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This March issue of the Newsletter is generally
written on the first day of Spring, March 21, with the
usual comment about this bright and glorious time of
the year. But what Mother Nature did to us this year
on this eventful day might well be deleted. Moreover, there is little room for fat this month due to a
good supply of lean meat.
Our March meeting at Waltham was one of experimentation and progress. The former because of
both a morning and afternoon discussion and the latter because of the action taken on changing the name
of our organization (More about this later). Tony
Sperandio, as chairman of our educational committee,
has had the feeling that we should expand the educational possibilities of our monthly winter meetings and
arrange both a morning and afternoon session in order
to take full advantage of this meeting day. Providing
that it meets with the approval of the Field Station
Staff and has the support of our membership. What
do you fellows think? The morning forum, March 7,
was devoted to fairway mowers ably explained by the
Sawtelles and the Clapper Company staff and the
afternoon discussion was on the subject of new equipment. For the benefit of those who did not attend or
those who did not take mental or physical notes here
are a few grease and oil suggestions:
For Worthington Gang Mower gear housing use
Mobilgrease No. I or Texaco Marfax 00. Roller bearings on new type use 1 lb. tube outboard motor gear
grease. Do not use pressure gun. For Jacobsen
Power Greens Mower use regular gasoline (not high
test). Use S.A.E. No. 30 outboard or non-detergent
oil. Use Champion spark plug J12J or outboard motor
type or equivalent. For Toro Mowers a special Lubriplate grease has proven very satisfactory. The new
Jacobsen Power Greens Mower now has 9 blades on
the reel, a new carburetor and an improved change on
the hub transport wheel. The Clapper Co. have at
least two new items of interest, The West Point Airlift, a low platform transport cart, and all models of
the Royer Shredder.
The attendance prize winners were O'Grady, McBride, Alcott, and Conners. At the afternoon business
meeting two applications for membership were announced, John Mello, Long Meadow G.C. and John
Mileski, Duxbury Yacht Club. The momentous action
taken was on the change of the name of our club.
After due consideration and discussion it was voted

decided upon a common management problem and
then presented it for general discussion. These discussions were aggressive, lively and constructive. Here
is a summary of some of the high points.
Motorized Golf Carts. The Greenkeepers frowned
on their use in this area. At some courses they are
permitted only with a doctor's certificate. Where in
use now definite rules have been set up to keep a safe
distance from tees and greens. The use of such carts
have abused, such as overloading with extra players
and bags, quick starting at foot of hills, not avoiding
soft areas, etc. There was a general feeling that
motorized golf carts should be banned entirely from
golf courses in this area. The results of a vote taken
was 38 opposed to any motorized carts, 22 opposed
except with restrictions, such as doctor's certificates,
invalids, etc. Other subjects dealt with were: Thatch,
Superintendents' retirement funds, accumulative effect of Maleic Hydrazide, sub-soil compaction by construction heavy equipment. It was reported that
gypsum (75 lbs. to 1,000 sq. ft.) had been beneficial
for loosening sub-soil. Dr. Roberts gave an interesting
talk on liquid fertilizers. Then followed the winter
school graduation exercises featuring a talk by Donald Mitchell on "The Need of Education on Turf
Culture." The evening turf dinner and entertainment
with remarks by Prof. Dickinson and Dr. Colby terminated a most interesting affair.
Saturday, March 12, at the Country Club a
group of our golf course superintendents met with the
U.S.G.A. turf service officials for a general discussion
on turf problems. Mr. Radko, the U.S.G.A. regional
director, advised against winter playing when surface
thawing is taking place over solid frozen ground
underneath because it will result in bumpy greens
during the regular playing season.
Mr. Radko also
issued a bulletin last fall dealing in part with electric
golf carts. He stated, "In the Northeastern region,
where cool season grasses predominate, there is no
question but that damage to turf will occur . . . During July and August when wilt is more likely to occur,
the use of many electric carts may be the difference
between turf and no turf".
"Wisdom prepares for the worst, but folly
the worst for the day ivhen it comes"—Cecil.

leaves

Personals. It was learned at the close of the last
Waltham meeting that Tony Caranci, Jr. was about to

24 to 2 to change the name of our club to Golf Course
Superintendents Association of New England. Since
this is a change in our by-laws this notice is given to
all members that final action will be taken at our next
meeting April 4. ARTICLE XIV under AMENDMENT of CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS, states,
"The Constitution and By-Laws can only be amended
by a two-thirds vote of those present. Amendment
shall lay over for one meeting and notice of such proposed amendment shall be put on notice of next regular meeting.

have an operation at the Mariam Hospital, Providence.
We hope he is doing well now.
It was good to see
Harold Mosher at the last meeting.
Tony Sperandio has appointed a special committee to assist him
with the May meeting. This committee is asked to
meet at Waltham April 4, at 11:00 A.M. - - - Ed Curran discovered in February that someone had opened
a valve letting water into the drained system. Some
$2,000 loss may have occurred.

"The action of men are the best interpreters of
their
thoughts"—Locke.
Informality and chuminess prevailed at the one
day Amherst turf conference held at the Hotel Northampton. Those in attendance (a goodly number) enjoyed the relaxing table seating arrangement for the
afternoon round table discussions and the talk by Dr.
Roberts. Everyone was assigned to tables of eight
persons according to their birthdays. At least two men
discovered a coincident date of birth. Each table

Will you be present at the next meeting? Waltham, April 4—12:00 noon luncheon. Vote on changing the name of the club and listen to an excellent
speaker, Mr. Wilbur Hawkins, on "How to Remember
Names, How to Get Along With People, and How to
Improve Yourself."

"We learn caution by the misfortunes

of

others."

"People seldom improve when they have no other
model but themselves to copy
from"—Goldsmith.
H. DARLING, Editor