Henry Van Dyke once said that the first day of
spring and the first spring day are not always the
same. Surely it didn't feel very spring-like Sunday,
March 21, 1954, the date of the equinox. The time
when the sun crosses the plane of the earth's equator
making night and day all over the earth of equal
length. Spring will be with us until June 21, the longest day of the year, then the long turn back to the
shortest day of the year, December 21. That is just
about the limit of the golf season in our part of the
country, March 21 to December 21. Nature goes to
sleep the remainder of the year and supposedly wakes
up the first day of spring. Every Greenkeeper likewise
has to be wide awake during this active span to keep
pace with nature's many challenges. That is why our
monthly educational meetings during the winter help
us to be alert for new ideas, new methods, and correct
procedures in conducting the many phases of our
work.
The last meeting at Waltham, March 1, and the
Amherst conference, March 11 and 12 were no exceptions in this respect. The subject at the Waltham
meeting was Fairway Watering ably conducted by
Orville Clapper and elaborated upon by architect
Orrin Smith, Hydraulic engineer J. B. Starkweather,
and installation expert A1 Zikoris. The golf course
contemplating the installation of a fairway water
system has many questions to ask. What about the
source of water supply? If it is to be city water make
sure they can supply your needs and when you want
it. Don't take their word for what they can supply.
Have an expert check. The City may not be talking
your language. A booster pump may be necessary.
Consider the spot for the pump house. Check with the
power company for the supply of electricity. A centrifugal pump is usually used. Wells are expensive to
install. Plan the water system to supply sufficient
water to the farthest and highest sprinkler at required
pressure. Shall a contractor or the course crew make
the installation? What is the total estimated cost?
(See a banker). Editor's Note: If we can believe certain
scientists who claim that we are in a long dry cycle
and that the summers will continue to be hotter and

dryer, then fairway watering will hold the spot light.
Woe to the small course with little capital.
Speaking of spot lights, a focus was directed upon
a most unprecedented occurrence at the last Waltham
meeting. We had the honor and privilege of being a
host to three generations of greenkeepers—-Robert Mitchell, Sam Mitchell and Sam Mitchell, Jr. We wonder
if this has ever occurred in this country before. Perhaps Agar Brown can inform us. Here is a challenge
Agar. The traffic was quite heavy in the membership
application department at the March 1 meeting. The
following will be voted upon at the April 5 meeting:
Richard Blake, Whitinsville; Sam Mitchell, Canton;
Ed Curran, Lexington; Omar Dudevair, Jr., Weston;
John O'Connor, Peabody, and John Senkarik, Milford.
Attendance prizes went to Mike O'Grady, Ted Swanson, Dick Finnerty, and Jack O'Connor.
The Amherst Conference was very well attended.
Everyone seemed highly pleased with an excellent program of timely subjects presented by the Amherst staff
in a masterly manner. The Connecticut Greenkeepers
nearly outnumbered those from Massachusetts in attendance. It is a credit to Prof. Dickinson to experience this widespread keen interest in the annual
Amherst conference.
DATES TO PUT IN YOUR BOOK
May 3, Greenkeepers Meeting — New Bedford
Country Club. One of those famous — yum, yum,
barbecues. Ladies invited.
April 24, Testimonial dinner for Ray Koon.
Narry Sperandio at the next meeting for tickets.

See

April 5, Regular meeting at Waltham Field Station. Lunch at 12:30. Directors meeting at 11:00.
Special guest speakers, Dr. DeFrance and Stewart
W. Hart.
Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday and all is well.
H. DARLING, Editor

mmmmsmmmmM

NEWSLETTER
APRIL 1954

wmmmmmmmrm

"April Showers Bring Mayflowers", so the saying
goes. The 3.6 inches which fell here April 16 and 17
was quite a shower. Over night the warm rain has
changed the long stationary Spring to an active, lively
green growth. How appropriate that Easter morning
should awaken with bright clear skies, and all about
renewed vigor and life. Bursting buds, opening flowers, and fast growing plant life as if to commemorate
this day of resurrection. By the way, how do they
establish Easter Sunday on the calendar? It's the first
Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or next
after March 21, the day of the equinox.
With the Easter parade over and that bonnet put
away for another line day what happened at the
April 4th Greenkeepers Meeting at the Waltham Field
Station. Dr. DeFrance and Stewart Hart of the Rhode
Island Experiment Station had the top billing for the
day. Chemical Control of Clover and Chemicals For
Retarding Growth of Grass were the subjects discussed, substantiated by mimeograph copies of the
Experiment Station data plus additional facts on
Chemical Control of Mature Smooth Crab Grass in
Lawns. Boiled down for the editor's comment it appears that decidedly the best time of the year for the
control of clover is in the fall of the year. Endothal
and 2,4,5 T, 1-2 quarts per acre gave the best control,
in the 1953 work. In relation to retarding the growth
of grass with chemicals, Dr. DeFrance stated that
Maleic Hydrozide was used. For all practical purposes chemical treatments to retard growth of turf on
greens, tees, and fairways just doesn't seem to be good"
Greenkeeping practice. There appears to be no good
reason for the ideas. However, there may be a place
for such treatments on certain types of rough, such as
hard to mow places, etc. Those who heard these interesting talks should refer to the literature received for
further reminders of the details.
The attendance prizes won at this meeting went
to Tony Caranci, Jr., Chet Baldwin, Dick Silvar, and
Guy Tedesco. At the business meeting the following
were voted a club membership: Sam Mitchell, Jr.,
Omar Dudevair, John O'Connor, Edward Curran, and
John Senkarik. An application for new membership
was received from John Almonte, Worcester Country
Club. The Tournament Committee announced the
following schedule for the summer:
May 3—New Bedford C.C.; Barbecue and Ladies'
Day.
June 7—Worcester C.C.; Creen Chairman Meeting.

July 12—Agawam Hunt G.C.; Memorial Tournament.
Aug. 2—Manchester C.C.
Sept. 13—Bear Hill C.C.
Oct. 4—Brae Burn C.C.; Greenkeeper—Pro.
Oct. 25—Hyannis Port C.C.; Championship.
Your editor attended the Rhode Island Greenkeepers meeting, April 19, at the Wannamoisett C.C. to
learn something about Nematodes. Dr. Tarjan of the
Rhode Island Station gave an interesting talk, "Nematodes—What they Are and What They Do To Your
Greens." Massachusetts Greenkeepers not familiar
with Nematodes had better ascertain if their greens are
infested. It is apparent that they could be a source
of considerable trouble weakening the grass to such an
extent that it opens the door to many difficulties. The
editor is experiencing such a situation at this time. Dr.
Tarjan would be a good speaker for our December
meeting.
WANTED—Parts, especially for a differential, for
hand lift sickle bar for Worthington tractor. Homer
Darling.
The Directors of the Greenkeepers Club of New
England have been somewhat concerned regarding
visitors and friends playing at our tournaments. They
feel it might be an imposition to the host clubs who
assume it is for Greenkeepers only. The Directors
therefore, suggest to the membership, that unless
otherwise specified, our tournaments are for members
only.
On to New Bedford is the slogan at this moment
for a whale of a time, this being the city so famous in
the old days for its thriving whaling business. Many
of the relics are being preserved and may be seen in
the Whaling City Museum. The ladies who attend
this meeting may be taken there as part of their entertainment. But be sure to be on hand for the barbecue.
That will be something to remember. Have you sent
the return card to Mike O'Grady? He will need this
to make plans for the meal. Somebody is likely to go
short if all cards are not mailed. It's Monday, May
3rd, at the New Bedford Country Club. Will you be
there? Thar She Blows.
There will be a demonstration of equipment at
11:00 o'clock.
H. DARLING, Editor