The month of February in the old days was
always noted for its rugged weather—severe cold—
heavy snow—sometimes a blizzard. The old saying,
"As the days lengthen the cold strengthens", was quite
true then. What is happening to our Massachusetts
winter weather? For four or five years it has been
mild. The first two years it happened we thought we
were lucky. Now it seems to be a definite pattern.
Most people beyond their youth appreciate it certainly, but what is the explanation? Some scientists
and meteorologists say the Gulf Stream is working
closer to Massachusetts. They say there is definite
evidence that warmer air is working into the polar
regions. The tree line has moved northward, seals and
fish have travelled farther north. It is a decided trend
and will eventually end up in much hotter and drier
weather in the south and a short mild winter and more
frequent late summer hurricanes in these parts. What
does this mean to you and me? Certainly, more winter golf has been played in the last two years than
ever. Golfers demand it when there is bare ground.
How will this effect our greenkeeping management?
Here at Juniper Hill we permitted winter golf for
the first time. The old nine greens with heavy turf and
thatch withstood the traffic fairly well during mid-day
thawing but the 2M year old greens showed definite
depreciation. Consequently, we closed the course to
all play after February 20 until spring. Undoubtedly
conditions in this area are less favorable for winter
play than for the courses along our coast line. Deeper
frost, possibly heavier soils, and higher mid-day temperatures may be factors. In regard to the summer
threats, how many have considered safeguards against
the increasing number of hurricanes with the usual
loss of power in club houses and pump houses and
the possibility of floods?
"Is not he impudent, who, seeing the tide making
toward him apace, will sleep till the sea overwhelms
him?"—Tillotson
A most interesting educational meeting was enjoyed at Waltham February 6. Following the usual
appetizing luncheon and the announcement of the attendance prize winners, who were Joe Butler, Mr.
Duofold, Clayton Daly, and Albert Allen, turf sages
gathered in the auditorium for an enlightening talk on
engines. Mr. Victory, of the W. J. Cornell Co., Newton Upper Falls, ably presented the story on engines,
specifically Briggs-Stratton Engines. Here are the
editor's scrambled egg notes: The Briggs-Stratton is
a single cylinder, air cooled, 4 cycle engine. They are
staying with a 4 cycle because they find that the two

Ordinarily don't tinker with the adjustments. The
control at the top should be % to One turn and the
jet control below lfi turns. When an engine fails to
start, caution your men not to fool with these adjustments. Definite harm can come from screwing the jet
control tight against the seat. Don't use detergent
oil. Use 20-30 regular oil. EVERY GREENKEEPER
SHOULD HAVE ON F I L E A SPECIAL "REPAIRMAN'S HANDBOOK" for $1.00 postpaid. This gives
complete picture and the story on every Briggs-Stratton engine, and parts. PREPARATION FOR WINTER STORAGE: Rotate flywheel until it comes up to
compression. Drain carburetor and all gas everywhere. Drain oil. Put a table spoon of oil in each
spark plug hole. When it comes to overhauling any
engine if the cost of repair parts and labor is twothirds of the cost of a new engine BUY A NEW ONE.
When Mr. Victory's talk and question period
terminated everyone present agreed it was tops and
most valuable. Every golf course employee working
with engines should have heard it. Precaution and
advice is more emphatic when expressed by the experienced expert. It is hoped that a similar talk might
be presented at our first outdoor meeting in May.
Tony Sperandio is planning an unusual educational
and practical meeting for all golf course employees at
that time. MORE ABOUT THIS LATER.
The heartfelt sympathy of our entire membership
goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Bill Mitchell who lost their
son recently in a tragic automobile accident.
Here are the addresses-of two of our members
who have long been absent from our meetings due to
a prolonged siege of illness. They are slowly recovering and would greatly appreciate seeing you: Harold
Mosher, 68 Summer Street, Weston, Mass; Ralph
Thomas, Veterans' Hospital, Jamaica Plains, Mass.
"If I can put one touch of sunshine into the life of
any man or woman I shall feel that I have worked with
God."
Edward Curran, Lexington Golf Club, through
these columns, wishes to express his thanks and gratitude to those present at the last meeting who participated in an out of pocket presentation and good
wishes in his new venture—Matrimony.
Thursday, March 10, is the date set for the informal turf conference at Amherst. It is a one day
affair. The meeting will start at 1:30 at the Northampton Hotel Dining Room with the turf school
graduation exercises followed by Progressive Round
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everything from % H.P. to 8 H.P. Actually there are
only a comparatively few manufacturers. Theirs has
a flywheel type magneto. MAINTENANCE. White
gasoline was recommended for years. Use regular
gasoline not over 60 days old. Always use fresh gasoline. Gasoline stored over winter may not work well
in your spring filled engine tank. High test gas may
be used but no advantage. If something goes wrong
with the engine there are only three things to check:
Compression, ignition, and carburetor. Under ignition check spark plugs for spark. When replacing
don't rely 100% on new plugs. They have been known
to fail too. Carburetor troubles are frequently caused
by dirt and grass pieces in the fuel line. Gasoline
standing in the tank for a long time may leave a
deposit and cause trouble. Gas deposits may be removed from gas lines by putting a small quantity of
lacquer thinner in the gas tank. Carburetors are adjusted for normal operation when leaving the factory.

iciurc jLXiauuaoiuiia. xiiie iiuui intermission men an
informal social dinner with an early closing to permit
returning home that evening for those who desire. To
aid in the round table discussion each member of our
Greenkeepers Club is urged to send or bring to this
editor at our Waltham meeting, March 7, in writing,
his number one problem. Here is an opportunity to
find a solution to your chief problem through the
thoughts of many minds. I will be looking for it.
Next meeting at Waltham Field Station, Monday,
March 7.
10:00 A.M. Instruction on Fairway Units and
Parts.
12:00 to 1:00 Luncheon.
1:30 P.M. New Equipment.
3:00 P.M. Business Meeting.
H. DARLING, Editor