NORTHERN MICHIGAN TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION C. E. “ TUCK” TATE, President $£p g 5 REC’D FRANK HEM,NGER- Secretarv-Treas. FREDERICK E. MILLER, Vice President 1147 santo TRAVERSE CITY, Ml. 49684 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2nd, 1979 PHONE: 616-947-9274 GREEN HILLS GOLF CLUB PINCONNING________ MICHIGAN The next meeting of our Association will be as shown above with the same program of golf, dinner and our business meeting. For those of you that are not familiar with the location, Pinconning is north of Bay City on Michigan 13. Anyone coming either north or south that can use Interstate-75 should get off at the Pinconning Exit, go east to M-13 and turn south on M-13 at the light, then k J/k miles south to Green Hills on the west side of the road. Tom and Dan Courtemanche have extended to you an invitation for you to play their fine golf course. Lunch is available, no starting times are necessary and golf carts are available, so------------bring along your best game and enjoy yourselves. As usual, we must know the number that will be there for dinner so please fill in the enclosed postcard and get it back into the mail. Dinner will be as close to 6:15 P.M. as possible depending upon some getting off the golf course and this will be our target time so pace yourself to be available. If you like "Happy Hour", please allow time for it in your calculations. Our speaker for the evening will be Dr. Jos. M. Vargas, one of the country’s outstanding authorities on turfgrass disease. It is always interesting this time of the year to hear "Joe" and his latest info because we are not far away from the time when we do what we think is correct to prevent winter disease problems. His guidance over the years has been very beneficial and helpful to our members. We are indeed fortunate to have someone like him to call upon when in trouble. *********«**#****#**#***#*#****«####*•***#*#**#*.11. #*#«**«.#«#.##*##***** Election of three Directors was held at our meeting at Frankfort on Sept. 12th. Fred Bond, Dave Longfield and Leon Powell were elected to serve for a term of three years. At this meeting at Pinconning, the Board will elect the officers for the year of 1980. Remember our fiscal year starts Nov. 1st and ends October 31st. ******************************************************************** October 20th, is the date of the big social party for the gals. It will be held at Hidden Valley, Gaylord. Further details will be forth­ coming in another letter however mark your calendar now gals, so the * old man can’t change your plans to attend. ' New membership cards will be yours when you pay your 1980 dues. The Board has approved something that you will be very proud to show to J anyone plus it will make an excellent display on your office wall. COh ** If you have not paid 1979 dues, this new card will not be available to you unless you pay both years. Get on the band wagon. OLDER FORMS OF NITROGEN FERTILIZER FOR TURFGRASSES James M. Latham, Acting Manager Product Utilization Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Just How Old Is Old? This title there had to add fish oil before farmers would believe is a little misleading, since they were fertilizers. "The nose knows." some so-called "new" nitrogen With oilseed processing, came seed meals of cotton, sources have been around for about 30 years. Never­ castorbean, etc. Now, all except castor are used as theless, this will be limited to pre-World War II animal feeds. materials. Animal byproducts became available with the ad­ We normally think that man, in his infinite widsorrt, vent of food processing, etc. Dried blood, process created or found use for existing forms of this vital tankage and the like have also largely passed from the nutrient. No so, for if one goes back far enough he fertilizer industry into feeds, because of the higher finds that the origin of all nitrogen forms was and is in financial return. fundamental rocks. Even today, these rocks contain Today, we still use many byproducts as N sources, almost 98% of the earth's total nitrogen. The air con­ but the majority of this nutrient is from synthetics. tains a little over 1%. The total of all the terrestrial The cyanamide process from Italy started it all in 1869, humus, sea-bottom organic compounds, and all living by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. The real things amount to a negligible quantity. breakthrough, however, came in 1913, with the True, nitrogen sources as we know them are a part development of the Haber-Bosch methods of syn­ of a vast recycling job. From atmospheric precipita­ thesizing ammoniz using atmospheric nitrogen. From tion, we receive 4 to 8 lbs. of N per acre per year and this process, most of the N fertilizers we know today soil organisms provide about 3 to 6 lbs. Industrial air originate: emissions are also contributory on a local basis. Beginning with ammonia In man's time, the earliest nutrient nitrogen sources add oxygen to produce nitric acid came from plant and animal residues, a scavenger add more ammonia, produce ammonium business. Manures from all sources have been used nitrate since intentional agriculture began. Their continued with calcium carbonate, produce calcium longevity is due not only to their nutrient supplying nitrate capabilities, but also to contributions of organic mat­ add carbon dioxide and produce urea ter and non-nitrogen nutrients. with formaldehyde, produce ureaform Surprisingly, one of the first inorganic N sources Almost add infinitum. was reported in 1733 by Jethro Tull. It is now con­ sidered new. He realized the nutritive value of Byproduct sources still continue. In code production saltpetre (potassium nitrate). He also noted that such from coal, gases are evolved from which ammonium soluble salts could damage plants and all excesses sulfate is produced. should be avoided. He wrote, "Too much nitre cor­ Nightsoil and its attendant problems is now used on­ rodes a plant; too much water drowns it; too much ly in the orient. Past ideas and recent laws in Canada heat bums it; but too much earth a plant can never and the U.S. have made processed sewage sludge a have unless it be therein buried." viable source of N in agriculture. In the 1920's During the 18th and early 19th centuries an in­ Milwaukee, Chicago and Houston developed ac­ organic vs organic controversy raged among tivated sludge processes to produce 5 to 6% heat dried agriculturists. Justus von Liebig, in 1840, put things in fertilizer materials. Milwaukee chose to identify and order through his experiments. He said, "The primary market its material, while the other cities chose to source whence man and animals derive means of market sludge as a bulk commodity. Numerous growth and support is the vegetable kingdom...Plants, smaller towns have done this on a local basis. on the other hand, find new nutritive material only in Many of these materials are of low analysis and re­ organic substances." quire more handling than newer materials. They do Chilean saltpetre (sodium nitrate) shipments began have several redeeming characteristics that continue in 1830 and became very popular in Europe. This is their popularity: probable due to its alkaline reaction in soils. Some is still being used on that account and because of its 1. Of all soluble nitrogen sources, the one that nitrate form in N. produces the best turf quality is ammonium Guano, bird manure retrieved from low raihfall sulfate (21% N). It has consistently produced ex­ islands, has been used since the 12th century. About cellent quality turf, probably because of its 1830 to 1840 Peruvian guano shipments to the U.S., sulfur content (about 27%). It can bum the turf England and Germany began. It became widely used because it is a salt with a high salt index. Its high as a fertilizer and later as the organic base or condi­ solubility, however, makes it easily watered in. tioner for mixed fertilizers. It was so popular in the Sulfate is still widely used on alkaline soils in the southern U.S. that even in the early 1950's, mixers west. NEW ROUNDUP USES ARE APPROVED Monsanto Company has now received Environmental Pro­ tection Agency registration acceptance expanding the use of its 2. Of the many natural organics, Milorganite Roundup herbicide in several areas. is one of the few survivors. As with others in this category and some synthetics, nitrogen —The following weed, tree, and brush species have been release is through microbial activity in the soil. added to the label for Roundup: Texas blueweed, kikuyugrass, Nitrification is thus controlled by temperature, reed canarygrass, cattails, Oaks, Maples, Berries, Willows, moisture and particle size. The first two factors Honeysuckle, Kudzu, Multiflora Rose, and Trumpet Creeper. also control plant growth to a great degree. —dry ditches, dry canals, and ditchbanks—may be treated Sludges contain a large number of useful and non-useful constituents. Plant toxicity has not when not carrying water or after final drawdown in irrigation been a problem but potential heavy metal up­ systems. In crop sites, furrows and ditches within labeled crop take by vegetables is a problem on acidic soils. sites may be treated when not carrying water as long as timing 3. While not considered a fertilizer per se, is in accordance with the specific crop label. spent mushroom soil still draws a premium price —Non-crop use of the recirculating sprayer—controls the as a topdressing component in many areas. same labeled species as recirculating sprayer applications in Residual nutrients from the composting process cotton and soybeans. was, at one time, the major fertilizer source for —Ornamentals—any ornamental species may be planted golf greens. following an application. When a directed spray is used, 4. Castor pomace is still used as a nitrogen applications may be made only around particular species on source in many areas. It is an excellent organic the label. (5% N), but contains ricin, a toxic compound. Many people get an allergic reaction in handling Roundup is a foliar-applied, non-selective herbicide sprayed it. when weeds have reached a vigorous stage of growth. When 5. Loss of seed meals to the feed manufacturers applied directly to foliage, it is described as trans-locating was a major loss to turf growers. Even though of throughout the plant, destroying above and below-ground low analysis, they were easy to use, dependable plant tissues, including the reproductive root system. Applica­ and generally available. tion rates and timing vary according to the weed species being 6. Sodium nitrate and calcium nitrate are still treated. used in many areas with acidic soils.; They Following an application of Roundup, visible effects in most reduce, somewhat, the need for frequent liming annual weeds occur within two to four days; but, in most and are readily soluble. perennial weeds, visible effects may not occur for seven days or 7. Ammonium nitrate is still the most widely more. used soluble N source in the South and some other areas. It is cheap, readily available and new processing methods make it easier to han­ In commemoration of the tenth anniversary of its Pro- dle. Turf Division, O.M. Scott & Sons, Marysville, Ohio, 8. Urea is probably the most widely used solu­ is republishing its series of ten full color frameable ble N source in North America. It has a loer prints of the most popular turfgrass plants in America. bum capability, a high N content and is easy to Jim Converse, recognized as one of the world's apply either as a solid or liquid. leading botanical artists, was "commissioned" by the company to do the highly detailed paintings. To summarize, the older N forms are not as glamorous Converse has been with O.M. Scott & Sons for over as the new chamical concotions, but have not lost their twenty years. His work has been reprinted in many usefulness. The soluble types are useful because of major turf publicatins, and can be found in university solubility and consequent fast action. Some contain botany departments worldwide. Jim's many years of valuable side effects such as pH response and may con­ research experience, combined with his talent as a tain useful minor nutrients. Their solubility also writer and illustrator of technical information for enhances their spray ability when needed. Scotts, is demonstrated in his published identification The natural organics still have a wide use in tur- guides to dicot and grassy turfweeds. These books fgrass production. Their bulk is beneficial since have become standard identification aids throughout spreader calibration is easier and they are difficult to the turf industry. misapply. Nitrogen release being dependent on soil The ten paintings represent each region of the coun­ microorganisms makes them useful in formant applica­ try, with the most vivid color and the finest detail, tions in which the major N relese does not occur until depicting key distinguishing characteristics of each spring. The large variety of minor elements available plant. reduces the likelihood of deficiency and the form in Five of the paintings illustrate a group of cool season which they occur makes toxicity unlikely. Nitrogen grasses: Tall Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass, Kentucky release is not as prolonged as some synthetics so sud­ Bluegrass, Fine Fescue and Creeping Bentgrass. The den flushes of available N are not likely during hot, warm season plants are: Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, wet summer weather when N is not wanted. St. Augustinegrass, Dichondra and Bahiagrass. There is still a place for the old timers in the All ten 12" x 16" frameable reproductions of these business. If they weren't good, they wouldn't be here beautiful paintings are available for $2, to cover at all. postage and handling. (Either the Cool Season or •• Warm Season Group may be ordered separately at $1.) Orders should be sent to Scotts Paintings, Dept. A.O., Marysville, Ohio 43040. "onseRVATion... our key io me FuruRe" o> FEBRUARY 17-22, IMO ST. LOUIS. MISSOURI Ten Commandments for Living with People GOLF IN THE LATER YEARS 1. Speak to people. Nothing is so nice as a cheerful greeting. My muscles are flabby; 2. Smile at people. Takes 72 muscles to frown, 14 to smile. I can’t hit a drive. 3. Call people by name. Sweetest sound is one’s own name. My mind often doubts if 4. Be friendly and helpful. If you want friends, be a friend. I’m really alive. 5. Be cordial. Speak and act to prove everything you do is a My chipping is lousy, genuine pleasure. I never could putt, 6. Be genuinely interested in people. Just try and you can like I guess I’ll stay home and almost everyone. just sit on my butt. 7. Be generous with praise—and courteous with criticism. My iron plays awful, 8. Be considerate with others. There are often three sides to a con­ my woods are as bad, troversy; yours, his and the right side. I’m describing my game as a 9. Be alert to give help. ... what we do for others lives and is shade short of sad. immortal. So the outlook today is for 10. Add to all this a good sense of humor, loads of patience, a dash grief and for sorrow. of humility and you will be rewarded many fold. Say! who can we get for a John S. Swift Company, Inc. fourth tomorrow? To accuse others for your own misfortune is a sign of lack of ★ ★ ★ education; to accuse yourself shows that your education has begun; A husband is a man who thinks he to accuse neither others nor yourself shows that your education is bosses the house — when in reality he complete. only houses the boss. Epictetus ★ ★ ★ 6 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WE NEVER THOUGHT YOU’D ASK (BGT DECIDED TO ANSWER ANYWAY) Yes, GCSAA can help you become a bet­ I ter superintendent. One way it does this is through educational seminars and con­ ference sessions it sponsors each year to help you become better informed about turfgrass diseases, pesticides, landscaping and management practices. Yes, GCSAA provides a meeting Yes, GCSAA is helping to further the ad­ 3 ground for superintendents. Each year, GCSAA sponsors an annual conference and show for its members. Last year more than 6,500 educators, in­ 2 vancement of the turfgrass industry. Through the GCSAA Scholarship & Research Fund, Inc., GCSAA provided more than $13,500 last year in research grants to leading turfgrass programs. dustry representatives and members from all over the world attended. GCSAA’s executive committee decided at its last board meeting that the conference experience is so valuable that first-year members should be encouraged GCSAA also provides educational opportunities to turf­ to attend by being given free admission. grass students through annual turfgrass scholarships. Â Yes, GCSAA offers recognition for superintendents. Through its f public relations efforts, its 5 Yes, GCSAA provides each member with a life insurance program. Supplemental insur­ ance, disability and pension programs also are available. magazine, and its award programs, GCSAA helps promote the image and the profes­ sionalism of the superintendent. GCSAA also provides information to superintendents about how they can use public relations to promote their own image to their course, their community and their association. 6 No, GCSAA can’t help you with your golf handicap. You’ll have to work on that yourself. » GCSAA The association that offers you more than just a name. 1617 ST. ANDREWS DRIVE • LAWRENCE, KANSAS 66044 913/841-2240 Since we operate on a fiscal year starting with November 1st, dues for / the fiscal year of 19^0 can now be paid to our Sec.-Treas. Prank Hemlnger, lie prefer that we do not have to send our Invoices for dues and ask your cooperation In your sending In your check along with any change In classification, address, telephone number, club affllltlon, commercial connection, firm or anything that you would like us to Incorporate In our 1980 membership roster booklet. For your information dues are as follows: Class "A" Membership #15.00 Class WB", "D", #10.00 Class "E" « 7.50 Class «P« #25.00 Class "S-l", "S-2" # 7.50 Name .......................................................................................................(Please print) Home Address ................................................................................................................................ City, State, Zip Code.............. ............................................................................................. Club Affiliation or Firm ..................................................................................................... Residence Phone, Include area code ...............................Business phone........... .. Send Mall to ....................................................................................................................... .. Are you a member of G.C.S.A.A.? Yes............ No.............Do you want an application? Type membership Class........................... .Any Recommended Change?.......... If you are a new applicant for membership In our Association and do not understand the oategory of membership that you might fit Into, please * ask any of our Officers or Board Members for assistance. « We would like to remind you that If you as a member wish to reolssslfy your present classification. NOW is the time to do so because we do not automatically reclassify members. A written note must be initiated by the member desiring change and must be sent to our Sec.-Treas. Frank hemlnger. If you have any question, ask any officer at this meeting. “Remember, son,” said father, trying to teach a lesson, “a job well done need never be done again.” YOU KNOW IT’S A BAD DAY WHEN . . . “What about cutting the grass?” asked the skeptical boy. . . . you turn on the morning news The Kleinknecht Encyclopedia and they’re displaying emergency routes out of the city. or, your boss tells you not to take off your coat. I can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice be­ or, the bird singing outside your cause thorn bushes have roses. window is a buzzard. John S. Swift Company, Inc. or, your horn goes off accidently and gets stuck when you’re following a group of Hell’s Angels on the freeway, or, when your Income Tax Refund “Oh, please don’t trouble yourself,” said the departing guest to check bounces. the weary host. “I can see myself to the door all right.” or, when the 60 Minutes news team is waiting for you in your office. “It’s no trouble,” said the host. “In fact, it’s a pleasure.” or, when your only son tells you he wishes Anita Bryant would mind her own business. NINTH NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON PARK AND GROUNDS MANAGEMENT, October 28 - November 2, Opryland Hotel A Nashville, Tennessee the postcard NOW?