K M W §

[ L I E W t E K

IN T H I S I S S U E

CLOVER IN ACID SOILS
LETS HAVE REAL COOPERATION
A COMPOST REVIEW
OCTOBER MEETING
A NEW JERSEY
EXPERIMENT

OCTOBER
1931

This N E W S L E T T E R is published
monthly by the Greenkeepers Club of
New England, and sent free to its members and their Greens' Chairmen. Subscription price ten cents a copy, or a
dollar a year.
GUY C. WEST
Editor
312 Mt. P l e a s a n t St., Fall River, Mass.
MARSTON
BURNETT Business Mgr.
330 W a l t h a m St., W e s t Newton, Mass.
October, 1931

Vol. 3, No. 10

C L O V E R IN A C I D SOILS

acid conditions are not satista:: - :':r
grass.
Perhaps when you are trying v
rid of clover by using sulphate :: ammonia you are actually giving the
clover more encouragement than the
grass. Clover roots, because they may go
more deeply into the soil than grass
roots, may pick up most of the phosphorus they need from the subsoil. I
fiimly b:lieve these factors are worth
considering by all greenkeepers.
E f f e c t Of S u l p h a t e O n C l o v e r

Some years ago there appeared in the
Greens Section Bulletin a summary of
by Dr. M. H. Cubbon,
value of gypsum, or calcium sulProf, of Agronomy, Mass. State College. the
phate, for crop production. Results were
It is common knowledge that potas- mostly negative. The few positive ease;
sium (potash in everyday usage) is indicated that gypsum was very fav_: rlargely responsible for the growth and able to the growth of red clover. The
encouragement of clover in greens. Four reason for this has never been satispercent potash is considered a maximum factorily given, but it appears that the
in fertilizer mixtures for greens, and sulphate part of the gypsum hat ae
some mixtures carry only a trace or much influence as the calcium, a - t
none at all.
possibly more.
Very little attention has been given
Sulphate certainly makes the - : t
by those in charge of greens to the nodule
organisms of red clover :: ~ : r k
amounts of available potash already in with
This acti:~ stimuthe soil. The old story of plenty of sul- lates athevengeance.
The white cL:"er that
phate of ammonia appeared to satisfy appears inclover.
greens may be inttuer.:-: by
everyone. But in numerous cases the sulphate exactly
like red cl:-~r. At
continued use of sulphate has failed to least,
it is under strong suspi:::*
prevent growth of clover. There is no
question of the acidity developed by
continued applications of sulphate. Why,
then, does clover continue to grow under
acid conditions?
The large number of letters —hieh
The answer appears to be that potash have reached us in the past m:nth ~;th
is much more soluble in acid than in comments on our brown-patch it;:
neutral soils. Tests made in various sion in last month's N E W S L E T l E R ,
states on the effects of acid producing show conclusively that this subject := a
nitrogen fertilizers on solubility of "hot" one. Greenkeepers are not satispotash all showed that the more acid fied with the present knowledge of turf
the soil becomes the more soluble the diseases, and are looking everywhere for
potash. Soluble potash is usually avail- help. It seems generally to be underable, and therefore clover gets the stood that some experts are helping, or
tonic it needs.
at least, trying to help. Most agree chat
Loam or clay soil contains large greenkeepers can do much more toward
amounts of total potash. Attempting to solving the problems which the various
keep out clover with sulphate of am- turf diseases present. We shall be
monia, especially on the heavier soils, pleased to receive comments from other
is like trying to put out a fire with readers concerning this very vital subgasolene.
ject.
There is one other factor. The more
We are particularly glad to present
acid the soil, the less soluble the phos- a very fine comment and plea for cophorus becomes. Of the two, phosphorus operation from Charlie Parker of the
and potash, phosphorus is more desir- Belmont Springs Country Club. We
able because of its effects on root have been pleading' for some real cogrowth. Attempts to make soil acid must operation between greenkeepers, club
therefore be undesirable because of the officials, and the real experts, and feel
phosphorus behavior. Even grass needs Charlie hits the nail squarely on the
some phosphorus, so by making soil head when he asks such cooperation.

LET'S HAVE REAL

COOPERATION

We are indebted to the Editor of the
N E W S L E T T E R both for his reprint of
Langton's article and for his own suggestion "An Idea"; however, I believe
that we are still following wrong trails
and round-about-paths. What we want
is something- more stable to lean upon
than we now have when turf diseases
attack us. I do not believe that any one
Greenkeeper or group of Greenkeepers
can hope to make much headway towards solving the problems of turf
diseases through their own efforts alone.
It makes no difference to me who the
individual Greenkeeper is, whether his
course is a "hayfield" or of championship rating. I do not care what his
native ability is or how much it has
been supplemented by formal study of
technical training, he cannot give this
problem the close attention and intensive study demanded by it to be productive of genuine results.
Our work is too diversified; we have
too many distractions even in our daily
routine to hope to be able to contribute
anything direct and immediate. At best
we can only expect to make snap judgements and advance half drawn conclusions. Radical? Most certainly not. Turn
to any professional field you choose and
you will find that research is as much
an integral part of the whole as any
other phase of the work. Research and
the research worker are vitally necessary to our field as well.
This season as never before should
convince every Greenkeeper that until
he looks at research work with an open
mind and wide spread arms he is notbeing true to himself, his Club, or his
profession. The open door to research
is nearer than it has been, but it is
directly up to all of us to see that this
door is fastened open and to cut down
the time as quickly as possible when the
mat with "Welcome" on it is put out for
all time.
We should all continue to make our
own observations and attempt to draw
conclusions, but do so advisedly. A
thousand false observations do not constitute a single argument for our giving
up this phase of our work, for who
knows but the next one may be of
value. Bordeaux Mixture was an accidental discovery first ptit on the vines
to prevent the stealing of grapes from
the vineyards. However, we cannot, sit
by and wait for some one to stumble on
an aid to our troubles, and the quickest,

surest and safest way to attack our
turf disease problems is to encourage
and promote research work.
It is my observation that we can
blame no one individual or group for tha
lack of definite progress on disease control, but three main groups are involved
and should admit their responsibilities.
They are, the Greenkeepers, Golf Officials, and those who have been termed
scornfully, "scientists". We have had
periodic flare ups from the "scientists",
often incomplete and not always practical, much better than no work whatever,
but why no sustained progress. Golf
Officials, I suspect are more or less to
blame for this lack of progression, for
in an off year for disease they forget,
and have caused what has, until recently, been the only source of turf research, the Greens Section of the U. S.
G. A., to side track the diseases and
pick up something else. It must appear
to any open mind that the actual work
of the Greens Section is in most capable
hands, but I wonder how often these
hands are allowed to work unhampered
and untied? Greenskeepers! We have not
always helped. Passive resistance is not
the exclusive property of Ghandi. Many
of us have used this method. At other
times we have not been passive, and
still other occasions have found us letting ourselves become panicky and have
upset the apple cart completely and
then have passed the idea and the blame
back to the "scientists" as being impractical.
We must shake our provincialism and
meet the research man more than half
way. To the research man I will say:
"There is a great deal of good in most
of us, bear with our indiviaualisms and
idiosyncrasies and always remember
that disease is only one of our troubles,
many of which are not apparent on the
surface, but nevertheless may have a
very strong influence on us and our
working conditions."
I believe that somewhere there is
someone, who given sufficient time and
full co-operation both in the field and in
the laboratory, will give us materials
and methods which will produce reasonably satisfactory control of our presentturf diseases.
Greenkeepers! When that time comes
let it not be said that the goal has been
reached in spite of us, but that we
have contributed materially through
our practical aid and whole hearted cooperation! _
Charles W. Parker
1

A COMPOST REVIEW

(Some ideas gathered here and there.)
Although dealers in certain organic
fertilizers recommended for putting
greens advertise the fact that compost
is no longer necessary on the golf course,
that their fertilizer takes its place;
nevertheless most greenkeepers use compost in some form in varying quantity.
Doubtless most courses need compost.
The fact that a putting green surface
can be evened and smoothed by an application of compost rubbed in, as no
organic fertilizer will do in such quantity as it can be used economically and
efficiently, will cause most greenkeepers
to use compost applications occasionally
for this purpose. For lightening stiff
soils applications of a sandy compost
are very helpful, and for increasing the
water-holding capacity of sandy soils
compost made with a high quantity of
humus is of assistance. In brief, although it is not the purpose of this
article to show why compost is necessary on the golf course, it is doubtless
true that the majority of greenkeepers
use compost, and hence observations
relative to its preparation are of interest and in order.
Compost as prepared on the estate,
the farm, and for the greenhouse has
mostly consisted of soil and manure
heaped in piles in alternate layers, with
other materials included, as grass clippings, leaves, straw, etc. Commercial
florists also use the field method extensively, and this method is probably the
most economical for the golf course
where there is plenty of land and good
soil available adjacent to the golf course.
The field method of preparing compost consists of spreading manure over
a piece of land where the soil is a good
loam or sandy loam, and plowing this
manure under. This process is usually
continued for two or three years, and
the area disced often to kill any weeds
which may germinate. The area is
usually turned several times and the
compost thus prepared is used two years
after the last application of manure. If
a compost screen on wheels is used, it
can readily be seen that compost may be
prepared by this method fairly economically.
All golf courses should have a compost pile or piles on which may be
thrown all refuse which may be of
assistance later. This pile would receive
plugs taken from greens and tees, clip-

pings, leaves, and such debris. Separate
piles should be used in such a way that
all material which might be detrimental
to the course would be put on piles
which are allowed to "break down" for
a longer time than the average compost
pile. Such piles might well be called
"humus piles", and the largest part of
the material used be such that it will
form htiinus when broken down. Manure should be spread occasionally over
such piles to introduce the necessary
bacteria, and an occasional layer of
loam is a benefit to such a pile. These
humus piles should be allowed to break
down for several years, and then this
material used with other compost, or it
may be mixed with other loam, and
screened the year following mixing.
Such humus piles are of great assistance to a course whose soil is sandy,
and also to those with stiff clay soils.
Where the pile method is used on the
golf course; it is most economical usually to make the piles long, and comparatively narrow, such as 15 or 20 feet,
and not too high, 3-4 feet. Both ends
should be sloped so that a tractor or
horse may ascend easily. Such piles can
be plowed several times during the season to kill any small weeds which germinate. When it is desired to turn over
such piles, it is easiest to do so with a
scoop, using either a horse or tractor.
Such a method is much more economical
than the old cut down and shovel up
method.
If a club has available on its grounds
supplies of peat, muck, or humus, and
desires to use such materials, it is usually best to compost such material before attempting to use it. It can be
spread with manure over a field of
loam, and the whole plowed and disced,
for the field method, or it can be used
in layers of loam, manure, sod, etc., for
the pile method. With either method,
the introduction of bacteria from the
manure and soil, is a prominent step in
the breaking down of the material.
Whatever method is used in the
preparation of compost, care should be
taken at all times to keep weed seeds out
of the compost. Weeds growing near piles
or fields should be hoed out or cut off
before they seed, and weeds which are
full of ripe seeds should not be used on
piles, but rather burned. It is never
necessary to worry about killing later
the weed seed kept out of the compost,
it is the ones let in which later must be
killed!
Many clubs now are fortunate enough

ECONOMY CALLS FOR THIS UNBREAKABLE GANG

MOWER

What a relief to escape
the expense and annoyance
of broken castings! This
one feature alone makes
the P e n n s y l v a n i a Quint or
Trio the most economical
gang mower you can buy, in
the long run.
Here is a large mower
Unit, built to automotive
standards, with malleable
iron of high tensile strength
in every part that needs it.
Frame, wheels, side plates,
lower knife bars, roller
brackets and shields—AH
Unbreakable.

When
Convention in New York next January
.„ you visit the Greenkeepers'
_
you will see this unbreakable Fairway Unit in the exhibit of 1932 models of
P e n n s y l v a n i a Mowers. It has stood all tests in operation this year.
W r i t e n o w f o r y o u r c o p y of o u r C O M P L E T E G O L F C A T A L O G .

JOHN J. NYHAN
120 Cypress Street, Brookline, Mass.
RACKLIFFE BROTHERS, INC.
New Britain, Conn.

Pennsylvania Lawn Mower Works, Primos, Delaware County, Pa.

Kill Weeds In The Fall

Late season applications are
recommended by the Experiment Stations.
Winter freezing assists chemical weed killing.
Take advantage of both. Treat
in Fall.
Use Atlacide
non-poisonous and effective.
For Sale By

f[ Si P^ l la af aa kuAat ff sl l
85 STATE STREET
Boston, Mass.

A COMPLETE LINE OF
GOLF COURSE EQUIPMENT
AND SUPPLIES
Distributors for:

Naco Golf Course Fertilizer
Royer Compost Machines
Koppers Sulphate of Ammonia
Albion Distributor
Hardie Power Sprayers
Thompson Sprinklers
Seeds, Fertilizers, Etc.

Arthur B. Porter, Inc.
55 DEARBORN STREET
SALEM, MASS.
Tel. S a l e m 23X7
W r i t e f o r o u r 193X
illustrated catalogue.

When buying from our advertisers, mention NEWSLETTER!

to have facilities through compost
shed, etc., whereby compost may be
screened inside, when dry, and at somewhat dull times. Compost sheds are
often built at two levels, so that the
compost may be brought in at the upper
level, and after screening, fall through
to the lower level, where it can be
stored until it is desired to use it on the
course. Usually where a larg'e supply of
compost is used yearly, it is efficient
and economical to have a compost shed,
as the screening of dry material is so
much more efficient than the screening
of wet material. In some cases, clubs
with no compost sheds screen enough
for the following year during the dry
period of the Summer, and store the
screened compost in smaller cellars or
buildings which are available.
There are several methods of killing,
or attempting to kill, the weed seeds in
compost. Baking and steaming are
probably the two most common, and
many clubs have outfits to either bake
or steam all their compost before using.
The extra work and expense from this
additional process is supposed to be
more than compensated by the freedom
from weeding later. Another method,
as used at the Charles River Country
Club, is to mix the screened compost in
a large cellar with poultry manure, and
to turn this mix several times. The
poultry manure "heats", and this heat
kills the weed seed. Recent investigation
has shown that weed seeds will germinate in some cases after many years in
loam, and doubtless many composts contain viable weed seeds. It is a simple
matter to test compost by putting some
in a flat and keeping it watered, noting
the number and varieties of weeds which
germinate.
Compost still has a big place on many
golf courses. The preparation of it is ai
job of magnitude in itself. It is work
which must not be slighted, even
though it doesn't show up much to the
average player. Whatever method or
methods are used should be determined
by the individual greenkeeper after a
careful survey of his course, but he
should ever be on the alert to take for
himself his neighbor's method if it is an
improvement on his own. He should
adapt the texture and kind of his compost to his own soil conditions. Efficient
compost preparation and use will be an
ever-helpful asset to his desired efficient
course maintainence.
Guy C. West.

OCTOBER

MEETING

The October meeting was held at the
Rhode Island Country Club, West Barrington, R. I. on October 5th. Messrs.
William Tobin, John Pyle, and Joseph
Ryan were elected to membership.
The Club Championship was played
in the afternoon, and won by John
Counsell of the Reservation Golf Club,
Mattapoisett, Mass., with a fine 84.
Jack went out in 39, but slipped a bit
coming in, needing 45 for the second
nine of this testing layout.
Other prizes were awarded:
2nd Gross—C. E. Sowerby 87.
1st net—M. J. O'Grady 91-15-76.
2nd net—M. McDonough 98-20-78.
3rd net—R. P. Robinson 102-24-78.
4th net—Tom Galvin 94-15-79.
Guest prize—J. Cashel 96-25-71.
Selected 17 holes, (prizes presented
by Tom Jones).
1st net Thomas Grady 80-7-73.
2nd net tie between—Jos. Oldfield 817-74—Martin Greene 81-7-74.
Over sixty-five members and guests
enjoyed the day spent at this fine club,
and we appreciate the fine hospitality
offered by the club and Mr. Galvin. We
also are indebted to Mr. Jones for the
prizes he donated, and thank him for
this courtesy.
Clifton E. Sowerby.
A recent bulletin from the Mass. Exp.
Station, "Hardy Woody Plants", by
Prank A. Waugh and Charles H.
Thompson, is of special interest to all
of us who have examined with interest
the many plants on the campus at the
Mass. State College. This bulletin
covers the history of the various college
plantations, and gives notes on species
and varieties of woody plants, with
special regard to their adaptability to
the conditions and climate at Amherst.
There is a strong possibility that
some short course for greenkeepers may
be offered by the Rhode Island State
College this coming Winter. Greenkeepers of Rhode Island are unanimous
in asking for such a course.
Most of the mischief that vexes this
world arises from words.

Hovey's

Reliable Grasses

BENTS

Colonial
Prince Edward Island
Rhode Island
Seaside or Coos C o u n t y
South German

Fancy Recleaned Red Top
Fancy Kentucky Blue Grass
Chewing's New Zealand Fescue
Sheeps Fescue
Italian & English Rye Grass

VICTORY FERTILIZERS
For Putting Greens 8-8-2

Per Ton $65.00

F o r Fairways 4-8-4

Per Ton $57.50

Humus

Per Ton $15.00

r
si

Dehydrated Cow Manure and I

"

W e are at
present mailing
our new price
lists of g r a s s e s
f o r fall shipm e n t a n d if f o r
any reason you
do not receive
your copy kindly a d v i s e
as
prices are much
iower.

V H

Complete Catalog on request.

Hovey & Company
150 MILK STREET
Boston, Mass.
Tel. Hancock 1454-1455

Consult
us
freely regarding your turf
difficulties, we
will i n s p e c t a n d
report on your
course without
charge.

Our advertisers aim to please YOU

A N E X P E R I M E N T IN C O M P O S I T I O N O F N U T R I E N T
AND GROWTH OF GRASS

SOLUTION

(Conducted at New Jersey Experiment Station)

Solution
A
B
C
D
E
Solution
A
B
C
D
E
Solution
A
B
C
D
E

Colonial Bent

Wt. of tops.
gms.

Wt. of roots.
gms.

22.8
21.0
22.9
29.8
28.3

14.6
14.9
15.5
26.6
22.6
Kentucky Blue

Wt. of tops.
gms.

Wt. of roots.
gms.

18.1
14.7
19.3
29.0
23.8

11.7
9.1
11.7
19.9
17.8

Depth of
root system
ins.
6.5
6.5
6.5
9.0
9.0
Depth of
root system
ins.
5.5
4.2
6.7
8.5
8.0

C h a r a c t e r of N u t r i e n t S o l u t i o n s

Calcium
nitrate.
1
1
1
1
1

Proportions of each chemical.
Ammonium
Potassium
Magnesium
sulphate.
phosphate.
sulphate.
3
1
5
5
1
3
O
3
3
o
1
3
5
1
1
7

An advanced Winter School for
greenkeepers is announced by Prof.
Lawrence S. Dickinson of the Massachusetts State College, to be held this
coming Winter, from Janvary 4th for
ten weeks. This course will be a continuation of the regular ten weeks
course which has attained so much
popularity nationally since its inception,
and is open only to those who have completed the regular course. Any greenkeepers who have completed the regular

course, and who are interested in this
new advanced course should communicate with Prof. Dickinson at once, as
enrollment is limited to 15, and there
are twelve applicants to date.
O u t of t h e B a g

Dean: "And where have you been
for the last week?"
Stude: "Stop me if you've heard this
one!"

The Worthington Lawn Tractor and Convertible
"Multigang" Gang Mower

This wonderfully efficient machine is of the well-known
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of being transformed at the will of the operator from its sevenunit formation and swath of 16 feet, into a Worthington five-unit
quintuplex or a Worthington three-unit Triple of respectively
twelve and seven feet width of swath. Any of these changes may
be accomplished by the unassisted operator in a minute's time.
The saving in expense of the cutting operations, by the adoption
of the "Multigang" which will cut an acre in four minutes, is one
of the features connected with the development of this incomparable machine.
The catalog which will be sent to you immediately upon
request, will describe these remarkable machines, which have by
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maintenance. Their use is fast becoming universal.
Write For Full Particulars To The

NEW ENGLAND REPRESENTATIVE
For The Worthington Mower Company

E. R. SAWTELLE
ONE STATE STREET
BOSTON
Telephone Hubbard 2424

T H E

BUEL
For

FERFORATOR

Better

Greens

FALL FERTILIZING PAYS
Fertilize and you Economize

Saves seed and labor costs next year

LAN-FER

The specially prepared ORGANIC
base Fertilizer builds up energy and
strength and puts the grass in a
healthy condition to withstand cold
weather and make an early start next
spring.
LAN-FER is made right and the
price is right.

LAN-FER SPECIAL FERTILIZERS
Castor Pomace Meal
Super-Phosphate
Chemicals
Write For Prices

M. F. LANSILL

Let

T h e Bue! P e r f o r a t o r H<^rt Y o u r
E q u i p m e n t L i s t F o r 1932,

J. F. BUEL

WOBURN.

MASS.

NOTICE
New England Greenkeepers Club
monthly tournament, Monday, November 2nd at Needham Golf Club, Needham, Mass., 10 miles southwest of Boston. 10 o'clock golf tournament. Dinner and regular meeting at 1.30 at
Needham Golf Club Clubhouse.
The New England Toro Company are
announcing a change of address to 1121
Washington Street, West Newton,
Mass., a larger and more convenient
location.
Ths
things
The
others

habit of going to the bottom of
usually lands a man on top.
saxophone will soon see itself as
hear it.

Special Fertilizers

86 CHARLES RIVER PKY
Newton, Mass.

"QUALITY"

LAWNS, GOLF and
SPORT TURF

MATERIALS
American and Imported Grass
Seeds, Fertilizers, Manures, Chemicals, F u n g i c i d e s , Soil S p o n g e , Imported Peat and Mowers.
60 C O N G R E S S S T R E E T
BOSTON, MASS.
Telephone Liberty 6021

Get 1 he Facts
Learn Why
Hubbard's Golf Course
Fertilizer
Will Give You Better Results.
Be Posted Before Making
Your 1932 Purchases.
Write For Information.

The
Rogers & Hubbard Co.

Fine Grass Seeds

can now be bought at the lowest prices in years. Why not
take advantage of this opportunity ?
Our stock includes a complete line of the finest quality
imported and domestic grass
seeds, and our analysis figures
are verified by two, and
sometimes three, authoritative
sources.
All inquiries receive prompt
and courteous attention.

Thos.2 1 5 W.S T AEmerson
Co.
TE STREET
BOSTON, MASS.
For quick service
Telephone, HUBbard 0985

Middletown, Conn.
Established

1878

IDEAL POWER
GREENSMOWER
LIGHTEST IN WEIGHT.
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IDEAL POWER LAWN MOWER CO.
Boston Factory Branch
273 BOYLSTON ST., BROOKLINE, MASS.

When writing our advertisers, mention NEWSLETTER

It Is Our Pleasure

to advise you that our growth has far exceeded the
quarters occupied for some years and that we are moving
to a larger and better place. Our new property is more
than three times larger than the old.
After November 1, 1931, we will be located at:
1121 WASHINGTON ST.—WEST NEWTON, MASS.
Our telephones will remain the same,
Newton North 7900- 7901.
We shall carry larger stocks of machinery, fertilizer,
accessories, tools, chemicals and sundries.
Our service shop will be the most modern known
to this section. Our equipment all up to date and
operated by experienced and reliable men.
We appreciate that this growth is due to the continued patronage of you men and we desire to publicly
acknowledge and thank you for this generous support.
We hope that our policy, products, service and price
may always justify the continuance of this good will.
You are invited to drop in when passing by, a cordial welcome by our entire personel is assured you.
A s w e e x p e c t t o b e m o v e d b e f o r e t h e 1st, y o u will e x p e r i e n c e
n o i n t e r u p t i o n s in s h i p m e n t s or service.

NEW ENGLAND TORO COMPANY