This N E W S L E T T E R
is published
monthly by t h e Greenkeepers Club of
N e w E n g l a n d , and sent f r e e to its members and t h e i r Greens' C h a i r m e n . Subscription price t e n cents a copy, or a
dollar a y e a r .
G U Y C, W E S T

Editor

312 Mt. P l e a s a n t St., F a l l Paver, M a s s .

M A R S T O N B U R N E T T . Business M g r .
330 W a l t h a m St., W e s t N e w t o n , Ma,ss.

F e b r u a r y , 1932

Vol. 4. No. 2

GOLF SHOW AND CONVENTION
T h e sixth a n n u a l Golf Show a n d
C o n v e n t i o n of t h e N a t i o n a l Association
of G r e e n k e e p e r s was held at t h e H o t e l
P e n n s y l v a n i a , N e w Y o r k City, f r o m J a n u a r y 19th to 22nd. A t t h e Golf Show,
over t h i r t y e x h i b i t o r s showed t h e n e w e s t
in golf course e q u i p m e n t a n d supplies.
Of special i n t e r e s t w a s t h e l a r g e Toro
exhibit of two M a s t e r T r a c t o r s , one with
seven u n i t hook-up and one with five
pull t y p e hook-up, h a n d and p o w e r mowers, K n o c k a b o u t , etc.; t h e P e n n s y l v a n i a
exhibit with its n e w 3 6 " f a i r w a y u n i t ;
t h e W o r t h i n g t o n seven g a n g hook-up,
S c o u t O v e r g r e e n , etc.; a fine g r a s s seed
and accessories exhibit by S t u m p p &
Walter; a new Staude Mak-a-Tractor;
I d e a l exhibit of f a i r w a y u n i t s a n d P o w e r
mowers, including new greens mower:
and m a n y o t h e r i n t e r e s t i n g exhibits of
seed, sprinklers, f e r t i l i z e r s , a n d o t h e r
supplies.
Dr. H o w a r d B. S p r a g u e acted as
c h a i r m a n of t h e a f t e r n o o n cbnferences..
Following an a d d r e s s of welcome by
P r e s i d e n t Morley, K e n n e t h W e l t o n of
t h e Greens Section w a s i n t r o d u c e d as t h e
first s p e a k e r of t h e W e d n e s d a y a f t e r n o o n c o n f e r e n c e . Mr. W e l t o n spoke on
"Soil S t r u c t u r e of P u t t i n g G r e e n s . " In
t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of a p u t t i n g g r e e n t h e
soil b e n e a t h should be considered. The
sub-soil should be so g r a d e d t h a t t h e r e
a r e no pockets or m o u n d s on t h e r.ubg r a d e . The old custom of l a y e r built
g r e e n s has b e e n f o u n d u n s a t i s f a c t o r y .
As g r e e n s a r e c o n s t r u c t e d f o r pitch
shots, t h e top soil m u s t be of such n a t u r e
t h a t it will n o t r e q u i r e c o n s t a n t w a t e r i n g
to keep i t s o f t enough to hold shots.
W h e r e c o n s t a n t w a t e r i n g is n e c e s s a r y ,
it is difficult to keen t u r f on t h e g r e e n ,
no p o r e space f o r air. Soil is v e r y f a s c i n a t i n g study. T h e soil s t r u c t u r e is t h e

a r r a n g e m e n t of t h e particles. Soil plasticity and cohesion a r e of g r e a t i m p o r t ance. O r g a n i c m a t t e r is v e r y i m p o r t a n t ,
h a s affinity f o r m o i s t u r e , holds small
particles. A soil e x p e r t would r a t h e r
e x a m i n e soil itself r a t h e r t h a n a physical
analysis of t h e soil.
A simple t e s t f o r d e t e r m i n i n g value
of soils: T a k e t h e soils to be t e s t e d , p u t
t h r o u g h sieves, screen samples into like
buckets, p u t in w a t e r u n t i l f r e e w a t e r
comes out, g e t samples in same consistency, same h a n d l i n g f o r all s a m p l e s ;
p r o c u r e u n i f o r m molds, p o u r each into
moid, t r o w e l off, set samples off until
d r y i n g on top, t a k e out of c o n t a i n e r s ,
let set, observe and see if some a r e still
w e t ; soils with no cohesion a n d plasticity
will c r u m b l e , too m u c h will stick tog e t h e r too well; r o u g h l y speaking, t h e
t y p e whose mold will b r e a k with t h e
h a n d s easily is good. Clay a n d silt loams
mixed with a t h i r d sand a n d a t h i r d
h u m u s m a t e r i a l will be p r e t t y n e a r all
right.
" S o m e T h o u g h t s on G r e e n k e e p i n g "
w a s t h e s u b j e c t of an i n t e r e s t i n g discussion by M. E. F a r n h a m of t h e Philadelphia C o u n t r y Club.
Greenkeeping
will n e v e r be an e x a c t science. T h e r e
will always be definite w o r k f o r t h e
G r e e n k e e p e r . The r a p i d d e v e l o p m e n t of
golf is responsible f o r most of our t r o u bles; g o l f e r s a r e d e m a n d i n g more. We
a r e w o r k i n g c o n t r a r y to N a t u r e . T h e r e
is p r o b a b l y no " b e s t . "
T h e r e is h a r d s h i p f o r t h e g r e e n k e e p e r
in t h e f r e q u e n t c h a n g e of g r e e n committee chairmen. The greenkeeper must
sell himself and his abilities as well as
e n l a r g e t h e m . T h e p e r c e n t a g e of g r e e n s
chairmen who d i c t a t e g r e e n k e e p i n g practices is still too large. The g r e e n k e e p e r ' s
position and abilities should n o t need
overalls. T h e g r e e n k e e p e r is responsible
f o r i n v e s t m e n t of t h o u s a n d s of dollars.
T h e g r e e n k e e p e r ' s advice should be
sought. If over-ruled, t h e g r e e n k e e p e r ' s
r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s should be p r e s e n t e d in
writing.
F u n d a m e n t a l l y , t h e m a n a g e r principle
is sound. Such d e v e l o p m e n t should n o t
displace a n y employee in t h e p i c t u r e ;
it is d a n g e r o u s unless m a n a g e r is qualified; he should be qualified and well paid.
T h e r e is n e e d f o r collective action on
a set of ethical s t a n d a r d s f o r g r e e n keepers.
The o p p o r t u n i t i e s to m e e t a n d discusi
p r o b l e m s have multiplied. W o r k i n g conditions n e e d to be b e t t e r e d . It is p u r -

poseless to r a v e a g a i n s t conditions a n d
not attempt to better them.
I t is essential f o r e a c h g r e e n k e e p e r
to sell himself as well as to m a i n t a i n
good t u r f .
J . O. Campbell of t h e W e t h e r s f i e l d
C o u n t r y Club n e x t spoke on " G r e e n keeping Yesterday and Today." Now a
t r a c t of land is looked over v e r y caref u l l y b e f o r e p u r c h a s e f o r golf course
use. A r c h i t e c t is necessary. T h e golf
s u p e r i n t e n d e n t should be on t h e job
when under construction. The greens
a r e t h e most i m p o r t a n t . H e i g h t h of c u t
should be t h r e e - e i g h t h s
inch,
with
h e i g h t h n o t c h a n g e d d u r i n g season.
G r e e n s should n o t be mowed in same
direction two days r u n n i n g . P o o r cont o u r i n g a n d poor d r a i n a g e cause t h e
most damage. Web-worms, earthworms,
J a p a n e s e b e e t l e s also cause t r o u b l e .
T h e r e should be a compost pile. Lime
now is only used f o r c o r r e c t i n g t o x i t y .
Equipment has changed drastically
in t h e last t e n y e a r s . It is n o t e c o n o m y
to use w o r n o u t or obsolete e q u i p m e n t .
Gi'eenkeeper should spend some t i m e
beautifying grounds. Trees are n o t cut
down n o w as m u c h as f o r m e r l y .
G r e e n k e e p e r s m u s t k e e p in f r o n t of
times, responsibility is g r e a t e r t h a n ever
before.
T h e costs of m a i n t e n a n c e can n o t be
standardized.
" T h e Care of T r e e s " w a s p r e s e n t e d by
H o m e r L. J a c o b s of t h e D a v e y T r e e E x p e r t Co. Size of r o o t s a f f e c t s t o p of t r e e .
Soil conditions a r e i m p o r t a n t to t r e e ,
t h e air can n o t be controlled, w h e r e a s
t h e soil, m o i s t u r e , a e r a t i o n in soil, t e m p e r a t u r e , can be controlled to some ext e n t . A b s e n c e of air in soil limits downw a r d g r o w t h of roots. A high w a t e r
t a b l e is n o t good, m a k e s shallow r o o t e d
t r e e s . D r a i n a g e will o f t e n m a k e g r o w t h
f a s t e r a n d deeper.
T h e f e r t i l i z e r r e q u i r e m e n t s of t r e e s
ar->. same as f o r o t h e r plants. Most imp o r t a n t e l e m e n t seems to be N i t r o g e n ;
p r e s e n t k n o w l e d g e seems to indicate t h a t
p h o s p h o r u s and p o t a s h a r e n o t n e e d e d
m o r e t h a n soil can supply. Possibly a
m i x t u r e of two of m a n y f o r m s of f e r tilizers m a y be best m e t h o d of application. I n some alkaline soils some t r e e s
n e e d i r o n ; it is not advisable t o use too
m u c h alkaline f e r t i l i z e r s . If m a n u r e is
used it should be well r o t t e d . P e a t moss
seems to be suitable f o r use in t r a n s planting.
T h e so-called c r o w b a r m e t h o d w a s
used first f o r convenience. N o w m e t h o d

used is w i t h p o w e r driven a u g e r s , m a k i n g
holes all over a r e a covered b y t r e e , or
even g r e a t e r .
Chemical f e r t i l i z e r or
chemical plus h u m u s m a t e r i a l used.
Holes a r e filled to w i t h i n a f e w inches
of top, a n d covered with soil. This
m e t h o d used y e a r a f t e r y e a r will improve t h e r o o t system. If p h o s p h o r u s
or p o t a s h is to be used it m u s t be
p u t down in t h e soil w h e r e it can be
used.
E x t r e m e s of t e m p e r a t u r e can be cont r o l l e d to c e r t a i n e x t e n t . Sod is good
p r o t e c t i o n f o r roots. Mulch of leaves
is s o m e t i m e s n e c e s s a r y ; should be t a k e n
off in Spring.
W i t h shallow r o o t e d
t r e e s , t h e use of g r o u n d covers such a s
p a c h y s a n d r a is to be r e c o m m e n d e d .
J o h n M a c G r e g o r of t h e Chicago Golf
Club p r e s e n t e d his ideas of "Golf Maint a i n e n c e B u d g e t . " G r e e n k e e p e r s should
h a v e b u d g e t , f o r e c a s t expenses and keep
t r a c k of expenses as t h e y a r e m a d e .
G r e e n k e e p e r is n o t a c c o u n t a n t , b u t cost
keeper. The average greenkeeper has
n o t k e p t costs long. K e e p course p e r f e c t ,
b u t do n o t exceed costs. T h e condition
of t h e course can n o t be cut, should h a v e
m a x i m u m of p a t r o n a g e and economy of
h a n d l i n g . G r e e n k e e p e r m u s t have system
of cost keeping.
Don't watch men, but watch work to
see t h a t t h e y have done it well. H a v e
m a n do c e r t a i n w o r k in c e r t a i n time.
A l w a y s best to ask f o r $1000 r e s e r v e
f u n d , t o be used in case of e x t r e m e need.
K e e p d i a r y of o p e r a t i o n s a n d cost of
each.
The
Thursday
afternoon
session
opened w i t h a t a l k by O. B. F i t t s of t h e
Columbia C o u n t r y Club, on t h e s u b j e c t ,
" P r e s e n t D a y R e q u i r e m e n t s of a Greenkeener." There are many more responsibilities now. F o r m e r l y g r e e n k e e p e r w a s
m e r e l y overseer. L e a d i n g m e n of y e s t e r y e a r a r e a m o n g t h e l e a d e r s of t o d a y .
T h e active g r e e n k e e p e r is a p e r p e t u a l
s t u d e n t . C o n t i n u e d responsibilities f o r
g r e e n k e e p e r a r e to be e x p e c t e d ; we m u s t
a n t i c i p a t e t h e s e n e w responsibilities. W e
know better now how to get information.
T h e designing a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n of
courses now o f t e n done b y g r e e n k e e p e r .
G r e e n k e e p e r should k n o w h o w to a n a lyze golf as played by e x p e r t a n d by d u b ;
should k n o w and use t h e e n v i r o n m e n t .
H e m u s t u n d e r s t a n d soils, d r a i n a g e ,
grasses, f e r t i l i z e r s , etc.
The g r e e n k e e p e r should t a k e a d v a n t a g e of t h e c o n s t a n t l y i n c r e a s i n g knowledge. H e m u s t be a good p u r c h a s e r of

e q u i p m e n t , f o r he n o w does t h e b u y i n g .
T h e s a l e s m a n m u s t n o w convince t h e
g r e e n k e e p e r , who i n v e s t i g a t e s t h e quality a n d price. T h e g r e e n k e e p e r h a s m a d e
a m o s t t h o r o u g h s t u d y of t h e n e e d s
of t h e golf course, a n d has m o r e ability,
a n d h a s convinced t h e c h a i r m e n of this
ability. T h e g r e e n k e e p e r m u s t be a
good b u y e r , a good business m a n .
T h e s e c o n v e n t i o n s give o p p o r t u n i t y
to s t u d y b u y i n g . T h e g r e e n k e e p e r should
be a good salesman, m u s t sell himself
a n d his ideas.
T h e g r e e n k e e p e r m u s t be a c o m p e t e n t
m a n a g e r of labor. H e m u s t be able t o
m e e t d e f e a t , m u s t h a v e t h e c o u r a g e to
come back, t h e desire to c o n q u e r , t h e
love f o r quality.
T h e p r e s e n t high s t a n d a r d of g r e e n k e e p i n g would not h a v e b e e n achieved
w i t h o u t t h e c o o p e r a t i o n of t h e e x p e r t .
T h e r e should be c o n t i n u e d c o o p e r a t i o n
w i t h t h e m , a n d w i t h golf a r c h i t e c t s ,
c h a i r m e n , etc.
Dr. J a c o b G. L i p m a n , D i r e c t o r of t h e
N. J. S t a t e E x p e r i m e n t Station, n e x t
spoke on " B a c t e r i a in R e l a t i o n to T u r f . "
T h e f u n c t i o n s t h a t b a c t e r i a c a r r y out in
soils a r e t h e o r e t i c a l l y n o t essential f o r
g r o w i n g of plants, b u t p r a c t i c a l l y t h e y
a r e essential. T h e r e is an a b n o r m a l env i r o n m e n t in p u t t i n g greens, c e r t a i n devices m a y be used to offset this. E n v i r o n m e n t a n d f o o d supply a r e i m p o r t a n t
in d e v e l o p m e n t of b a c t e r i a . T h e dist r i b u t i o n of organic m a t t e r is of g r e a t e s t
i m p o r t a n c e , g o v e r n i n g a m o u n t of w a t e r
in soil a n d t e m p e r a t u r e . T h e deeper
the root the more vigorous the plant and
t h e m o r e r e s i s t a n t to disease. T h e elem e n t c a r b o n is v e r y i m p o r t a n t .
F o r b e s t g r o w t h of p l a n t t h e r e should
be an o p t i m u m r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n soil
w a t e r and soil air. T h e r e is a c o n s t a n t
t r a n s f o r m a t i o n f r o m r a w m a t e r i a l to
f o o d , a n d f r o m f o o d to r a w m a t e r i a l .
N i t r o g e n is a v e r y i m p o r t a n t f o o d ; it is
f o u n d locked u p in v a r i o u s sources, m u s t
be b r o k e n down to a m m o n i a or essential
plant food.
F o r best g r o w t h p l a n t m u s t be provided w i t h m o i s t u r e , a n d n o t too m u c h .
D r a i n a g e is t h e n s o m e t i m e s n e c e s s a r y .
O r g a n i c m a t t e r , even p e a t , m a y be used
to i n c r e a s e t h e m o i s t u r e h o l d i n g c a p a c i t y
a n d to s t i m u l a t e b a c t e r i a activity. Comp o s t supplies soil b a c t e r i a , a sort of soil
inoculation. Bacteria are stimulated by
a p p l i c a t i o n of chemical f e r t i l i z e r ; this
m a y be too m u c h or too l i t t l e ; this will
also b r i n g in o t h e r f a c t o r s .

C. E. Tregillis n e x t discussed " T h e
Greenkeeper's Schedule." Maintenance
of Golf course is first requisite. Greenk e e p e r has golf course, g r o u n d s , r o a d s
a n d walks, buildings, etc. H e h a s t h e
h i r i n g of labor a n d its m a n a g e m e n t . No
two m e n will a s s u m e a u t h o r i t y over
o t h e r s in t h e same w a y . I t is t h e r e s u l t
t h a t counts and t h e cost of a c h i e v e m e n t .
H i r i n g of labor m a y be by m o n t h or
b y h o u r . Seasonable l a b o r e r is a n o t h e r
p r o b l e m . I t p a y s to k e e p a skeleton crew
t o g e t h e r . I t is m i s t a k e f o r g r e e n k e e p e r
to become i m m e r s e d in set of c h o r e s ;
t i m e - k e e p i n g a n d cup c h a n g i n g (or acc o m p a n y i n g m a n who c h a n g e s t h e m )
greenkeeper's work.
A n individual r e c o r d of w o r k e r s , c a r d
index system, gives d a t a in case of accident.
T h e g r e e n k e e p e r is j u s t as i n t e r e s t e d
in k e e p i n g within b u d g e t as a n y o n e else.
P u r c h a s e s in q u a n t i t y s o m e t i m e s a r e
economy.
Greenkeeper
should
have
k n o w l e d g e of w h e n and w h e r e to buy.
Do n o t keep too l a r g e an i n v e n t o r y of
s p a r e r e p a i r p a r t s , b e t t e r to h a v e e x t r a
u n i t s or an e x t r a t r u c k .
T h e g r e e n k e e p e r should k e e p c a r e f u l
records, as m a n y as t i m e allows. Should
also s u b m i t m o n t h l y r e p o r t . We a r e all
s t u d e n t s , c h a n g i n g all t h e t i m e , improvi n g t h r o u g h m e e t i n g s of this sort.
" N i t r o g e n C h a n g e s in t h e Soil" w a s
p r e s e n t e d b y Dr. M. H. C u b b o n of t h e
M a s s a c h u s e t t s S t a t e College.
Plants
p r e f e r n i t r a t e n i t r o g e n , b e s t f o r m available. W e p u t o r g a n i c m a t t e r on soil
a n d e x p e c t b a c t e r i a to do t h e w o r k .
T h e r e a r e m a n y o r g a n i s m s which do this
w o r k — t h o s e which p r o d u c e n i t r o g e n a r e
e x t r e m e l y f u s s y . S e v e r a l f a c t o r s influence these b a c t e r i a . Too m u c h w a t e r
m a y be serious.
T h e a m o u n t of n i t r a t e n i t r o g e n is t h e
f e r t i l i t y of t h e soil. T h e p r o p o r t i o n of
C a r b o n to n i t r o g e n is i m p o r t a n t . A n y
organic m a t e r i a l with less t h a n
nit r o g e n is n o t good f o r t o p d r e s s i n g . Topd r e s s i n g with p e a t s w i t h o u t addition of
some m o r e n i t r o g e n m a y be disappointing.
N i t r a t e b a c t e r i a s o m e t i m e s r e f u s e to
w o r k w h e n acidity is too g r e a t , t h e m o r e
acidity t h e slower t h e r e c o v e r y of n i t r o g e n a f t e r t h e addition of n i t r o g e n . Generally speaking, t h e speed with which
n i t r a t e s a c c u m u l a t e in soil is p r o p o r t i o n a l to a m o u n t of w a t e r soluble n i t r o gen in o r g a n i c m a t t e r in soil.
B a c t e r i a w o r k well except in t e m p e r a t u r e s below 60 degrees, t h e n r e q u i r e

;

Exclusive

New

England

Distributors

BE

WISE—FERTILIZE

For:

with

Premier Brand
Poultry
Rams Head

Pulverized

SPECIAL

Manure

Brand

Sheep

LAN-FER
COURSE

FERTILIZERS

Pulverized

LAN-FER

Manure

V . C. F a i r w a y

GOLF

Special

F a i r w a y & Green

8-6-2

Mixture

Fertilizer
LAN-FER

C o r o n a D r y A r s e n a t e of

Lead

Special

7-6-2

Fairway Mixture
also

Available for immediate shipment
a t a l l t i m e s . T h e h i g h e s t g r a d e s of
Bent Grasses, Fancy Re-cleaned Red
Top,
Fancy
Re-cleaned
Kentucky
Blue Grass.

Castor Pomace Meal
Super-Phosphate
Bone Meal
Chemicals
Write

For

Information.

M. F. LANSILL
85

STATE

Special

STREET

Fertilizers

86 C H A R L E S

Boston, Mass.

RIVER

Newton,

PKY

Mass.

for
SPEED

&

ECONOMY
in
j

AERATING
SEEDING
TOP

THE BUEL

DRESSING

PERFORATOR

Made By

J. F. Buei

-

-

Woburn, Mass,

S e e it d e m o n s t r a t e d a t t h e S p o r t s m a n a n d G o l f E q u i p m e n t S h o w
M e c h a n i c s B I d g . , F e b , 6 t o 13, B o s t o n , M a s s .
buying from our advertisers, mention

NEWSLETTER!

n e u t r a l soil. P a c k i n g h a s t h e same e f f e c t
as too m u c h w a t e r ; t h e b a c t e r i a suffocate.
B a c t e r i a t e n d to eat one a n o t h e r —
possibly b e s t to i n o c u l a t e w i t h n e w bacteria.
B e f o r e someone else's ideas a r e used,
g r e e n k e e p e r should s t u d y all t h e f a c t o r s
involved.
L. J . F e s e r of t h e Woodhill C o u n t r y
Club closed t h e a f t e r n o o n ' s p r o g r a m
w i t h a n o r a t i o n u p o n " O u r J o b " . Our
p r o b l e m seems to be to m a k e 75 cents
do j o b t h a t $1 used to do. To t h i n k
clearly a n d a c t wisely is essential f o r
everyone. A n a r m y of m e n , w o m e n , a n d
children a r e d e p e n d e n t u p o n t h e golf
c o u r s e s — d i r e c t l y or i n d i r e c t l y e v e r y
p u r c h a s e helps someone
somewhere.
T h e r e a r e lots of t h i n g s on golf courses
t h a t m a c h i n e s c a n n o t do, and lots t h a t
m a c h i n e s can do b e t t e r . " L a b o r - s a v i n g "
m a c h i n e r y is m i s n o m e r . If h a n d s displaced by m a c h i n e r y a r e used to i m p r o v e
course, it will help in several ways. The
b e s t e c o n o m y is to m a k e e v e r y dollar
in b u d g e t p r o d u c e 100 cents of w o r t h ,
d u t y , s a t i s f a c t i o n . P r a c t i c a l i n s i g h t and
k n o w l e d g e of j o b should be u s e d in
asking f o r proper budget.
Two r e e l s of m o v i n g p i c t u r e s m a d e
u n d e r supervision of M i d - W e s t Greenk e e p e r s Association a n d s h o w i n g maintainence
work
on v a r i o u s
courses
a r o u n d Chicago w e r e shown.
These
w e r e both i n t e r e s t i n g a n d i n s t r u c t i v e .
T h e a n n u a l b a n q u e t was held on
Thursday
evening.
Ganson
Depew,
C h a i r m a n of t h e U. S. G. A. G r e e n Sect i o n w a s p r e s e n t e d a c e r t i f i c a t e of
H o n o r a r y M e m b e r s h i p in t h e N a t i o n a l
Association of G r e e n k e e p e r s .
Various
o t h e r s p e a k e r s told of t h e fine cooperation which n o w exists b e t w e e n golf associations a n d t h e g r e e n k e e p e r s .
Dr. J o h n Monteith, J r . of t h e Green
Section opened t h e F r i d a y
afternoon
conference w i t h a t a l k on " T u r f
diseases". Slides w e r e shown of g r a s s and
its diseases. Diseases of p l a n t s a r e of
two t y p e s — b y some o r g a n i s m or by
some u n f a v o r a b l e condition s u r r o u n d i n g
p l a n t . F u n g i a r e dependent u p o n other
p l a n t s f o r t h e i r f o o d ; some of t h e m
cause diseases w h e n t h e y invade p l a n t s
t h a t a r e alive. In condition a f t e r blade
is invaded, n o t h i n g can be done to s a v e
t h a t blade of g r a s s .
Treatments without
good j u d g m e n t
are often dangerous. Different amounts
of compounds a r e needed to f u r n i s h

same a m o u n t of m e r c u r y .
Fertilizing
practice m a y
influence
brown-patch
a t t a c k s ; a m m o n i u m s u l p h a t e m a y encourage small b r o w n - p a t c h . T h e only
effect of concentration of m e r c u r y in
soil h a s been beneficial, helps in control.
W a s h i n g t o n s t r a i n is v e r y susceptible
to small b r o w n - p a t c h ;
Colonial
bent
v e r y r e s i s t a n t to small.
T h e r e will be c o n s t a n t increase in
l a r g e b r o w n - p a t c h w i t h increase in
t e m p e r a t u r e to o p t i m u m a r o u n d 83 degrees. T e m p e r a t u r e alone does not det e r m i n e w h e t h e r w e will h a v e brownp a t c h . Opening of a i r c u r r e n t s sometimes helps in control. T r e a t m e n t to remove s u r p l u s m o i s t u r e f r o m g r e e n is
advisable.
P h y t h i u m , snow-mold, leaf spot, etc.
w e r e also discussed b r i e f l y .
" E c o n o m y on t h e Golf C o u r s e " w a s
discussed by J o h n Quaill of t h e H i g h land C o u n t r y Club. E v e r y course and
methods on it a r e d i f f e r e n t f r o m all
others. P o i n t s to consider in economy—
construction, t o p o g r a p h y , l a r g e tees,
g r e e n s not too large, d r a i n a g e , f e r t i l izing, l a r g e t r a p s , etc. Good equipment
is best i n s u r a n c e a g a i n s t h i g h u p k e e p —
reliable e q u i p m e n t k e p t in good r e p a i r .
S t a n d a r d i z e on t y p e of e q u i p m e n t best
fitted
to course. P o w e r mowers f o r
greens sometimes a r e t i m e saving, f o r
tees a r e v e r y u s e f u l . P r i c e s a r e on
d o w n w a r d t r e n d . F a n c y n a m e s and
f a n c y claims go well w i t h f a n c y prices.
B u y i n g f r o m club m e m b e r s n o t a l w a y s
economy. Know sources
of
supply.
Greenkeeper should p l a n w o r k ahead,
give p r o p e r supervision of work. Bew a r e f a l s e economy.
Dr. H o w a r d B. S p r a g u e of t h e N e w
J e r s e y E x p e r i m e n t S t a t i o n gave an
i n t e r e s t i n g t a l k on "Soil Conditions in
Root Development". Roots a r e o f t e n
neglected because not seen. Roots a r e
vital, o r g a n s of a n c h o r a g e , food storage, absorb w a t e r a n d n i t r o g e n
and
n u t r i e n t . Roots t a k e u p l a r g e a m o u n t s
of w a t e r and n u t r i e n t s . Roots m u s t
occupy soil m a s s to g e t t h e i r f o o d —
only those l a y e r s t h a t a r e occupied by
roots a r e being used.
P r a t i c a l l y all of t h e w a t e r and n u t r i e n t s e n t e r t h e root h a i r s of v a r i o u s
roots.
T h e r e a r e v a r i o u s conditions in soil
which d e t e r m i n e t h e occupying of t h e
soil b u y t h e roots. Not too much w a t e r
gives b e t t e r r a t i o of roots a n d t o p s ;
d r a i n a g e t h u s helps. If we can p r e v e n t

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SEED

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Grasses

R
V

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c

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Victory

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Will

b e m a i l e d to all c u s t o m e r s a b o u t
February 15th.

e y & Comporay
E v e r y t h i n g in C o u r s e
Est.

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too much w a t e r in times w h e n roots
a r e being- f o r m e d , t h e root system will
be deeper. G r a s s roots a r e not p e r m a n ent, a r e v e r y t e m p o r a r y ; t h e g r e a t
b u l k of roots a r e f o r m e d in t h e g r o w i n g
season. Low t e m p e r a t u r e will p r e v e n t
activities of root development.
The
speed of w a r m i n g u p in S p r i n g is dep e n d e n t upon a m o u n t of m o i s t u r e and
compactness. T h e m o r e a b u n d a n t t h e
s u p p l y of available n u t r i e n t s , t h e more
extensive t h e root s y s t e m ; y e t it is
possible to g e t too much available nitrogen. Too acid soils h a v e h a r m f u l effect
on roots. L o w e r i n g h e i g h t of cut m u s t
reduce t h e root s y s t e m ; d w a r f e d top
and u n d w a r f e d root would be ideal.
Experiments with height
of
cut
showed p u t t i n g green length g i v i n g
l a r g e decrease over l a w n l e n g t h . Balance a t lawn l e n g t h w a s much b e t t e r .
We have not by a n y m e a n s solved t h e
question of root development,
merely
s t a r t e d t h e work. We would like to increase t h e root s t r u c t u r e ; we m u s t have
root h a i r s , hence m u s t give more a t t e n t i o n to t h e i r development.
Professor John Bracken gave
an
i l l u s t r a t e d t a l k on t h e l a n d s c a p e side
of golf course
development.
Prof.
B r a c k e n pointed out t h a t p l a y i n g the
g a m e should come first, b u t m a d e a plea
to save some b e a u t i f u l spots f o r t h e i r
beauty.
The a r t of "Re-building and Re-sodding Putting Greens" was
explained
bv Jos. Williamson of Columbus, Ohio.
T h e g r e e n k e e p e r should know
past
h i s t o r y of p u t t i n g g r e e n t h a t is to be
r e b u i l t and w h y it h a s failed. F a u l t y
construction or lack of p r o p e r d r a i n a g e
m i g h t h a v e caused t h e trouble.
Rebuilding should be given much t h o u g h t .
T h e life of a p u t t i n g g r e e n m a y be
over-estimated. The t r o u b l e m a y be in
t h e soil i t s e l f ; t h e soil m a y need renewing. The compost pile is still best f o r
g r e e n s ; soil is more i m p o r t a n t
than
commercial f e r t i l i z e r s and
manures.
Soil consisting of a t h i r d each, porous
soil, s h a r p sand, and h u m u s is good f o r
g r e e n s . If sub-soil is heavy, mix in sand
or cinders, and g r a d e . D r a i n a g e is very
necessary. T r e a d i n g t h e soil is still t h e
best w a y to firm it.
Mr. Williamson described his method
of resodding, lack of space p r e v e n t s us
f r o m including t h i s here.
A p a p e r on " F e r t i l i z e r s " by Robert J .
H a y e s w a s r e a d by t h e c h a i r m a n .

T h e i m p o r t a n c e of k n o w i n g t h e condition of t h e soil w h e r e t u r f m u s t be
m a i n t a i n e d c a n n o t be too s t r o n g l y considered, and periodical soil t e s t s should
be m a d e to d e t e r m i n e w h a t degree of
acidity t h e soil h a s .
I t is m y opinion t h a t no difficulty
should be experienced in
maintaining
t u r f if good j u d g e m e n t is used. W e
m u s t convince ourselves t h a t p l a n t life,
such as grasses, is s u b j e c t to environment. P l a n t s s t a y w h e r e t h e y a r e p u t
and cannot move w h e n conditions f o r
t h e i r g r o w t h and development a r e u n f a v o r a b l e . We g r e e n k e e p e r s m u s t provide p r o p e r g r o w i n g conditions i n o r d e r
to fulfill o u r p a r t in t h e g a m e of golf.
I t is m y opinion t h a t m a n y of our
t u r f troubles a r e directly due to excessive accumulation of acids c a u s i n g toxic
condition of t h e soil, r e t a r d i n g g r o w t h
of t u r f , locking u p necessary m i n e r a l s
f o r root g r o w t h , etcetera, t h u s deprivi n g t h e g r a s s of necessary food elem e n t s . I t can r e a s o n a b l y be expected
t h a t such conditions will affect the t u r f
during- t h e s u m m e r time. Our soils in
t h i s vicinity need considerable w a t c h ing and t e s t i n g to overcome t h i s trouble.
Acid soil n o t only deprives t h e t u r f
of its food but r e t a r d s t h e g r o w t h of
t h e m a n y b a c t e r i a necessary to c h a n g e
t h e a m o n i a t e s in t h e soil to n i t r a t e s .
M a n y of us p u t u p w i t h P o a A n n u a ,
w h e t h e r we like it or not. W h e r e
v e r y acid conditions a r e evident, w e
r u n into difficulty t r y i n g to keep i t in
a healthy, g r o w i n g condition. This, w e
h a v e been told, is because of t h e need
of a soil n e a r t h e n e u t r a l point and
f a v o r i n g alkalinity. B e i n g a n a t i v e
g-rass, w h e r e we m u s t t o l e r a t e it, we
m u s t m a i n t a i n it. I recommend giving it
a t t e n t i o n p r i o r to t h e hot spells of
s u m m e r . P o a A n n u a responds to limestone t r e a t m e n t . I t h i n k it will have a
h e a l t h i e r g r o w t h and be g r e e n e r if t h e
lime is applied in May or early J u n e .
So much f o r t e s t i n g soils. The n e x t
problem is f e e d i n g . Excessive a m o u n t s
of food will do more d a m a g e t h a n no
food a t all. Complete balanced foods
applied in t h e e a r l y s p r i n g in combination w i t h compost will benefit t h e t u r f
e\ r en more. V a r i o u s f o r m u l a s a r e recommended, b u t a selection should be m a d e
to fit one's need and r e q u i r e m e n t s . I a m
convinced
in m a i n t a i n i n g
my
own
course t h a t limestone h a s its value. Nit r o g e n m a y promote leaf g r o w t h . Phosphorous increases t h e root system. P o t ash f u r n i s h e s t h e s t a r c h e s and b r i n g s
t h e p l a n t to m a t u r i t y . I a m convinced

FOR

"QUALITY"

Factory Representatives For:
P e n n s y l v a n i a Mowers a n d T r a c t o r s

LAWNS, GOLF and
SPORT TURF

K o p p e r s S u l p h a t e of A m m o n i a
Naco-Peruviano

Guano

Fertilizer

Staude Tractors
J a c o b s e n P o w e r Mowers
D a r b y Steel P r o d u c t s
Elwinn Products
Seaside B e n t C o m p a n y
R a d w a y ' s T e s t e d Seeds
Goodyear

FINEST GOLF GRASSES
Separate Vars. or Mixture
Ver-Best P. G.
(7-8-2

62%

(6-8-1—70%

Woodworth Bradley
1 3 6 So. W a t e r St., P r o v . , R. I.
Conn.

Manure

Organic)

Complete Grass

5

Robin

Rd.,

In

Charge

of

ANDERSON

West

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Conn.

Manure

(5-6-2—65%

Organic)

(4-8-4—42%

Organic)

Gen-Purpose Grass

Manure

Mr. Advertiser

OTHER MATERIALS ARE
Fertilizers
Fungicides
Soil S p o n g e
Humus
Worm

Branch

C A R L H.

Manure

Organic)

Casta-Poma Grass

Hose

Chemicals
Insecticides
Peat Moss
Implements
Eradicators

F. & N. F a i r w a y M o w e r s
F. & N. P u t t i n g G r e e n M o w e r s
Locke Power Lawn Mowers

Do you wish to g e t y o u r
tising- b e f o r e those who
course

equipment

and

adver-

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T h e N E W S L E T T E R goes directly,
a n d is r e a d by, t h e G r e e n k e e p e r s a n d
Green

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60 CONGRESS STREET
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and

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G l e n H e a d , L . I., N . Y .
O u r L a t e s t Price List Sent
On Request.

F o r space a n d r a t e s in t h e
NEWSLETTER,

1932

write:—

Business M a n a g e r — N e w s l e t t e r
330

Walthaim

Street

West Newton, Mass.

however t h a t lime is more
important
u n d e r acid or toxic conditions because
f e r t i l i z e r s c a n n o t beneficially f u n c t i o n
if applied to toxic soils and in some
cases do m o r e d a m a g e t h a n good.
T h e a n n u a l S t a g P a r t y , held F r i d a y
n i g h t closed t h e 1932 Show and C o n f e r ence.

CONVENTION

NOTES

Over t h i r t y m e m b e r s of t h e Greenkeepers Club of N e w E n g l a n d
were
p r e s e n t , a n d several more f r o m N e w
E n g l a n d , non-members of t h e club.
T h e 1933 Convention will be held in
Chicago; t h e 1934 Show probably in
Toronto.
J o h n Morley w a s re-elected P r e s i d e n t
of t h e N a t i o n a l Association f o r 1932.
O t h e r officers elected w e r e : J o h n MacGregor, 1st Vice P r e s ; F r e d B u r k h a r d t ,
Sec. and T r e a s ; Directors, J o h n A n d e r son, W i l l i a m Sansom, M. E. F a r n h a m ,
E d . B. Dearie, Carl A. BretzlafF, L. J .
F e s e r , J o h n Quaill; T r u s t e e s — J o s e p h
Williamson, J o h n
P r e s s l e r , George
Alves.
A f e w ideas of i m p o r t a n c e f r o m t h e
conference t a l k s w o r t h y of your a t t e n t i o n would include—possibility of soil
inoculation
with
bacteria,
ethical
standards f o r greenkeepers,
budgets
and cost keeping, how t o m a k e more
root h a i r s , etc.

The
Rhode
Island
Greenkeepers
Association met a t t h e
Narragansett
Hotel, Providence, on J a n u a r y
11th,
P r o f e s s o r L a w r e n c e Dickinson of
the
M a s s a c h u s e t t s S t a t e College g a v e t h e
r e s u l t s of t h e P r e - s e e d i n g F e r t i l i z a t i o n
e x p e r i m e n t conducted a t t h e
College
Greenkeepers
w i t h cooperation of t h e
Club of N e w E n g l a n d .
D e a n A d a m s of Rhode Island S t a t e
College explained t h a t no s h o r t course
f o r g r e e n k e e p e r s would be offered this
W i n t e r , as t h e College h a d not h a d
sufficient time to p r e p a r e m a t e r i a l f o r
such a course. I n all probability a
school of a week's d u r a t i o n will be
offered in 1933. D r . T. E . Odland a n d
M r . H. F . A. N o r t h of t h e Rhode Island
E x p e r i m e n t S t a t i o n also spoke of v a r ious e x p e r i m e n t s which
are
being
planned.

H a v e you visited t h e
Sportsman's
a n d Golf Show, a t Mechanics Building,
Boston, f r o m F e b . 6 t o 13?

A section of an editorial by Col.
B e n j a m i n A. F r a n k l i n , f o r m e r
President, Associated I n d u s t r i e s of Massachusetts, on t h e f r o n t cover of t h e
J a n u a r y 9th issue of " I n d u s t r y " can
be well applied to golf course m a n a g e ment :
" I n t h e most successful business t o d a y
t h e r e a r e two controls.
" T h e first is t h e detailed budget. T h e
b u d g e t sets, f o r t h , in clear detail w i t h
e x p l a n a t o r y schedules, d e p a r t m e n t by
d e p a r t m e n t , all expenses and income
planned, w i t h proposed bases of accomplishment.
" T h e second is t h e detailed c o m p a r ison of a c t u a l expenses and
income,
m o n t h by month, and period b y period,
p a r a l l e l i n g t h e b u d g e t , w i t h a c t u a l accomplishment obtained."
W e believe t h a t every club should
o p e r a t e upon a budget, s o m e w h a t elast i c f o r golf course m a i n t e n a n c e , because
of t h e m a n y f a c t o r s which can c h a n g e
expenses, b u t a budget a n y w a y ,
to
which it is hoped t h e club can be r u n .
And t h e g r e e n k e e p e r should be consulted u p o n t h e m a n n e r in which t h e
b u d g e t is to be expended. H o w fine it
would be f o r a club to s a y to its greenkeeper, " H e r e is our b u d g e t f o r t h i s
coming y e a r , give us t h e best you can in
t h e w a y of golf course m a i n t e n a n c e
f o r this sum, r e n d e r us r e p o r t s m o n t h l y
as to how t h e expenses a r e going, and
w h a t you a r e accomplishing, do not be
a f r a i d to call upon us if you need help,
tell us w h e n
something
unforseen
a r i s e s and you need more money, a t t e n d and t a k e an active p a r t in all of
our greens committee meetings, and w e
expect y o u r best efforts". Some clubs
a r e w o r k i n g along these lines, how does
y o u r club go about it?

" E v e r y service you r e n d e r serves you
in t h e end".
"Class no m a n as a f a i l u r e u n t i l you
see h i m q u i t . "
" L e a r n to m a n a g e men and you'll
h a v e hit t h e s h o r t e s t t r a i l to big-time
leadership".
"Machines follow rules. Men i n t e r p r e t
them".
" T h e angels a r e still singing'.
I t ' s our w a v e l e n g t h t h a t ' s a t f a u l t . "

R.

E. B R A D L E Y
IDEAL

TAKES

BOSTON

OVER

BRANCH

T h e Ideal P o w e r L a w n Mower Comp a n y r e c e n t l y a n n o u n c e d a c h a n g e in
p e r s o n n e l , also some c e r t a i n c h a n g e s in
t h e o p e r a t i o n of t h e f a c t o r y b r a n c h located a t 273 Boylston S t r e e t , Brookline,
which has b e e n s e r v i n g t r a d e in this
section f o r a n u m b e r of y e a r s .
E f f e c t i v e first of J a n u a r y t h e n a m e
of t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t in Boston was
c h a n g e d to t h e Ideal Mower Sales &
Service, a n d t h e e n t i r e b u s i n e s s is being t a k e n over b y Mr. R. E. B r a d l e y .
F o r a n u m b e r of y e a r s Mr. B r a d l e y
h a s been in t h e employ of t h e Ideal
P o w e r L a w n Mower C o m p a n y a n d is
t h o r o u g h l y f a m i l i a r w i t h their complete
line of e q u i p m e n t , b o t h f r o m a service
a n d sales s t a n d p o i n t , h a v i n g been conn e c t e d with t h e f a c t o r y b r a n c h in Det r o i t f o r a n u m b e r of years, a n d l a t e r
a c t i n g as a special r e p r e s e n t a t i v e covering dealer and golf t r a d e s in a l a r g e
p o r t i o n of t h e s o u t h e a s t e r n section of
t h e U n i t e d States.
Mr. B r a d l e y is t h o r o u g h l y experienced in all p h a s e s of golf e q u i p m e n t

business and we f e e l sure t h a t he will
be h e a r t i l y welcomed by t h e Greenk e e p e r s of t h e New E n g l a n d section. W e
k n o w t h a t he has e v e r y f a c i l i t y a t his
c o m m a n d f o r giving t h e finest kind of
cooperation.

A m o n g recent l e t t e r s to t h e N E W S L E T T E R w a s one f r o m t h e E d i t o r of
T H E G O L F E R of Sydney, A u s t r a l i a ,
a s k i n g f o r r a t e s and permission to rep r i n t articles f r o m t h e N E W S L E T T E R .
T H E G O L F E R is t h e only weekly
j o u r n a l devoted entirely to golf in
A u s t r a l i a , and we a r e pleased to note
t h a t we have been h e a r d of by t h i s dist a n t contemporary.
All m e m b e r s a r e a g a i n requested to
send to t h e E d i t o r all changes of address, or c h a n g e s in g r e e n committee
chairmen. If you know of a club which
needs a greenkeepar, or a g r e e n k e e p e r
who needs a position, communicate w i t h
y o u r E m p l o y m e n t Committee. If
you
know of a n y member who is ill, or who
needs assistance, communicate
with
y o u r W e l f a r e Committee.

A n Established Service
Under New

Name

This is to announce t h a t

arrangements

have

been

completed covering t h e sale and service of t h e complete line
of e q u i p m e n t m a n u f a c t u r e d by t h e Ideal

Power

Lawn

Mower Company. The f a c t o r y b r a n c h has been t a k e n over,
and t h e same complete stock will be carried and the same
courteous service will be r e n d e r e d by

The Ideal Mower Sales and Service
R. E. B r a d l e y ,

Prop.

273 Boylston Street—Brookline,

W h e n writing our advertisers, mention

Mais.

N E W S L E i FER

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Good Machinery Will Meet Lowered Budgets

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L o w e r b u d g e t s f o r this c o m i n g y e a r will d e m a n d closer s t u d y of
e q u i p m e n t , b o t h as to q u a l i t y and price. T O R O h a s r e d u c e d prices, y e t
t h e high q u a l i t y of m a t e r i a l s and w o r k m a n s h i p is b e i n g m a i n t a i n e d .
M a i n t e n a n c e costs m a y be lowered b y r e p l a c i n g obsolete e q u i p m e n t
w i t h i m p r o v e d models, by t h e addition of e x t r a g a n g mowers, on the
r o u g h s a n d f a i r w a y s , a n d p o w e r driven m a c h i n e r y f o r tees, a p p r o a c h e s
a n d odd corners. Mechanical f e r t i l i z e r a n d t o p d r e s s i n g m i x e r s and
s p r e a d e r s have lowered l a b o r u n i t costs.

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Hand

Putting

Greens

Mower

This m a c h i n e c o n t i n u e s in f a v o r
as A m e r i c a ' s finest h a n d g r e e n s
mower.
Now e q u i p p e d with 8
blade r e e l of c h r o m e v a n a d i u m
steel.
This m a c h i n e is n o w b e i n g used
b y t h o u s a n d s of owners.
New

Low

Price

$55.00

Less Accessories
f.o.b. f a c t o r y

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NEW ENGLAND T O R O C O M P A N Y
WEST NEWTON,

MASS.

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