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The Vintage of Wisdom is to know that Rest is Rust,
and that real life is in Love, Laughter and Work.
—Elbert

APRIL
1 ( 1 3 5

a

-

Hubbard.

This N E W S L E T T E R
is
published
m o n t h l y by t h e G r e e n k e e p e r s Club of
New E n g l a n d , and s e n t f r e e to its m e m b e r s and t h e i r G r e e n s ' C h a i r m e n . Subscription price t e n c e n t s a copy, or a
dollar a y e a r .
GUY C. W E S T

Editor

312 Mt. Pleasant St., Pall River, Mass.

H O W A R D D. F A R R A N T Business Mgr.

132 Russett Rd., W e s t Roxbury, Mass.

April, 1935

Vol. 7, No. 4
I

WONDER

b y Charles W. P a r k e r
A t the recent Recreation Conference
a t t h e S t a t e College d u r i n g discussion
of f u t u r e policies f o r t h e Golf Section
t h e t y i n g in of t h e G r e e n k e e p e r with
t h e m a n a g e r s h i p of t h e e n t i r e club seems
t o have cropped u p m o r e f r e q u e n t l y
t h a n ever b e f o r e . It was s t a t e d and
g e n e r a l l y a c c e p t e d t h a t t h e " t r e n d of
t h e t i m e s " is' t o w a r d a G e n e r a l M a n a g e r a n d t h a t it behooves all i n t e r e s t e d
in f u t u r e success in t h e field of Greenk e e p i n g to follow this " t r e n d of t h e
t i m e s " closely with t h e idea of fitting'
oneself f o r t h e j u m p to a m a n a g e r i a l
position.
I suppose e v e r y a m b i t i o u s Greenk e e p e r has t o y e d with t h e i d e a of bec o m i n g a Club M a n a g e r , a n d a f t e r
listening to t h e kind and sincere words
of a f e w p r a c t i c a l m i n d e d golf officials
r e g a r d i n g t h e qualifications of t h e succ e s s f u l G r e e n k e e p e r as possible m a n a g e r m a t e r i a l t h e individual is h a r d l y to
be b l a m e d f o r f e e l i n g t h a t such a posit i o n is a definite step f o r w a r d a n d a
w o r t h w h i l e goal to strive f o r . I wonder.
At the often maligned "bull fests"
in H a m p . , i n t e r e s t i n g a n d s u r p r i s i n g l y
i n f o r m a t i v e a r g u m e n t w a s held on this
s u b j e c t by G r e e n k e e p e r s , salesmen a n d
manufacturers representatives.
Again
t h e G r e e n k e e p e r a c c u m u l a t e d , in t h e
f o r m of h o r r i b l e examples, m a n y r e a sons w h y he is qualified to r e t u r n to Ms
club m o r e efficient a d m i n i s t r a t i o n and
t o b r i n g to himself increased m a t e r i a l
r e t u r n s as a m a n a g e r . A g a i n I w o n d e r .
W h y do I w o n d e r ? C o n s i d e r !
T h e title M a n a g e r b r i n g s to t h e mind
of t h e u n i n i t i a t e d , above all things, t h e
i d e a of a business a d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r
t h e club a d o p t i n g this policy.
The

f u n d a m e n t a l idea of b r i n g i n g t o g e t h e r
all t h e loosely r e l a t e d d e p a r t m e n t s ' u n d e r
one head who alone shall be responsible
to t h e g o v e r n i n g b o d y f o r efficient,
economical and s a t i s f a c t o r y o p e r a t i o n
of t h e e n t i r e club. T h e m a n a g e r ' s finger
m u s t be on t h e pulse of e v e r y d e p a r t m e n t d u r i n g t h e d o r m a n t as well as t h e
active season. H e m u s t keep his ear
to t h e g r o u n d to catch m e m b e r r e a c t i o n
to club policies and to h e a r t h e first
w h i s p e r i n g s indicative of b r e a k d o w n of
m e m b e r s h i p morale. His eyes m u s t be
f o c u s e d s h a r p l y on income and o u t g o
with p a r t i c u l a r a t t e n t i o n to outgo. T h a t
briefly covers t h e salient p o i n t s of t h e
p i c t u r e b r o u g h t to mind w h e n t h e m a n a ger, as i n d i c a t e d by t h e " t r e n d of t h e
t i m e s " is u p f o r discussion.
W h a t a r e t h e a c t u a l i t i e s ? Quite different.
T h e r e is no f u l l t i m e C o u n t r y Club
in New E n g l a n d w h e r e t h e M a n a g e r
f u n c t i o n s , completely and f u l l y , as such.
This will be questioned, I know, b u t a
search will d e m o n s t r a t e t h a t in e v e r y
case t h e r e will be a t least one d e p a r t ment where the manager's functions
a r e t h a t of, a t best, a " Y e s m a n " . Obviously t h e n t h e elevation ( ? ) to t h e
position of m a n a g e r does n o t a u t o m a t i cally c a r r y with it all t h e j o y s and
h o n o r s of " m o n a r c h of all he s u r v e y s . "
To c o n t i n u e : T h e m i n u t e an individual steps over t h e clubhouse t h r e s h old as m a n a g e r t w o - t h i r d s of his effectiveness as a d m i n i s t r a t o r of all o t h e r dep a r t m e n t s is lost. Lost? R a t h e r , wiped
o u t b y t h e d e m a n d s of his s t e w a r d s h i p
and t h e exactions of p e r s o n a l service.
Inconceivable d e m a n d s a r e m a d e u p o n
him to a d j u s t r e a l or f a n c i e d disservice.
Unbelievable f a v o r s a r e e x p e c t e d of
him, within a n d w i t h o u t t h e club. A n d
since h u m a n n a t u r e r e m a i n s c o n s t a n t
a n d t y p i c a l these d e m a n d s m i l continue to be m a d e and t h e m a n a g e r will
c o n t i n u e to devote a l a r g e a m o u n t of
his t i m e to t h e m . Is he to be blamed
or c e n s u r e d ?
Hardly!
One of t h e
quickest and s u r e s t " o u t s " f o r a m a n a g e r is f o r him to p r e s e r v e an i m p a r t i a l
a n d i m p e r s o n a l a t t i t u d e in his d i r e c t
c o n t a c t s w i t h his m e m b e r s .
T h e Achilles t e n d o n of e v e r y club
m a n a g e r is his d i n i n g r o o m profit, a n d
his success in p r o m o t i n g a n d p r e s e n t i n g
social f u n c t i o n s . If outside f u n c t i o n s
a r e b a r r e d his t r o u b l e s will be f r o m
t h e m e m b e r s h i p only b u t if, t o p r o m o t e
additional
revenue,
external
social
f u n c t i o n s a r e welcome God g i f t e d indeed is t h e m a n who can a t t r a c t outside g r o u p s to t h e club, m e e t their r e -

^ ^

q u i r e m e n t s , show a s a t i s f a c t o r y profit
f o r t h e club a n d n o t i n t e r f e r e with t h e
r e a l or f a n c i e d r i g h t s of t h e m e m b e r s .
Dining r o o m profit, or t h e lack of it,
is t h e d o w n f a l l of m a n y
excellent
s t e w a r d s and house m a n a g e r s . It is indeed t h e v u l n e r a b l e spot which can
n e v e r be a d e q u a t e l y p r o t e c t e d . M a n y
a n d devious a r e t h e office a c c o u n t i n g
p r a c t i c e s r e s o r t e d to, s a n c t i o n e d o f t e n
b y a lax or f r i e n d l y g o v e r n i n g body,
t o m a k e t h e figures show a profit. B a r
profits, e x t e r n a l social r e v e n u e , slicing
f r o m the Greens Pees f r o m organization
business, a n d E n t e r t a i n m e n t C o m m i t t e e
profits a r e b u t a f e w of t h e w a y s of
r e c r u i t i n g r e s e r v e s to bolster u p t h e
w e a k black ink on t h e dining r o o m
profit or loss sheet. All this is of no
avail, e v e n t u a l l y opposition develops.
Critical s c r u t i n y
of
the
manager's
m e t h o d s comes to t h e f o r e and, if f o r
no o t h e r reasons, lack of s a t i s f a c t o r y
dining room, profit can always be used
as t h e excuse f o r o u s t i n g t h e hapless
manager.
A discussion of dining r o o m m a n a g e m e n t is n o t within m y p r o v i n c e ; I am
c o n t e n t to r e s t on t h e opinion of a
qualified, s u c c e s s f u l m a n a g e r of l a r g e
city club® H e has s t a t e d quite f u l l y
with s u p p o r t i n g f a c t s a n d figures t h a t
a r e a l n e t p r o f i t f r o m a club d i n i n g r o o m
is p r a c t i c a l l y impossible of p r o d u c t i o n .

^ ^

F o r the sake of e m p h a s i s let me rep e a t . The m i n u t e a m a n steps inside
t h e club house door as m a n a g e r twot h i r d s of his effectiveness to t h e r e s t of
t h e d e p a r t m e n t s which go to m a k e u p
t h e club as a whole is lost. T h e d e m a n d s
m a d e u p o n him f o r p e r s o n a l service, t h e
p r e s s u r e e x e r t e d on him to p r o d u c e a
profit w h e r e profit is an impractibility,
plus t h e m a n y e x t r a o r d i n a r y services
expected, v a r y i n g in a m o u n t a n d exactness w i t h t h e individual club definitely
set u p t h e above s t a t e m e n t as an axiom.
W e m a y d e c o r a t e t h e a r g u m e n t s of
w h y a G r e e n k e e p e r shall aim t o w a r d a
m a n a g e r i a l position as m u c h as we like,
a little of t h e d e c o r a t i o n will be f a c t ,
m o s t of it will be f a n c y b u t t h e u n d e r l y i n g r e a s o n f o r all this a r g u m e n t a n d
a g i t a t i o n is simply this, m o n e y ! W h y
does t h e m a n in t h e house receive, by
a n d large, a g r e a t e r s a l a r y t h a n t h e
G r e e n k e e p e r ? Again, a discussion p r o
and con of e q u i v a l e n t pay, inside a n d
out, does n o t b e l o n g h e r e b u t a discussion of w h y t h e house m a n does receive a l a r g e r s a l a r y t h a n t h e Greenk e e p e r is c e r t a i n l y m o s t r e l e v a n t .

F u n d a m e n t a l l y t h e m a n in t h e house
is r e n d e r i n g direct a n d p e r s o n a l service.
H u m a n n a t u r e r u l e s t h a t p e r s o n a l service is always h i g h e r paid t h a n i n d i r e c t
a n d i m p e r s o n a l service. Y o u r l a b o r e r
on t h e golf course is r e t u r n i n g t h e
m e m b e r t h r u s k i l l f u l care of the links
quite as m u c h service as t h e w a i t r e s s
who serves his m e a l s or t h e locker m a n
who shines t h e shoes b u t does t h e m e m b e r a p p r e c i a t e this? N o ! T h e g r e e n s m a n s service is indirect, it is i m p e r s o n a l
and h u m a n n a t u r e seldom recognizes
service which does n o t c o n t a c t it individually. A n y s u c c e s s f u l house m a n a g e r k n o w s this. H e knows t h a t it is
p a r t of his stock in t r a d e . " F i n e p e r s o n a l i t y " is o f t e n t h e expression used
in describing a house m a n a g e r . This
p e r s o n a l i t y value is a p p r e c i a t e d
and
exploited to t h e N t h . d e g r e e b y e v e r y
w o r t h w h i l e house m a n a g e r . W h o will
say he is w r o n g or servile. M a t e r i a l l y
he gains by it and t h e m a n a g e r of one
of N e w E n g l a n d ' s l a r g e s t hotels is
a u t h o r i t y f o r , " I t n e v e r does a n y h a r m
t o say, " S i r " to a m a n . " T h e G r e e n k e e p e r can n e v e r hope to a t t a i n this
close p e r s o n a l c o n t a c t with his m e m bership n o r am I sure t h a t the end r e sults will be g r a t i f y i n g if he does
m a k e a sincere e f f o r t to do so. H e r e
a n d t h e r e a G r e e n k e e p e r exists who because of individual a p t i t u d e f o r showm a n s h i p impresses himself on t h e maj o r i t y of t h e m e m b e r s h i p .
Investigation will p r o v e t h a t this m a n ' s p a y is
t h e equal of or g r e a t e r t h a n a n y o t h e r
employee of t h a t p a r t i c u l a r club. M o r e
power to him. B u t as long as t y p e of
w o r k s t a m p s its individuality on t h e
p e r s o n p u r s u i n g it so long will t h e
G r e e n k e e p e r be a p o o r self a d v e r t i s e r .
N a t u r e is a h u m b l i n g mistress.
No one will wish g r e a t e r success t h a n
I to a n y G r e e n k e e p e r who steps into a
m a n a g e r i a l position. No one will advise g r e a t e r caution a n d a c a r e f u l s t u d y
of t h e proposition f r o m all angles t h a n
will I to a n y G r e e n k e e p e r c o n t e m p l a t ing such a step. No one can be m o r e
c o n s e r v a t i v e t h a n I in advising or sugg e s t i n g t h e e x p e n d i t u r e of time, e n e r g y
or m o n e y in p r o p o g a t i n g t h e idea t h a t
" t h e t r e n d of t h e t i m e s " i n d i c a t e s t h a t
t h e G r e e n k e e p e r m u s t fit himself f o r a
m a n a g e r s job.
To those who dismiss m e as a defeatist,
an
ultra-conservative
or
a
J o h n n y - a f r a i d - o f - t h e - d a r k I will s a y ;
E x a m p l e s a r e n e v e r axioms. E x c e p t i o n s
serve b u t to p r o v e t h e r u l e ; a n d I m u s t

ask t h e m to consider t h e following very,
v e r y c a r e f u l l y , w h a t is t h e p e r c e n t a g e
of house m a n a g e r s of t h e i r k n o w l e d g e
who have w e a t h e r e d m o r e t h a n
five
successive y e a r s of e m p l o y m e n t a t a n y
one club?

SERVICE

SECTION

DINNER

g a i n i n g k n o w l e d g e of t h e
intricate
phases of golf course m a i n t e n a n c e and
c o n s t r u c t i o n . N e w g r a s s e s have been
developed which a r e m o r e suitable f o r
golf t u r f a n d b e t t e r a d a p t e d t o o u r soil
conditions.
New fertilizer
programs
h a v e b e e n established and a m o r e economical and effective control of diseases
and insects has b e e n p r o m o t e d .
The successful

The t h i r d a n n u a l d i n n e r m e e t i n g of
t h e Service Section C o m m i t t e e of t h e
M. G. A. w a s held on A p r i l 5th a t t h e
Charles River C o u n t r y Club, with 118
club officials and g r e e n k e e p e r s p r e s e n t .
This m e e t i n g w a s in c h a r g e of Mr. C.
A d r i a n S a w y e r , C h a i r m a n of t h e Service Section C o m m i t t e e . T h e s p e a k e r s
included P r e s i d e n t W e s t of t h e Greenk e e p e r s Club, P r e s i d e n t Mason of t h e
M. G. A., J a m e s M c C o r m a c k of t h e
U n i c o r n C o u n t r y Club, P r e s i d e n t R o g e r s
of t h e B r a e B u r n C. C., P r e s i d e n t
G r e e n e of t h e Charles River C. C., Secr e t a r y Charles Gilman of t h e Wollaston
G. C., F r a n c i s Ouimet, Green C h a i r m a n
P i e r c e of t h e D u x b u r y Club, and Linde
F o w l e r of t h e Boston T r a n s c r i p t .
T h e g e n e r a l t h e m e of t h e p r o g r a m
w a s t h e f u r t h e r use of t h e golf club to
m a k e it an all-year r o u n d club, with
varied
activities.
President
Mason
stressed t h e " c o m m u n i t y c l u b " i d e a and
President Rogers the "family club",—
" t h e club will not be s u c c e s s f u l unless
built a r o u n d t h e f a m i l y a t m o s p h e r e " .
F r a n c i s O u i m e t gave a v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g
talk on t h e caddie situation, in connect i o n with
caddie b o o k l e t s
recently
issued by t h e M. G. A.
T h e t a l k of our own J i m M c C o r m a c k
follows:
"The officers and m e m b e r s
Greenkeepers Club
of
New

of
the
England

consider i t an h o n o r a n d a privilege to
a g a i n join with t h e Service Section of
t h e M a s s a c h u s e t t s Golf Association in a
m e e t i n g of this kind. W e believe t h a t
t h e s e m e e t i n g s a r e responsible, p a r t l y
a t least, f o r t h e fine co-operation which
G r e e n k e e p e r s a r e r e c e i v i n g f r o m their
G r e e n s C o m m i t t e e C h a i r m e n and o t h e r
Club Officials, as well as a b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of course m a i n t e n a n c e a m o n g
g o l f e r s of our district.

greenkeeper

of

today

has m a d e a s t u d y of
construction
p h a s e s of golf course w o r k a n d can
t a k e care of a n y a l t e r a t i o n of t h e course
in a m a n n e r t h a t satisfies t h e g o l f e r
and a t t h e same t i m e simplifies maint e n a n c e problems. H e m u s t be a g o l f e r
so t h a t he m a y u n d e r s t a n d w h a t m a k e s
a hole f a i r f o r t h e a v e r a g e g o l f e r or
for the expert. He must understand
soils, d r a i n a g e a n d i r r i g a t i o n , so as t o
p r o d u c e t h e m o s t s a t i s f a c t o r y t u r f on
tees, f a i r w a y s , and greens.
Several
y e a r s ago p r a c t i c a l l y all p u r c h a s e s f o r
t h e golf course w e r e m a d e t h r o u g h some
one o t h e r t h a n t h e g r e e n k e e p e r .
Today, t h e c h a i r m a n of t h e Greens Comm i t t e e expects his g r e e n k e e p e r to be
qualified to m a k e p u r c h a s e s of a n y supplies to be used on t h e golf course.
Ten years ago w e had putting

greens

of mixed g r a s s e s c u t a t a h e i g h t of
a b o u t % of an inch with a w h e e l - t y p e
lawn m o w e r . T o d a y , we have t h r o u g h
t h e d e m a n d of t h e g o l f e r , g r e e n s of
one s t r a i n of g r a s s c u t *4 inch in h e i g h t
a n d some t i m e s less with an eight-bladed
roller t y p e high-speed m o w e r .
This
gives us g r e e n s of an even t e x t u r e a n d
color with a good b o d y of g r a s s which
m a k e s an ideal p u t t i n g s u r f a c e .
Tees are now a much more important
part of the golf c o u r s e t h a n f o r m e r l y

a n d t h e y receive considerable m o r e a t t e n t i o n t h a n w a s t h e case a f e w y e a r s
ago. T h e g o l f e r expects a level tee unm a r r e d by divot holes a n d giving a firm
s t a n c e so t h a t he m a y have an opport u n i t y of g e t t i n g t h e b e s t r e s u l t s f r o m
his t e e shot. Tees have b e e n increased
in a r e a s so t h a t this condition m a y be
maintained.
Fairways

have

been

changed

from

During the past
few
years
many
changes have been made in t h e m e t h o d s

o r d i n a r y p a s t u r e s to a r e a s of fine t u r f
which gives a good lie w h e r e v e r t h e ball
m a y come to r e s t . F a i r w a y w a t e r i n g is
now considered almost a necessity, so
g r e a t has b e e n t h e d e m a n d f o r b e t t e r
conditions.

of g r e e n k e e p i n g in an e f f o r t
fine golf t u r f .
Various
c a m p a i g n s h a v e enabled t h e
er t o keep a b r e a s t of t h e

brought a b o u t t h r o u g h t h e co-operation
of v a r i o u s agencies. T h e G r e e n Section

to produce
educational
Greenkeeptimes, b y

These

improvements

have

been

MA - CHES - OK
Leaf

Mold

and

Leaf

Mold

Blackhawk
GOLF

Peat

F o r use on
Putting Greens, Lawns, Flower
Gardens and Potted Plants

Samples submitted to various Exp e r i m e n t S t a t i o n s w e r e f o u n d to contain :
"91.73%
organic
matter
and
w a t e r h o l d i n g c a p a c i t y of 2 4 2 . 1 % . "
"94.6%

organic

"1.03%

Nitrogen."

Blaclchawk
Fairway

May

be

Concord,

% ton—$15
lb.—$1.75
Plan

Chief w i t h

900-15

Dump

PRO

$768.00

Body

P a r k C h i e f — 7 5 " W r e e i Base

900-15 A i r

$800.00

Wheels

93% of t h e B l a c k h a w k T r a c t o r c o n s i s t s of t h e n e w F o r d V8 c h a s s i s a n d '
engine. W e g u a r a n t e e the e n g i n e a n d
Your

through

guaranteed

Local

Ford

O. B o x

years.

Distributors:

POWER

15
P.

f o r three

The
Speedy,
Powerful,
spring
m o u n t e d B l a c k h a w k will s a v e y o u
money. W r i t e for details.

LAWN

SERVICE

F .
Mass.

Body

T h e r e d u c t i o n u n i t is t h e s t r o n g e s t
u s e d in a n y golf t r a c t o r a n d
is

purchased on Budget
if desired.

M .

$755.00

Dump

Airwheels and

Prices:

100

Prices

Master

with

chassis
Dealer.

matter."

" M a t e r i a l is c a r e f u l l y sieved a n d is
f r e e f r o m objectionable roots and
d e a d b r a n c h e s a n d no t o x i c i t y . "
Per ton—$25
14 ton-—$8

TRACTORS

F. O. B. Boston

Tenney

174

MOWER

COMPANY

Court,

Somerville,

Somerset

Mass.

0S04-W

GET-TOGETHER
New England

T h e second a n n u a l d i n n e r
of
the
N e w E n g l a n d S e c t i o n of t h e P. G. A.
w a s held a t t h e H o t e l S o m e r s e t , Bost o n , on A p r i l 15th. M a n u f a c t u r e r s h a d
fine displays of t h e s e a s o n ' s m e r c h a n dise. S p e a k e r s f o l l o w i n g t h e d i n n e r inc l u d e d P r e s . Louis M y e r s of t h e N. E .
Section, P r e s . M a s o n of t h e M. G. A.,
A r t h u r S a m p s o n of t h e B o s t o n H e r a l d ,
T r e a s . Maekie of t h e P. G. A., T r e a s .
H u r l e y of M a s s a c h u s e t t s r e p r e s e n t i n g
G o v e r n o r C u r l e y , P r e s . W e s t of t h e
G r e e n k e e p e r s Club of N e w E n g l a n d , a n d
P r e s . J a c o b u s of t h e P. G. A., w h o conf e r e d a l i f e m e m b e r s h i p in t h e N e w
E n g l a n d Section upon the toastmaster
of t h e e v e n i n g , Philip A. H e n d r i c k .

R e p o r t s f r o m P r o f . L, S. D i c k i n s o n
upon the registration figures at
the
R e c r e a t i o n C o n f e r e n c e last m o n t h show
t h a t the total registration was
909,
a b o u t a fifth of t h e e s t i m a t e d a t t e n d a n c e . Golf led t h e v a r i o u s s e c t i o n s w i t h
Community
Recreation
second
and
Sportsmen third.
Greenkeepers were
s e c o n d to t e a c h e r s in o c c u p a t i o n s r e ported.

Distributors

for

FLORIDA
What

HUMUS

is F l o r i d a

Humus?

H u m u s in its purest, richest f o r m —
w i t h a high content of organic nitrogen
which makes it a plant food in itself. It
is decayed v e g e t a t i v e mold f r o m underw a t e r deposits w h e r e , for centuries, the
life-giving
organic
matter
has
been
sealed in and all weed seeds, w a s t e and
foreign m a t t e r sealed out. A i r - d r i e d and
conveniently packaged, it is light, f l u f f y ,
clean,
odorless—and
more
highly
absorbent t h a n any other humus k n o w n .
Ready

to

use as

received.

Carloads w e r e used on N e w E n g l a n d
golf courses during the 1933 and 1934
seasons.
T h e results have been most
satisfactory.
Shipped either in 200 lb. or 100 lb.
crates.
Delivered prices quoted on request.
A special booklet on the use of Florida
H u m u s for golf courses w i l l be mailed
on request.

85

STATE

STREET,

BOSTON

of t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s Golf Association
h a s f u r n i s h e d a t r e m e n d o u s a m o u n t of
i n f o r m a t i o n t h r o u g h r e s e a r c h work a t
its A r l i n g t o n G a r d e n s . The Massachus e t t s Golf Association t h r o u g h its Service Section C o m m i t t e e has r e n d e r e d
t h e Clubs and G r e e n k e e p e r s in this
d i s t r i c t a g r e a t deal of service b y its
active i n t e r e s t in m a i n t e n a n c e p r o b l e m s
a n d its e x p e r i m e n t a l w o r k established
h e r e a t Charles River has b e e n t h e
source of m u c h i n f o r m a t i o n on local
problems.
The Greenkeepers C l u b of N e w

Eng-

land t h r o u g h its e d u c a t i o n a l m e e t i n g s
held m o n t h l y f o r t h e p a s t eleven y e a r s
h a s done a g r e a t deal to r a i s e t h e
s t a n d a r d of g r e e n k e e p i n g . I t s w i n t e r
m e e t i n g s have given its m e m b e r s an
opportunity
to
hear
the
foremost
a u t h o r i t i e s on t h e d i f f e r e n t phases of
p r o d u c i n g fine t u r f . Its s u m m e r m e e t ings have b e e n held on d i f f e r e n t golf
courses t h r o u g h o u t New E n g l a n d givi n g an o p p o r t u n i t y to observe condit i o n s on t h e s e courses, inspect equipm e n t , and discuss seasonal problems.
Seedmen

and

manufacturers

of

golf

course equipment h a v e k e p t p a c e b y
p r o v i d i n g cleaner seed of b e t t e r q u a l i t y
a n d i m p r o v e d m a c h i n e r y which does
finer w o r k a t a saving of labor costs.
N o t all of t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s

made

by 'scientists and r e s e a r c h w o r k e r s have
b e e n f o u n d s a t i s f a c t o r y w h e n tried
u n d e r a c t u a l p l a y i n g conditions a n d
m a n y of t h e m have b e e n l a t e r c o n t r a dicted. It is t h e r e f o r e , i m p o r t a n t t h a t
a n y n e w t h e o r y offered should be caref u l l y t e s t e d b e f o r e b e i n g p u t into gene r a l use.
W e have not progressed beyond the
p o i n t in g o l f c o u r s e m a i n t e n a n c e w h e r e

f u r t h e r a d v a n c e m e n t is n o t n e c e s s a r y ,
b u t w i t h t h e c o n t i n u e d co-operation of
t h e s e agencies, g o l f e r s m a y be a s s u r e d
of p r o g r e s s f o r b e t t e r p l a y i n g conditions.

A n article in t h e Cleveland P r e s s of
M a r c h 22nd points out t h a t w a t e r e d
f a i r w a y s a r e r e a l f a c t o r s t o d a y in keeping Cleveland's golf courses f r o m bec o m i n g s t r a n g l e d in t h e r e d ink. W h e r e
t h e r e was only one course with w a t e r e d
f a i r w a y s t h r e e y e a r s ago, t h e r e a r e
n o w eleven. These t e n courses have
s p e n t n e a r l y $150,000 in hope of getting new members.

SPEED

IN

GOLF

COURSE

MAINTENANCE

by Ronald Sturtevant
(presented at Recreation Conference)
We a r e now living in w h a t is t e r m e d
by some, an e r a of speed.
Golf being an u p and coming s p o r t
m u s t embrace its s h a r e of this speed,
to be in style.
A c o m p a r a t i v e l y f e w y e a r s ago, speed
w a s a n u n k n o w n f a c t o r in t h e golf
world. I t first edged into golf in r e l a t i o n
to p u t t i n g s u r f a c e s . The greens w e r e n ' t
f a s t enough, so t h e mower m a n u f a c t u r e r s obligingly replaced t h e old,
side wheel, low f r e q u e n c y mower w i t h
t h e roller type, high f r e q u e n c y mowers
t h a t a r e now in use. The r e s u l t i n g p u t t ing s u r f a c e w i t h its so called speed is
one of t h e g r e a t e s t steps f o r w a r d t h a t
folf m a i n t e n a n c e h a s ever made.
B u t we a r e now in a n e r a in which
t h e b a t t l e cry is speed and m o r e speed
(but a speed t h a t is entirely d i f f e r e n t
f r o m t h a t mentioned b e f o r e ) . This
speed is supposed to c r e a t e g r e a t savings to golf clubs. T h e r e is no d o u b t
b u t w h a t in some cases, m o w i n g can be
speeded u p a l i t t l e — b u t only a little.
T h e r e is a tendency t o d a y t o w a r d excessive speeds. My first example is t h e
m o d e r n f a i r w a y mowers and t h e i r m a i n
selling points.
We a r e told t h a t 10 to 12 miles p e r
h o u r is a good m o w i n g speed. The mowers will s t a n d it—so we a r e told. F a i r way
mower
construction
has
not
changed basicly since t h e
Pilgrims
landed. J u s t p u t on a device to hold t h e
mowers a g a i n s t t h e g r o u n d and "step on
t h e g a s " . They will s t a n d it—so w e a r e
told.
One p o p u l a r f a i r w a y
unit
when
t r a v e l i n g a t t n e r a t e of 10 m. p. h.
t u r n s , a t t h e wheel, 1630 r . p. m. Another 3007, a n o t h e r 3312. B u t w h y
w o r r y — a r e n ' t we told t h a t t h e y will
s t a n d it? Maybe. L e t us leave t h a t to
t h e mower men.
T h e r e is no need to
go by w h a t we a r e told.
You a r e all t u r f men and u n d e r s t a n d
t u r f , so let us consider this mile a minu t e mowing f r o m t h e s t a n d p o i n t of t u r f .
This t u r f is m a d e u p of individual
g r a s s p l a n t s . You have all examined
g r a s s plants. T h e y h a v e no a r m o r
p l a t e or other e l a b o r a t e
protection,
h a v e t h e y ? N o ! T h e y ae c o m p a r a t i v e l y
small delicate bits of life
struggling

* ^

^gs

SOIL - CO
Tke perfect soil conditioner
F I N E N E S S of p a r t i c l e s is o n e o f
many features which make SOIL-CO
a valuable
soil c o n d i t i o n e r .
This
f e a t u r e a l o n e will j u s t i f y its u s e to
improve the water retentive capacity
of s a n d y soils.
T h e v a l u e of S O I L - C O has b e e n
proven beyond question by
many
laboratory
tests
and by
practical
application.
S e n d us s a m p l e s of y o u r soil f o r
analysis and recommendation on the
u s e of S O I L - C O for i m p r o v i n g the
c o n d i t i o n a n d h e n c e p r o d u c t i v i t y of
your turf.

BRAGUE,

INC.

are o n l y v a l u a b l e in e x a c t proportion
to t h e r e s u l t s o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e i r u s e .

Ask your seedsman to help you.
It is his business to sell good seeds
suitable f o r the purposes f o r which
they are purchased.
Woodco

Lawn

feeds

Woodco
produce
Grass

Brand

NEW ENGLAND G R O W N

Seeds

healthy
Seed

plants.

Division

F. i . Woodruff & Sons
Milford,

Hinsdale, Mass.

Food

grasses.

Conn.

Hovey & Company
150 Milk S t . — B o s t o n ,

Winter-hardy,

Han.

Acclimated

Are

BENT

SEED

equipped

supply

all

needs

for

keep

for

Mass.

1454

of

to

of

the

the

up-

your

golf

course.

New England Golf Courses

Just telephone

us

at H a n c o c k 1 4 5 4 or
Direct from the farms

of

1455
and

or
we

prompt

A. N. PECKHAM
KINGSTON,

R.

I.

write
will

us,
give

service

to

your orders and

in-

quiries.
WRITE

FOR
PRICE

OUR

LATEST

LIST.

f o r a n existence
t i o n s . imposed

under

upon

them

adverse

condi-

by you.

N o w — k e e p i n g these g r a s s p l a n t s in
mind, consider a t r a c t o r and 5 to 7
mowers g a l l o p i n g ( t h a t ' s w h a t mowers
do a t high speeds) u p and down y o u r
f a i r w a y s . Don't you pity t h e innocent
g r a s s p l a n t ? W h y is all of this speed
necessary? W e used to mow w i t h horses
a n d the g r a s s didn't g e t ahead of us.
G r a s s is a child of n a t u r e and h a s n ' t
h e a r d of this g r e a t t h i n g S P E E D .
It
j u s t grows normally, t a k i n g its t i m e
like all works of n a t u r e .
We have a more acute s i t u a t i o n in our
p u t t i n g greens. L e t us consider t h e m .
T h e y a r e in good physical and mechanical condition due to t h e good c u l t u r a l
practices in which intelligent mowing
has t a k e n a l a r g e p a r t .
B u t a g a i n we h e a r t h e b a t t l e c r y —
S P E E D . W h y t a k e 20 to 30 m i n u t e s to
mow
a
green
that
the
"CHAIN
L I G H T N I N G " mower will do in 5 o r
6 m i n u t e s a t t h e most. Sad b u t
true.
T h e outfit will cover a g r e e n in t h a t
t i m e — b u t does it mow it? If by mowing
you m e a n remove t h e excess
grass,
t h e n it does. But, if by mowing, you
m e a n c u t t i n g t h e g r a s s and leaving t h e
g r e e n in as good condition as you f o u n d
it, t h e n t h e a n s w e r is N O ! Not w h e n
excessive speeds a r e entailed.
W h y is all of this speed necessary?
Saved labor h o u r s is t h e only a n s w e r I
h a v e ever h e a r d to t h a t . W h a t a r e we
to do w i t h all these saved h o u r s ? Oh,
l a y off a m a n . No, we a r e going' to p u t
t h e m back into our greens overcoming
t h e c u l t u r a l losses sustained by our
g r e e n s t h r o u g h t h e "mile a m i n u t e
m o w i n g " . Oh! t h e r e a r e n ' t a n y c u l t u r a l
losses, so w e a r e told. T h e mowers a r e
b u i l t to s t a n d it.
J u s t p i c t u r e a power mower going a t
t h e recommended "mile a m i n u t e " pace
over y o u r greens 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, times a
week. B u t w h y w o r r y — t h e m a n who
built the mowers says it is all r i g h t . T h e
e r r o r of t h i s t y p e of m o w i n g can be
easily and quickly i m p r e g n a t e d in your 1
mind.
J u s t t r y a simple e x p e r i m e n t — n o w
don't use t h e g r a s s as t h e goat this
time. T h a t is done too o f t e n now. You
a r e t h e one who is c o m m i t t i n g t h e e r r o r ,
so pick on yourself. Go to t h e b a r b e r and
tell him to give you a h a i r c u t and c u t
his m o w i n g t i m e to % or 1 / 5 of his
r e g u l a r time. You w o n ' t sit in t h e c h a i r
long. You'll go home a n d t u r n a deaf
e a r to mile a m i n u t e mowing. You'll become a champion of t h e cause of t h e
grass plant.

Somebody will s a y — O h ! t h e t i m e
saved will offset t h e c u l t u r a l losses and
setbacks suffered by t h e g r a s s
plants.
B u t even if it did (which it doesn't) a r e
we m a i n t a i n i n g a golf course to save
time? I can t h i n k of easier and b e t t e r
w a y s of s a v i n g t i m e t h a n m a i n t a i n i n g a
golf course. W e m a i n t a i n golf courses
to supply a f o u n d a t i o n and a backg r o u n d f o r r e c r e a t i o n and
relaxation.
I n order to do this p r o p e r l y we m u s t
avoid setbacks of t h e g r a s s .
Now—if it is n e c e s s a r y to save t i m e in
your m a i n t e n a n c e p r o g r a m due to decreased budgets, etc., why not do it with
a t least a m o d e r a t e degree of intelligence?
F i r s t — f o r g e t t h i s cry of
speed.
Then—if it is possible or practical, to
save time, w h y not s t a r t w i t h y o u r s e l f ?
A r e you on t h e job? If so w h e r e a r e
your w a s t e d motions and u n p r o d u c t i v e
time? You a r e t h e h i g h e s t paid m a n on
t h e golf course and t h e savings a r e proportionally g r e a t e r w h e r e you a r e involved. Do your p r e s e n t methods t e n d
t o w a r d a m a x i m u m of efficiency, or a r e
t h e y obsolete and u n p r a c t i c a l in a small
w a y ? C a n ' t you, instead of m o w i n g 4
or 5 times as f a s t j u s t step u p y o u r
mowing a little and do a w a y w i t h one
or more mowings a week? T h e r e you
have a definite s a v i n g w i t h no possible
setbacks to t h e g r a s s . I n f a c t in some
cases a f e w less mowings p e r season
would benefit t h e greens.
I t h i n k you will find quite a f e w
s c a t t e r e d labor h o u r s t h a t can be
c a p t u r e d and p u t to work as a definite
saving. If you will j u s t a n a l y z e yourself
and your job, you will c r e a t e an honest
s a v i n g w i t h no d i s c o m f o r t to y o u r s e l f ,
t h e p l a y e r s , t h e men or t h e g r a s s p l a n t s .
This p a p e r does n o t in a n y w a y t r y
to discredit modern m o w i n g equipment.
I t merely t r i e s to b r i n g out t h a t excessive speeds w h e n applied to mowing
c r e a t e a f a l s e asset. The limits of tolerance of y o u r p r o d u c t (the golf course)
c a n n o t embrace t h i s fellow SPEED.
B u y y o u r m o d e r n equipment. You can
c r e a t e savings w i t h it by u s i n g intelligence and not speed. W h e n you b u y a
new c a r you don't t r y to go a h u n d r e d
miles per h o u r because t h e speedometer
r e g i s t e r s it, do you?
Build a f e n c e a r o u n d y o u r golf course
and lock out this fellow S P E E D . Or, if
y o u r b u d g e t w o n ' t allow a fence, j u s t
erect a cage and keep h i m corralled f o r
use in g r a s s fires, etc. And depend u p o n
good, sound, s t e a d y practices, a l w a y s
remembering the forgotten man
THE GRASS PLANT.

| .
:

•

S^M
•;•

- '
IDEAL

•

POWER

.

v

..

.

.

' ,.

GREENSMOWER

GUARANTEED TO EQUAL OR SURPASS
THE FINEST HAND GUTTING

.

.

.

.

T h i s m o w e r is b u i l t t o g r e e n k e e p e r s ' s p e c i f i c a t i o n s . It h a s o v e r c o m e e v e r y o b j e c t i o n that g r e e n k e e p e r s have had to using p o w e r
o n t h e g r e e n . It n o t o n l y s a v e s l a b o r , b u t it a l s o g i v e s y o u a j o b o f
c u t t i n g t h a t will e q u a l or s u r p a s s a n y l a w n m o w e r m a n u f a c t u r e d ,
w h e t h e r it b e h a n d or p o w e r .
Y o u w i l l i m m e d i a t e l y n o t i c e t h e v a s t i m p r o v e m e n t in t h e p u t t i n g
s u r f a c e of y o u r greews, and y o u r m e m b e r s will v e r y quickly pass
their favorable comments.
W i t h all i t s a d v a n t a g e s a n d c o n v e n i e n c e s , t h i s m o w e r is w i t h i n
t h e e c o n o m i c a l b u d j e t o f a n y g o l f c l u b , a s it o n l y c o s t s $ 2 2 0 . 0 0
c o m p l e t e for the 2 1 " size. This price includes a rubber tired cart
for transporting the m o w e r from green to green.
W h y n o t w r i t e or call t o d a y f o r a

demonstration?

IDEAL MOWER SALES and SERVICE
111 Cypress Street, Brookline, Mass.

Telephone Beacon

2898

SPRING CARE OF ESTABLISHED
LAWNS

H o w a r d B. S p r a g u e , A g r o n o m i s t
N. J. A g r i . Ex. Sta.
E a r l y s p r i n g t r e a t m e n t of lawns is
essential f o r developing h e a l t h y vigorous t u r f . T h e established lawn should
receive an application of f e r t i l i z e r a t
t h e first signs of g r o w t h in spring, to
i n c r e a s e t h e vigor of t h e sod b e f o r e
c o m p e t i t i o n w i t h s u m m e r w e e d s becomes a critical f a c t o r .
A complete
commercial
fertilizer, analyzing
app r o x i m a t e l y 5 p e r cent n i t r o g e n , 10 p e r
c e n t phosphoric acid, and 5 p e r c e n t
p o t a s h , s p r e a d at t h e r a t e of 10 to 20
p o u n d s p e r 1,000 s q u a r e f e e t of s u r f a c e ,
will be a d e q u a t e on t h e m a j o r i t y of
lawns. On t u r f t h a t has b e e n liberally
f e r t i l i z e d in r e c e n t years, t h e use of
5 to 10 p o u n d s of an 8-6-5 f e r t l i z e r ,
or its e q u i v a l e n t , f o r each 1,000 s q u a r e
f e e t , is p r e f e r a b l e . F e r t i l i z e r m a t e r i a l s
should be u n i f o r m l y d i s t r i b u t e d over
t h e s u r f a c e , a t a t i m e w h e n t h e grass
blades a r e dry, to avoid possible b u r n ing.
If lime has n o t b e e n applied r e c e n t ly, t h e lawn soil m a y be too acid f o r
s u c c e s s f u l t u r f p r o d u c t i o n . In g e n e r a l ,
s t r o n g l y acid soils p r e v e n t t h e h e a l t h y
g r o w t h of lawn grasses, p a r t i c u l a r l y
K e n t u c k y b l u e g r a s s . The q u a n t i t y of
lime r e q u i r e d will depend on t h e prese n t acidity of t h e soil. An application
of 50 to 75 p o u n d s of h y d r a t e d lime,
p e r 1,000 s q u a r e f e e t , or one and onehalf t i m e s as m u c h finely g r o u n d limestone, r e p e a t e d e v e r y t h r e e y e a r s , will
p r e v e n t t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of excessive
acidity. F o r soils t h a t a r e n a t u r a l l y
s t r o n g l y acid, l a r g e r a m o u n t s will be
necessary.
T h e judicious use of lime a n d f e r t i lizer m a y n o t be sufficient to r e s t o r e
c e r t a i n p o r t i o n s of t h e lawn to f u l l
vigor. On v e r y t h i n or b a r e spots, t h e
soil should be spaded, a n d lime a n d
f e r t i l i z e r applied a t s u b s t a n t i a l l y heavier r a t e s t h a n f o r t h e r e s t of t h e lawn
s u r f a c e . W h e r e t h e soil is low in org a n i c m a t t e r , 1 to 2 p o u n d s of well
r o t t e d m a n u r e , cultivated p e a t , or a
suitable s u b s t i t u t e , m i g h t well be a d d e d
f o r each s q u a r e f o o t of s u r f a c e . F o r
convenience, lime, f e r t i l i z e r a n d org a n i c m a t t e r m a y be
incorporated
s i m u l t a n e o u s l y to a d e p t h of a p p r o x i m a t e l y 4 inches. T h e a r e a should t h e n

be smoothed, and p l a n t e d with a lawn
seed m i x t u r e composed of suitable t u r f
grasses.
E a r l y p l a n t i n g is highly essential f o r
achieving success on r e s e e d e d lawns.
W h e r e v e r p r a c t i c a b l e , periodic w a t e r i n g
of t h e n e w s e e d i n g with a fine mist-like
spray, should be r e s o r t e d to in d r y
w e a t h e r , to p r e v e n t possible d r o u g h t inj u r y . A f t e r e t a b l i s h m e n t of t h e y o u n g
seedlings, m o w i n g becomes of
considerable significance. T h e a d o p t i o n of
a c o m p a r a t i v e l y long height of c u t will
avoid serious i n j u r y and p e r m i t vigorous g r o w t h of t h e y o u n g t u r f .

MAKING TEMPORARY

LAWNS

H o w a r d B. S p r a g u e , A g r o n o m i s t
N. J. Agri. Ex. Sta.
A l u x u r i a n t t e m p o r a r y g r e e n lawn
m a y be p r o d u c e d within t h r e e weeks'
t i m e u n d e r a g r e a t v a r i e t y of soil conditions. W i t h p r o p e r care this t u r f will
persist throughout the summer, until a
p e r m a n e n t lawn m a y be established.
Spade t h e a r e a to be seeded or loosen
and pulverize t h e s u r f a c e two inches
of soil with a hoe in p r e p a r i n g t h e seed
bed.
A p p l y a complete
commercial
f e r t i l i z e r c a r r y i n g a t least f o u r p e r c e n t
of r e a d i l y available n i t r o g e n , a t t h e
r a t e of 10 p o u n d s p e r 1,000 s q u a r e
f e e t of s u r f a c e . T h e f e r t i l i z e r m u s t be
uniformly distributed and thoroughly
i n c o r p o r a t e d with t h e u p p e r l a y e r of
soil b e f o r e p l a n t i n g . G r a d e t h e a r e a
b y r a k i n g . Seed p e r e n n i a l r y e g r a s s or
domestic r y e g r a s s a t t h e r a t e of five
to eight p o u n d s p e r 1,000 s q u a r e f e e t ,
and cover by r a k i n g lightly. Keep t h e
soil s u r f a c e m o d e r a t e l y moist until t h e
grass is well established, a n d mow a t a
h e i g h t of two inches d u r i n g the first
m o n t h of g r o w t h .
T h e lawn o b t a i n e d b y this m e t h o d is
a t e m p o r a r y one b u t it m a k e s an excellent s u b s t i t u t e f o r a p e r m a n e n t t u r f
during the summer. Late spring and
early s u m m e r m o n t h s a r e u n f a v o r a b l e
seasons f o r n e w seedings of p e r m a n e n t
lawn g r a s s e s due to i n j u r y b y h e a t ,
d r o u g h t , and competition of weeds.
T h e t e m p o r a r y g r a s s e s n o w seeded m a y
be s p a d e d or plowed u n d e r in A u g u s t
or e a r l y S e p t e m b e r a n d a p e r m a n e n t
lawn established. A t t h a t t i m e t h e addition of o r g a n i c m a t t e r , lime, f e r t i l i z e r
a n d o t h e r m a t e r i a l s f o r soil improve-

THE

B U E L

It P e r f o r a t e s

-—

P E R F O R A T O R
It A e r a t e s

—

It

Cultivates

FOR

TRY

BETTER

THE

GREENS

"B U E L"

SAVES:—
We

can

LABOR—WATER—FERTILIZER

furnish P o w e r A t t a c h m e n t s to suit your present P o w e r
P n e u m a t i c or Steel W h e e l s optional e q u i p m e n t

J „

F„

Woburn

ALL,
does
turf.

General Chemical
Company
Commercial

5 8 W e y b o s s e t St.

St.

I,
Massachusetts

m a k e s a f e r t i l i z e r w h i c h is
p l a n t f o o d . T h a t ' s w h y it
such a swell job for golf
F i n d o u t a b o u t it.

543

If U K

Boston
Providence

Unit

m e n t will aid in developing a thick sod
of p e r m a n e n t grasses. Seed of desirable
g r a s s e s is uselessly w a s t e d w h e n sown
a t a season of t h e y e a r o f f e r i n g little
chance of success.

Mike O ' G r a d y r e p o r t s t h a t considerable w o r k is being done a t New Bedf o r d , c h a n g i n g t h e f o u r t h hole. T h e t e e
h a s been r a i s e d f o u r and a half f e e t .
T h e g r e e n has b e e n r e b u i l t , raised
t h r e e a n d a half f e e t in t h e f r o n t , with
a f o r t y f e e t e n t r a n c e b e t w e e n two t r a p s
which h a v e been e n l a r g e d . T h e r e is to
be a g r a s s hollow t h r e e - q u a r t e r s a r o u n d
t h e r e a r of t h e g r e e n . Mike also tells
us of t h e a r r i v a l on M a r c h 10th of
Patrica Ann.

R.

J. G R E E N K E E P E R S

FIELD

DAY

The
Sixth
Annual
Greenkeepers'
Field Day a t t h e R h o d e Island S t a t e
College, Kingston, R. I., is scheduled
f o r May 27th. These field days have
always b e e n exceptionally s u c c e s s f u l because t h e g r e e n k e e p e r s a r e so ent h u s i a s t i c in t h e i r s u p p o r t .
It is hoped t h a t g r e e n k e e p e r s will invite their g r e e n s c o m m i t t e e c h a i r m a n or
o t h e r clubs officers to this m e e t i n g .
C o m m i t t e e m e n should a p p r e c i a t e m o r e
f u l l y t h e r a p i d c h a n g e s with which t h e
g r e e n k e e p e r s m u s t cope. T h e y should
also e n c o u r a g e t h e i r g r e e n k e e p e r to
participate
in
greenkeeper's
clubs,
courses of s t u d y and
demonstrative
m e e t i n g s a t least by p a y m e n t f o r their
t i m e d u r i n g a t t e n d a n c e . All those who
a r e i n t e r e s t e d in a n y phase of t u r f
c u l t u r e a r e cordially invited to this
field day.
A special i n v i t a t i o n is e x t e n d e d to
s e e d s m e n , f e r t i l i z e r m e n , a n d equipm e n t m e n to come p r e p a r e d to exhibit
and d e m o n s t r a t e d u r i n g t h e day. Much
of t h e p o p u l a r i t y of t h e m e e t i n g has
r e s u l t e d f r o m this f e a t u r e .
T h e p r o g r a m will be essentially as
follows:
10.30-11.00 R e g i s t r a t i o n
( T a f t Labo r a t o r y — E x p e r i m e n t Station).
11.00-12.30 I n s p e c t i o n of experim e n t s , 1 mile west.
12.30L u n c h — C o l l e g e dining
hall.
1.15- 2.30 S p e a k i n g p r o g r a m .

2.30- 3.00

A n n u a l business m e e t i n g
of t h e Rhode Island Greenk e e p e r s Club.
3.00- 5.00 E x h i b i t s a n d d e m o n s t r a tion.
This is an o p p o r t u n i t y f o r an i n f o r m a l
g e t - t o g e t h e r f o r t h e e x c h a n g e of ideas
and a good time.
H. P. A. N O R T H ,
Asst. Res. P r o f . A g r o n .
FROM OUR

NOTEBOOK

The soil is n o t only inorganic m i n e r a l
m a t t e r a n d organic m a t t e r , b u t is t e e m ing with life, microscopic plants, microorganisms. T h e r e a r e m o r e b a c t e r i a in
t h e t o p soil t h a n in sub-soil; t h e m o r e
f e r t i l e t h e soil, t h e m o r e b a c t e r i a .
B a c t e r i a decay organic m a t t e r ; in so
doing t h e y c a r r y on an i m p o r t a n t f u n c tion in t h a t t h e y release c a r b o n dioxide
back into t h e a t m o s p h e r e to be used
again by p l a n t s . C o n d i t i o n s t h a t a r e
best f o r t h e s e micro-organisms, t e m p e r a t u r e 40-100, b e s t a t 83 d e g r e e s ; moist u r e , 2 0 - 4 0 % ; air, 3 5 % oxygen, (best
we can offer is a r o u n d 20 % ; f o o d ,
organic matter.
P r o f . J. F. H a d d o c k .
Get m e m b e r s t u r f p r o b l e m conscious.
T h e n t h e p r o b l e m is t h a t of i n t r o d u c i n g
p l a n t principles to local conditions.
One of our h e a d a c h e s is o f t e n t h e a f t e r m a t h of c o n s t r u c t i o n , o f t e n too h a s t y .
T e x t u r e a n d d r a i n a g e a r e poor on m a n y
greens.
Poor maintainence practices
also cause t r o u b l e s . Tests can be m a d e
of soils; r e s u l t s f o u n d m u s t be i n t e r p r e t e d . Supply t h e dificiencies, t h e n
supply n e e d e d n i t r o g e n . T u r f is c u t too
closely n o w on f a i r w a y s a n d g r e e n s .
A f t e r g r a s s is established, limestone is
only f o r m of lime to use. N e v e r use
more t h a n 50 p o u n d s p e r t h o u s a n d
s q u a r e f e e t a t one application. If m e r c u r y is to be used f o r a f u n g u s , use t h e
c a r r i e r t h a t costs least p e r u n i t . Applic a t i o n s of a r s e n a t e of lead a r e "not perm a n e n t . Do n o t use p u r e h u m u s or
p e a t s as t o p d r e s s i n g ; this will cause
layers. The field m e t h o d of p r e p a r i n g
t o p - d r e s s i n g is g o o d ; as m a n y as t h r e e
g r e e n m a n u r e crops can be g r o w n in
one season. A t u r f n u r s e r y is desirable; have in t h e n u r s e r y t h e g r a s s which
is in t h e g r e e n s or w h a t is desired in
t h e f u t u r e . A t u b u l a r f o r k h a s a good
deal of m e r i t f o r helping c o m p a c t a r e a s ;
f o r p e r m a n e n t relief strip and r e b u i l d
with r i g h t soil.
E. E.

Evaul.

IT

IS

REAL

ECONOMY!

T o u s e o n l y t h e b e s t , r e g a r d l e s s o f w h a t it is y o u a r e d o i n g ;
t h a t is w h y s o m a n y g r e e n s k e e p e r i s a r e t o d a y u s i n g S p e c i a l
Golf Fertilizer.
M a d e b y S w i f t , m a n u f a c t u r e r s of f e r t i l i z e r s f o r f i f t y y e a r s ,
a n d f o r m u l a t e d t o m e e t t h e n e e d s of g o l f c o u r s e t u r f .
It s u p p l i e s all o f t h e e l e m e n t s n e e d e d , in t h e r i g h t p r o p o r tions to insure a h e a l t h y turf that wins the players' praise; that's
w h y it is e c o n o m y t o u s e .

Swifts
Special Golf
Fertilizer 12-6-4
SWIFT A N D
FERTILIZER
25 Faneuil Hall

SWIFT'S
SPECIALGOLF
FERTILIZER

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
NITROGEN
12.00%
PHOS. ACID AVAILABLE
6.00%
POTASH (K,0) WATER SOL 4.00%
MANUFACTURED BY

COMPANY

SWIFT&C0MPANY

WORKS
Boston,

A

Mass.

FRED W. GOLDTHWAIT
M . I. T . 1 9 0 5 M e c h ' l

Engng.

Golf Course Irrigation
2 0 Y e a r s E x p e r i e n c e in P u m p i n g P r o b l e m s in N e w
1 5 , 0 0 0 Installations of All

Specializing

England.

Types.

In

1. D o c t o r i n g o f " s i c k " i r r i g a t i o n s y s t e m s b y i n c r e a s e of c a p a c i t y
or pressure.
2. I n v e s t i g a t i o n of u n d e r g r o u n d w a t e r a n d s t u d y of s a v i n g i n
w a t e r cost t h r o u g h g r o u n d water.
3. A p p l i c a t i o n o f w a t e r w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o p a r t i c u l a r s o i l a n d
turf requirements.
4. C o m p a r a t i v e c o s t s — e l e c t r i c vs. g a s o l i n e p u m p i n g .
5. L o w e r c o s t f a i r w a y

irrigation.

RESIDENCE:
35 Park Ave., Wakefield, Mass.
Crystel 1 7 6 1 - W

OFFICE:
1 7 5 H i g h St., B o s t o n ,
Hubbard 5580

Mass

P U B L I C A T I O N S ON TURF GRASSES
( A list prepared b y Dr. V. T. S t o u t e m y e r ,

Iowa State

College)

I.—Books on Turf Growing
T u r f f o r Golf Courses. P i p e r a n d Oakley. ( M a c m i l l a n ) .
Golf Course Common Sense. F a r l e y . ( G o l f d o m ) . Most u p - t o - d a t e
g e n e r a l book.
Lawns, Links and S p o r t s Fields. MacDonald. (Charles S c r i b n e r ) .
T h e Lawn. L. S. Dickinson. ( O r a n g e J u d d Co., N e w Y o r k ) .
Lawns. Rockwell.
(Macmillan).
L a w n Making. B a r r o n . (Doubleday, D o r a n and Co.).
Grass. A. J . Macself. (Cecil P a l m e r , L o n d o n ) .
T h e Book of t h e L a w n . Beale. (Cassell and Co., L o n d o n ) .

II.—Free Publications by Commercial Firms
Golf T u r f . S t u m p p a n d W a l t e r Co., 132-138 C h u r c h S t r e e t , N e w York.
S p o r t s T u r f . P e t e r H e n d e r s o n Co., 35 C o r t l a n d S t r e e t , N e w York.
T h e P u t t i n g Green. 0 . M. Scott and Sons, Marysville, Ohio.

III.—Free Government Publications
N e w J e r s e y A g r . E x p . Sta. Bui. 49G. E x p e r i m e n t s w i t h T u r f Grasses in
N e w J e r s e y . N e w B r u n s w i c k , N. J.
U. S. D e p a r t m e n t of A g r i c u l t u r e Bui. (Tech. Bui. 1 7 3 ) . T h e Blue Grass
W e b w o r m . W a s h i n g t o n , D. C.
R h o d e Island E x p . Sta. Bui. 217. T h e p e r s i s t e n c e of c e r t a i n lawn g r a s s e s
as affected b y f e r t i l i z a t i o n a n d competition. K i n g s t o n , R. I.
R h o d e Island A g r . E x p . Sta. Bui. 212. A n a n a l y t i c a l s t u d y of t h e p u t t i n g
g r e e n s of Rhode Island golf courses.
Bulletins or c i r c u l a r s on l a w n s a r e published b y t h e f o l l o w i n g a g r i c u l t u r a l
e x p e r i m e n t s t a t i o n s : F l o r i d a , Georgia, I n d i a n a ( P u r d u e ) , Iowa, K e n t u c k y , M a s s a c h u s e t t s , Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, N e w J e r s e y ,
Ohio, S o u t h C a r o l i n a , W e s t Virginia, N e w York ( C o r n e l l ) , K a n s a s .

IV.—Books on Golf Architecture
T h e Links. R o b e r t H u n t e r . ( G o l f d o m ) .
Golf A r c h i t e c t u r e in A m e r i c a . Geo. T h o m a s , J r .
(The Los Angeles,
Times M i r r o r ) .
T h e A r c h i t e c t u r a l Side of Golf. W e t h e r e d a n d Simpson. P i t c h a n d P u t t
Courses. P e t e r H e n d e r s o n Co., N e w Y o r k .
T h e Golf Club O r g a n i z e r s H a n d b o o k . ( G o l f d o m ) .

V.—Magazines on Turf Culture
G o l f d o m . 14 E a s t J a c k s o n Blvd., Chicago, 111.
T h e Pacific G r e e n k e e p e r . 910 E a s t H e r m o s a Drive, S a n Gabriel, C a l i f o r n i a .
N e w s l e t t e r of t h e G r e e n k e e p e r s Club of N e w E n g l a n d . 312 Mt. P l e a s a n t
S t r e e t , F a l l River, Mass.
T h e G r e e n k e e p e r s ' R e p o r t e r . W a y z a t a , Minn.
T h e J o u r n a l of t h e B o a r d of G r e e n k e e p i n g R e s e a r c h , St. Ives R e s e a r c h
Station, Bingley, Y o r k s h i r e , E n g l a n d .

We

Talked

With

A

Large

Seedsman

Recently

and we agreed with each other on this fact.
C O M P A R A T I V E L Y F E W SEED SELLERS A C T U A L L Y
D E L I V E R TO SEED B U Y E R S THE V A L U E T H E Y
THINK

THEY

ARE

BUYING.

May W e Quote You?

THOMAS W. EMERSON CO.
213-215 State St., Boston, Mass.
BOSTON, MASS.
"New

England's

Largest

Wholesale

Seed

House"

THE WORTHINGTON OVERGREEN
Cuts
In

Three

Greens

Less Time

Than

It Takes One Man To Cut One
I n s h o r t , it does
work.
other

Releases
work.

three

two

These

men

men's
for

Overgreens

p a y f o r t h e m s e l v e s in t h e m o n e y
they save.
Send

for

m
Overgreen

Catalog.

_

;

-M

G e t t h e f a c t s . See f o r y o u r s e l f .
M a i n Office:
Stroudsburg,
Pa.

ILf ortfungtcm

mower
\pnjMnij.

B o s t o n Office:
1 State
Street

T h e r e ' s j u s t one w a y to j u d g e a f e r t i l i z e r — b y results. T h a t ' s t h e basis on
which we ask you to j u d g e Agrico 7-6-6,
t h e special analysis r e c o m m e n d e d f o r
fairways.
Agrico 7-6-6 c o n t a i n s j u s t t h e r i g h t
a m o u n t of N i t r o g e n , f r o m organic a n d
i n o r g a n i c sources, in j u s t t h e f o r m
n e e d e d , t h a t will give an even N i t r o g e n
r e l e a s e t h a t m e a n s a s t e a d y g r o w t h of
g r a s s f r o m early S p r i n g to l a t e Fall. In
addition to t h e N i t r o g e n , and t h e p r o p e r
a m o u n t s of P h o s p h o r u s a n d P o t a s h ,
Agrico also c o n t a i n s extra plant foods,
or " r a r e e l e m e n t s " which give t u r f
a d d e d s t a m i n a to w i t h s t a n d h e a v y play
and adverse w e a t h e r conditions. Made
in N e w E n g l a n d especially f o r N e w
E n g l a n d ' s soils a n d climatic conditions,
by one of t h e world's oldest a n d l a r g e s t
fertilizer manufacturers.
W h y n o t t r y Agrico this season and
see w h a t a d i f f e r e n c e t h e extra plant
foods can m a k e in y o u r f a i r w a y s ?

I T ' S RESULTS
THAT COUNT

A g r i c o is M a n u f a c t u r e d O n l y

by

THE AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL CO.
North Weymouth,

Mass.

S p r i n g is H e r e !
have

S p r i n g is j u s t a r o u n d t h e c o r n e r , a n d w i l l c a t c h
a l r e a d y ordered your supplies.

you

unprepared

unless

you

T o help s a v e y o u t i m e , a n d t r o u b l e w e r e p r o d u c e b e l o w s o m e s u g g e s t e d
i t e m s w h i c h m a y n o t y e t be o r d e r e d .
If y o u n e e d t h e m , a n d w i l l o r d e r f r o m us,
we will make quick shipment.
A r s e n a t e of L e a d , B a i l W a s h e r s a n d R e p a i r s , B a m b o o W h i p p i n g a n d
F l a g Poles, B i r c h B r o o m s (1935 s t o c k ) , B r o w n P a t c h M a t e r i a l s . C u p s ,
Hole Cutters and T r i m m e r s , Fertilizers, Milorganite,
Hyper-Humus,
Netco, etc.
Flags, Greens and Direction Styles, Hose, Hose Repairers and Fittings,
M a r k e r s for the Tees, Greens and Distance;
Mowers, Greens, Tees,
F a i r w a y and Rough; P a i n t , Pencils, Rakes, Shovels, Forks, Sprinklers,
S p r a y e r s , Spikes, Seeds, T e e Benches, M a t s and M a r k e r s .
T e n n i s Court Accessories,
and Pneumatic Tires.
all

Tractors

and

O u r s t o c k s h a v e n e v e r b e e n as l a r g e .
rush orders the d a y t h e y are received.
W e are ready for the rush.

We

Gang
Our

Mowers,
order

w o n ' t f a i l y o u on

WRITE—WIRE—OR

Wheelbarrows

department

is

delivery.

PHONE

NEW ENGLAND T O R O CO.
1121 W A S H I N G T O N
Phones:

STREET

Newton

North

WEST
7900—West

NEWTON,
Newton

1658

MASS.

shipping