r

MARCH 1951

To Be Happy
Be Friendly.

The bell of praise is still ringing for the Waltham Field Station as the ideal lay-out for the
meeting place of the Greenkeepers Club. Likewise for the caterer who puts a little extra oomph
to make the lunches attractive and appetizing.
Monday, March 5, was the date of the last meeting. When Ye Editor arrived he couldn't help
noticing the worried look on Frank Wilson's
countenance. Later he was observed anxiously
watching the entrances and the people entering.
Under pressure Frank confessed he was looking
for Percy Frostbottom. That phoney guy who
attended the Chicago conference and who had
put Frank in the dog house with his family, for
failing to mention that he was at the conference.
Ye Editor, acting as a detective and a go between,
finally located Percy in a Boston brokerage office.
Mrs. Wilson, the editor gives you his word that
Percy identified Frank at the conference, but
said he hesitated about including his name because he was so chummy with the waitresses.
(Ye Editor hopes this clears the issue.)
Getting back to the enjoyable lunch served by
the caterer, the Sawtelle Brothers kindly footed
the entire bill and received the hearty thanks
from all attending.
The meeting started off with a question box
with Counselor Jack as the chairman.. Following, is ;a brief on the subject matter:
Question. How many pounds of nitrogen per
1000 sq. Ft. of green is required for the season?
Answer's ranged from 3 lbs. to 10 lbs., some including 20 lbs. lime per M. for season. Conclusions. 3-5 lbs. nearer average practice.
Question. Minimum distance of setting cup
from edge apron ? Some said 10 ft. Some 12-15
feet.
Question. Best way to eliminate Poa Annua?
Ans. Apply 2 4 D early in season. Force it early
and cut seed. Use P.M.A.S. every 10 days. Dr.
DeFrance recommends using P.M.A.S. as a fungicide spray regularly will ten dto eliminate P.
Annua. There are indications that aerifying
may spread P.A.
Question. What is the present minimum pay
for inexperienced help? Ans. $1.Q0-$1.15.
Question. What is the reaction of the members to weekly instead of monthly meetings?
No favorable answers.
Question. What is the best way to aerate
greens? One ans. Take up all the sod — roto
till, put back sod and forget for ten years. A

?4G00. plus job for 18 greens. Spring aerifying
best. Fertilize early to get good growth of grass
and deep roots. Aerify to break up thatch and
layers. Aerify in spring not middle of summer.
Fall aerifying may spread Poa Annua.
Question. What is the ideal analysis for complete fertilizer for greens under normal conditions? Ans. Any declining ratio. The loss as
found in grass clippings analysis 2V>-l-2. 1-1-1.
8-18-16 with milorganite.
Question. A ditch dug 5 feet deep and filled
with wet sand will settle how much? Ans. 5%.
Question. A show of hands on preference of
occasional heavy watering versus frequent light
watering? 10 votes for heavy, 8 for light. Show
of hands on night watering versus morning
watering? Vote fairly evenly divided.
Question. In using chlordane for Jap. beetle
control how long after liming should chlordane
be used? Ans. 2 months.
Question. The best method of eliminating low
spots in greens? Ans. The most satisfactory,
remove sod and regrade.
Question. What should be the minimum salary
for a greenkeeper? Much discussion. One idea
was, put it on an hourly basis and expect the
equivalent of a bricklayers or mason's pay. Maybe you've got something there.
Then the deck was cleared for the business.
Narry Sperandio, our worthy secretary, ill with
the grippe. About the first absence Ye Editor
can remember. Hope you are feeling tip-top
again Narry.
Percy L. Clark Jr. Meadow Brook Golf Club,
Reading, Mass. voted an associate member. Applications for new members read. Full membership
Ernest H. Stephanson, Ledgemont C. C., Seekonk,
Mass. and for associate membership, Casimo
Piantedosi, Commonwealth Country Club.
Changes in the by-laws mentioned in the February Newsletter approved in Articles 4-7-8-9 and
10. Article 1 Change the name of the club — No
Soap. New England Golf Course Superintendents
Association voted down. It was then voted to
adopt the name New England Greenkeepers Association. Final action to be taken at the April
2, meeting.
It was voted to purchase two dozen ash trays
to be presented to Ray Koon for use in the Field
Station meeting hall. A minimum gesture for
the greatly appreciated courtesy of this fine meeting place.

STOP LOOK CONSIDER.
The first outdoor meeting is being arranged at
the New Bedford Country Club. Mike O'Grady
is planning one of his famous barbecues. But
he must have your cooperation to proceed with
it. The cost will be $2.50~$3.00. Guarantees
must be given. Think about it please, and be
prepared to state your willingness to back it at
the April meeting.
FOR SALE
Ye Editor assumes the responsibility and possible criticism for using this publication for advertising purposes. Here is something which has
just come to his attention. It might interest
several golf clubs. Do you need some tee benches ?
A local church is offering at a bargain price,
sturdy, well braced, one inch quartered oak,
stained, 12 foot long settees at $16.00 each. Contact Ye Editor at, Juniper Hill Golf Course,
Northboro, Mass. for further information.
THE AMHERST TURF CONFERENCE held
March 8 and 9 was a huge success, in the opinion
of everyone Ye Editor interviewed. It was different. Entirely different from anything which has
been held formerly. The subjects were all focused
on the business of operating a golf course, dealing
with it as a manufacturing plant. Production,
selling, advertising etc. The subjects were all
handled by panel discussions. Groups of 6 to 8
participants were selected from the registration
cards and then the subjects developed by impromptu questions and answers under the guidance
of a leader. Prof. Dickinson, Geoffry Cornish,
and Orville Clapper were in the lime light as such.
Unfortunately time or space does not permit
going into detail on the subject matter found in
the Editors notes. The entire program held
everyones interest both days. It was a different
angle. Quite refreshing and brain ticklers all
the way.

The banquet Thursday evening was also quite
unique, and introduced an idea most of us had
never heard of or thought up. The special feature was a singing toastmaster very ably handled
by Mr. Doric Alviani, the music director at the
University. All the preliminaries, and all the
introductions of speakers was in song. Mr.
Alviani's singing voice and his ready wit made
the evening a complete success.
A short business meeting of the Mass. Section of the New England Turf Association was
held at the end of the conference. It was voted
to change the by-laws so that the fiscal year
would end June 30, rather than December 31. It
was recommended that the directors hold a meeting sometime in May. It was voted to solicit
membership from ail prospects at a membership
fee of $10.00 each. It was also voted that affiliate
memberships be established at a fee of $2.00.
Practically everyone present put their money on
the barrelhead for this. Prof. Dickinson, the
executive secretary-treasurer of the association
reported that if $3000. could be raised this year
it should carry along the experimental work very
well for 1951.
The next meeting of Greenkeepers Club will be
held April 2, at the Waltham Field Station. It
will be a dealers meeting, with opportunity of
hearing the latest on equipment and material
supply, prices, etc. We'll be seeing you there.
APOLOGIES from the Editor for this hastily
produced Newsletter and the possibility of reaching you late. The pressure from last minute unexpected events locally, prevents a more complete and better thought out job.
H. Darling, Editor.