegates cious building in West Newton, February from every part of the country told of 17-21. This was in lieu of their former plans already under way to renovate their contribution to the Amherst Golf Congolf courses so as to meet the challenge ference. of the times. The grass generals realize There was a steady trickle of greenthat the "lost ball hazard" is an imkeepers, wives and chairmen from Tuesperative one and hope to do their part day morning until Saturday afternoon. by eliminating as many as possible. Door prizes of an "El Toro" car key Wm. H. Johnson, Manager-Superin- case and chain were awarded to all attendent of the Griffith Park G. C., Los tending. On Monday, February 23, Angeles, California, presented records President Sam Mitchell and Secretary that show an increase of golf play this Phil Cassidy of the New England Greenyear on his course. Johnson attributes keepers Club made final drawings for adthe increase to the elimination of horse ditional prizes as follows: racing on the west coast and the in- 1st Prize $25.00 Defense Bond— creased emphasis among defense workers Franklin Hammond, Greenkeeper on physical fitness. Tyngsboro Country Club Major John L. Griffith, Western Con- 2nd Prize $10.00 Defense Stamps—ference Commissioner, predicted a boom Shirley H. Eldridge, Chairman in participating sports during and after Trapelo Golf Club the war and said that golf would plajr 3rd Prize $1.00 Defense Stamps— an important part in this program if Mr. John Dorgan, Ass't Greenkeeper properly managed. D. W . Field Golf Course At the annual election of the G. S. A. 4th Prize $1.00 Defense Stamps— Mr. George McRoberts, Chairman held Friday, Feb. 13th, Harold Stodola, Edgewood Golf Club Supt. of the Keilar Park G. C„ St. Paul, Minn., was reelected President. Mar- 5th Prize $1.00 Defense Stamps—• Mr. Lloyd G. Scott, Greenkeeper shall E. Farnham, Philadelphia C. C., Meadow Brook Golf Club Philadelphia, Pa., was selected as Vice President. A. L. Brandon of St. Charles, 6th Prize $1.00 Defense Stamps—• Mr. Arthur E. Anderson, Greenkeeper Illinois, was selected by the Board to Brae Burn Country Club serve the G. S. A. as its first full time Executive Secretary. Brandon will de- 7th Prize $1.00 Defense Stamps—Mr. Alfred Smith, Greenkeeper vote all of his time to G, S, A. work Albemarle Golf Club from now on, including the editing of 8 th Prize $1.00 Defense Stamps—• the organization's magazine. Mr. Joseph Johnston, Greenkeeper The G. S. A. has decided to disconMinute Man Golf Club tinue commercial exhibits for the duraMrs. Howard D. Farrant, whos hustion but went on record to maintain their educational efforts. The 17th An- band is Greenkeeper at the well known, nual Educational Conference will be held course, The Country Club in Brookline, won the ladies' prize. in Akron, Ohio, in February, 1943. ^ ^ STANDARD We are pleased to announce that the following " S T A N D A R D " GOLF COURSE ACCESSORIES will be available: 6-Ball W a s h e r Only $18.00 W i t h 5' Post 19.00 W i t h Stand . 21.50 Brushes, Each 1.50 Ball Rack Only 5.00 On Cast Iron Base 8.50 Ball Retriever . . 1.50 Ball Brite, Per 12 2.75 Bail Bruise Lifter 2.50 Turf Repairer . . 12.00 Divot 9.00 Hole Cutters, Plain, Scalloped, Saw-Tooth 8.00 .60 Cup Extractor 2.40 Cup Setter 1.00 Cast Iron Hole Cup . . 2.40 Aluminum " " .. .50 Open Mesh Tee Marker 2.00 Fairway Yardage Agrometer, Soil Tester 3.00 All orders accepted subject to our ability to deliver. ORDER N O W W H I L E STOCKS ARE AVAILABLE. STANDARDIZE W I T H "STANDARD". Hew Although many fertilizer materials are scarce, we have a plentiful supply of M I L O R G A N I T E on hand for the spring season. Easy to use, safe to apply, M1LORGANITE, the all-organic fertilizer, is a leader for golf course use. Order now and take advantage of present low freight rates. M a n y fertilizers are higher in price, but M I L O R G A N I T E is but slightly up ($1.00 per t o n — t o cover the increased cost of bags). . A supply of M I L A R S E N I T E (for weed control) is in our warehouse. Excellent results have been reported from al! over the country. Your members will appreciate your telling them of M I L O R G A N 1 T E and the results from an application of it to their lawns. 'TIME TO MILORGAN1ZE.' England Toro Co. DISTRIBUTORS FOR NEW ENGLAND . "j 1121 Washington St., West Newton — BIGelbw'7900 WORTHINGTON - more power for p i in 1842 Worthington has made only one change in its standard line of mowing and maintenance equipment for still more powerful The new 1942. Chrysler motor has 2 1 7 . / inches last year. The Golf Chief Tractor has been given a industrial motor. cubic inches displacement as against 2 0 1 cubic It develops 95 horse power as against 73 last y e a r ! Worthington has always believed that for satisfactory traction on turf, and for all golf course maintenance work, a reserve of "horses under the hood" is w h a t counts when you want a job done efficiently and economically. reserve of power in the hilly courses and golf 1942 Worthington pemits the same tractor means better operations at lower This new traction motor on speeds. This, in turn, means an increased life and greater usefulness than have ever been available. More work can be done in "high" gear at increased fuel economy. Worthington cutting units and gang mowers show no radical change. first and fundamental principles are as sound as they were in 1914, Their though the years and changing requirements have brought about improvements, whenever necessary, to meet these changing conditions. In these times, users of W o r t h i n g t o n gang mowers have a distinct advant- age—since ington other. gang 1914 every Worthington cutting unit ever built, and every W o r t h mower C H E S T E R M. frame ever built, S A W T E L L E are - strictly New Box 4 2 , Cambridge, B, Massachusetts interchangeable England - Tel. KIRkland WORTHINGTON M O W E R M A I N OFFICE: STROUDSBURG, PA. with each Distributor 2000 COMPANY SALES AGENCIES: ALL P R I N C I P A L CITIES