NORTHERN MICHIGAN TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE l6th, 1982 frank heminger. secretary-Treas. GRAND TRAVERSE VILLAGE „47 santo ACME, MICHIGAN traverse city, mi. 49684 -....................... ...................... ■■ --------------- PHONE: 616-947-9274 The above day, date and location, are very special In that it is our 6th annual benefit day for THE MICHIGAN TURFGRASS FOUNDATION. It is more so special in that you will be playing on the golf course where the Michigan Open was played, in 1981 and will again be played, there July 8-11, 1982. Mike Garvale is the superintendent of this fine layout and he promises a real test of golf over this beautiful 18 holes. He also hopes that you will make up as many teams as possible of your friends and. participate. The golfing event will be a scramble and. everyone will be asked, to make a donation of $12.5® per person for the grand, cause which will benefit every friend, of turf grass in Michigan. In addition a charge of $10.00 per person will be made when you register and this will be your share $7.00 for £ cart and $3.00 into the prize pot. We would also like to see friends and suppliers who will volunteer prizes and we hope you will participate without being asked. Please bring your contributions to the party. So get busy now with your groups and remember that you must have a starting time between 9«30 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. The number to call for this starting time is 616/938-1620. Doug Grove, is the golf professional and the Pro Shop is on the first floor of the Sand Trap, located on M-72, east of the Intersection of U.S. 31 and M-72. Lunch is available at the Sand Trap restaurant, the same building where you register and pick up your golf cart. Besides Mike Garvale as golf course superintendent, he has as his assistants, Gary Pulslfer and James R. Olli. All three are members of our Association. We suggest that you keep in mind that this tournament will be."Better Ball of 4 Scramble". So get busy, get your groups and get on the tele­ phone for starting times. Dinner will be served at 7 «00 P. M. in the Hilton Hotel. So regardless if you play golf or come for dinner only, please schedule your actions accordingly. Those of you that come for the meeting and dinner only, please keep in mind that you should make a donation to the Foundation fund. The Hotel must know the number that will be there for dinner and as usual we are enclosing a postcard for you to list your guests as well as yourself. This postcard must be returned to Frankfort by June 10th as that is the date^eport back. In addition, there will be a prize for someone returning a card and you do not have to be present to win. Our winner last month was Fred Bond of Hidden Valley. His name □¿Wwas drawn at the Traverse City meeting and he received his present then. Your postcard should get action immediately. We are most fortunate in having as our speaker for this occasion, Mr. Jim Latham, Manager Marketing and Agronomy, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. This gentleman has traveled to many corners of the globe and has seen thousands of golf courses in his duties before and since being with Milorganite. His slides are among the finest, 1 his words of wisdom something which we cannot afford to miss and so we have an outstandingtreat in our speaker. Replacing Poa Annua With Bent by: Warren Bidwell Trained in landscape architecture at the University of Cincinnati, Warren Bidivell is the manager of the golf course and grounds of Olympic Fields Country Club, near Chicago. As advisor to the growers ofPenncross and Penneable bentgrass during the last 12years, Warren has had an opportunity to travel to many other countries, and to address turf conferences around the world. In dealing with this old and very natural conditions under which it is fession.” frustrating problem is there really played on the British link courses, is a Bob Shields, Supt. of Woodmont, anything new under the sun? I sus­ far better sport. The overmanicuring and former president of G.C.S.A. pect you are, like myself, forever of our courses to meet the demands took this approach. “I spike my looking for either a new idea with of our golfers has injured the game. greens monthly between April and which to deal with the subject, or a Things have to be too perfect with us, October, two ways if necessary, and different approach using an old idea. and the only practical excuse for the apply 1 pound of P. Cross per green.” It certainly is not my intent to tell maintenance of our roughs in almost Bob only airified during August, you how to do your job, for I can only fairway condition is the problem of verticutting the cores from his ex­ relate my personal experience and delay in play created by lost balls.” cellent soil structure. In ten years he that of others in dealing with Poa. I often recall our determined ef­ transformed his mixed POA-SEA- A short history, then, is a good forts to rid ourselves of Poa via the SIDE BENT to all P. Cross Greens. starting place. For Poa is not a new tri-calcium arsonate method; how Such a program depicts a good subject. I can easily recall the pre­ many of my friends went down to procedure in action, one that least sence of this weed-grass when I defeat and lost their jobs because of disrupts the playability and gives began caddying in 1929 at Clover- their efforts. Then later on the little cause for concern from the nook C.C. in Cincinnati, Ohio. membership realized he had more on membership or the superintendent. During the past fifteen years I have the ball while going in this direction There are other variations to be had the good fortune of worldwide than they had realized. The success found in use around the country, like travel under the sponsorship of turf of this type of program takes years the monthly light top dressing pro­ interested firms, and I can assure you and, most of all, patience on the grams of sand, accompanied by over that Poa is a universal problem ap­ membership’s part for positive re­ seeding. This program drew a full plicable to all climates, knowing no sults; that improved turf by replacing house when presented by Dr. geographical bounds. Poa with bent was possible after all. Madisen during the G.C.S.A. con­ Almost no Poa is found in the For the lack of faith, a good program ference in Portland, Oregon a few desert country golf courses, of the was dying about the time EPA put an years ago. U.S.A. But at the Furnace Creek Inn ax to the manufacturers of the pro­ While at Wing Foot during his “1st Golf Course in Death Valley, duct because of poor working con­ time around”, Sherwood Moore Calif., where the temperature has ditions in the plants. achieved some degree of satisfaction reached 137° in mid summer, there it Why, then, have we pursued the in eliminating Poa from fairway turf was growing in the compost piles in challenge to rid our courses of Poa using an old timer, Endothal. November. In Capetown S.A., it was Annua? Again, quoting from the During my return trip to Australia in abundance on a course overlooking Green Section magazine, “A golf course last May to participate in their 6th the Indian Ocean, as observed in superintendent would simply not sur­ national program in Hobart, Tas­ November of ‘74 during the NCR vive in the U.S. with the turf manage­ mania, I observed a very successful sponsored S.A. open. ment practices commonly followed program using Endothal and a new On the many courses of Spain, abroad. Our golfers demand quality product, Ethofumesate, marketed Australia, New Zealand and Japan, turf and uniform playing conditions. under the Australian trade name the usual question was always Our climatic differences dictate a “Turmat”. Upon my return, I wrote straight forward. “What do you chaps total turf management effort; disease Ted Gilligan, superintendent of in the States do with Poa Annua? control, weed control, optimum fer­ Tasmania Golf Club concerning his Further questions always indicated tility levels, uniform irrigation, soils to program, and I quote from his reply. a line of thinking that went something resist compaction, etc. The climatic “The chemical you speak of is Etho­ like this. “You rich Yanks should be factors and the turf use factor alone fumesate, which Scherings are going able to handle it, you spend more takes all the argument out of “who to market under the trade name of money on turf maintenance than any­ grows the best turfgrass in the world?” “Turmat”. This is the product that is one else in the world.” How true! The question is irrelevant. Suffice to called “Tramat”; it is the same Could it be that we encourage some say the turfgrass plant, through good chemical but not registered for fine of our own problems with this pest management, can be successfully grown turf. The rate that I use this material weed-grass? around the world and under a tre­ is 1.5 litres of Tramat to 1,000 litres In support of this question, and the mendous variety of climatic condi­ of water to 1 hectare or acres. As beliefs of quite a number of pro­ tions. It’s a marvelous plant! It us­ you can see this is a veiy low rate of fessional turf growers today, I offer ually demands good management, water to that given area. I use this in the following quote from Mr. Richard and to grow it well, our constant the autumn, April/May and use Tufts, past president of the U.S. golf attention. Turfgrass management is Endothal in spring and summer also association. “Golf under the more the center of a veiy humbling pro­ at the same rate, but at 10 - 14 day 2 Credit greenmaster intervals, rather than 3 to 4 weeks as Replacing Poa Annua (continued recommended by the manufacturer. The rate of the manufacturer is much TURF INSECTS higher than what I use which pro­ bably accounts for longer periods allies.” A Book By At this point I believe we should between sprays by them. I find that I broaden the subject to include fair­ Dr. Harry Niemczyk cannot use it here when frosts are imminent.” ways, then ask the question, “Why replace Poa Annua with bent?” In The views of Dr. Roy Goss, geographical areas that cover both Washington State University are the cool season and warm season turf reported in the August 1980 issue of growing region, we know from ex­ Golf Course Management. perience £hat Poa has some very “It is the obligation of profession­ basic weaknesses that show during ally dedicated turfgrass researchers the stress of the summer months, a and golf course superintendents to time when our turf should provide the provide the best quality turfgrass best possible playing condition. Lack surfaces and grasses with the least of ability to cope with the H&H twins number of management headaches. (heat and humidity) are the first to With constantly increasing operat­ come to mind. Unfortunately, the • A field guide and reference ions and maintenance budgets, we negative aspect of this weed-grass • Over 130 color photos • Easy-to-read language must search for methods of reduced does not end here. Short roots and • Life cycles, identification and diagnosis maintenance costs including labor susceptibility to summer turf dis­ for northern and southern insects and mites and materials. Bentgrasses have a eases provide additional points • Color photo guide for easy identification • Principles of controlling pests in soil, wider range of adaptation for putting against trying to live a successful thatch, leaves and stems greens in North America than any professional life with Poa, because we • Equipment and methods for detecting turf insects other grass. There are fewer prob­ may be reminded of the famous beer • 8 x 11, spiral bound with heavy duty lems associated with the care and T.V. ad, “When you’re out of Schlitz, plastic cover. maintenance of bentgrass by far than you’re out of beer”, or more aptly put, the management of Poa Annua. Con­ brown is bad, green is good. Bringing sidering summer heat stress and win­ this subject into sharp focus, we must , DESTRUCTIVE ter desiccation factors, alone we find recognize that our turf scientists have the survival rate of bentgrasses sig­ clearly demonstrated that bentgrass TURF nificantly better than Poa Annua. On develops a far greater root structure the disease front, fewer fungicides than Poa, requires less irrigation, and :1 INSECTS are required to maintain excellent responds more favorably to a well quality bentgrasses than Poa Annua. timed program of fertility to help Although some hand syringing may ward off the rigors of summer problems. be necessary under extreme summer This is most important as we go into conditions with bentgrasses, labor the 80’s and must face the escalating 1 ty can be significantly reduced as com­ cost of producing satisfactory turf for l9 M. HARRT NIIMCXTK. ENTOMOLOGIST pared to managing pure strands of our membership. With the upward 1 Poa Annua. As a matter of fact, a little swing of P. Cross and P. Eagle seed !_______________________________________________ stress tends to tip the balance in favor production, plus price adjustments at ORDER YOURS TODAY! of bentgrasses rather than Poa Annua. the consumer level, we can look for­ Investigations have been continu­ ward to greater incentive toward con­ one for each service ing as part of our turfgrass project at verting from POA to bent. vehicle Washington State University’s ------------ ft----------- Complete the order form below Western Washington research and and send to: HDN BOOK SALES 2935 Smithville W. Rd. extension center at Puyallup, Wooster, Ohio 44691 Washington, on the methods of con­ Please send me_________ copy(ies) of trolling Poa Annua since 1958. As early as 1961, we knew the value of All business is really the DESTRUCTIVE TURF INSECTS. art ofpleasing, and only Enclosed is my check for $_______________ pre-emergence herbicides in control­ the man or woman with the ling the germination of Poa Annua. right kind ofpersonality $18.95 each PLUS $1.25 postage and Since that time a great deal of effort handling for single copies and can please. Personality $0.25 per addtional copies. has gone into nutritional manage­ goes to the root of a person. Ohio residents PLEASE add ment with special emphasis on the A 24-carat personality $0.85 (4.5%) sales tax. use of higher levels of sulfur, re­ carries with it all the WRITE FOR QUANTITY RATES duction of phosphates, maintaining qualities that make up Name_____________________ ____________ adequate levels of potassium and the finest type of manhood. | Address________________________________ moderation in the use of nitrogen. We cannot wear the right ¡City_______________ State_____ Zip------------ kind ofpersonality and be Unquestionably, irrigation plays a the wrong kind ofperson. | Signature___________________Date------------- vital role in balance between bent- B.C. Forbes ¡Scheduled for publication October 20, 1981. grass and Poa Annua. Over-irriga­ Please allow 4 weeks for delivery after tion is one of Poa Annua’s greatest I publication date. AUGUST 1981 3 THIS IS THE WEEK THAT WAS - GREENKEEPER’S DIARY THURSDAY — My yellow crud is back. by Bill Smart (Reprinted from Heart Beat) Every year it comes the end of July. Interesting light green spots get weaker Upgrading the looking then turn yellow . . . then gray MONDAY - Want to spray bad dollar • • . then dead. Some say it’s Fusarium, K301 Kohler spot on greens. Cushman won't work. some say anthraznose, some say..fu-nose. Sprayer won’t work. I don’t want to Wife says it’s my imagination. My Engine work. Nobody else wants to work. Two assistant got rid of the persistent red I am writing this article because I feel my of the crew stayed home and did not leaf spot patch on the practice green, he mechanic and I have found a very inexpen­ work. Just had a phone call that the cut it with an eight-inch patcher and threw it in the pond. Sure is wonderful sive way to upgrade the Kohler K301 twelve- Junior Golfers are to have a shotgun start on both nines at 8:30. Hung up in what they teach at the U. of Mas. • . . horse engine. the caller’s^face. Should not have had Since I have been at Troy C.C., we have had FRIDAY — In at dawn again and fell that last beer last night. Mowed greens a problem with the Super Pro and Qreen- over the barn dog before I could get a and tried not to notice that the cups light on. Friday is the day we do master^ three triplex mowers overheating. needed changing and the dollar spot is EVERYTHING. Assistant late ogain, Discussing this with other superintendents, I even worse than I thought. Did not sometimes I wonder about him. He mow 13. Hate it. Between the winter* have found this to be a problem on hilly wouldn’t even hold still when I had to kill, oil-spi llkill and the disease, we cut the bubble gum out of his hair, got courses, such as ours with this engine. ought to tow it to the SPCA and have Four years ago, we purchased a new mad because I cut his headband. This them put it to sleep. Chairman left is the day I was going to spray because Greenmaster three triplex mower. It had a message at the Pro Shop to get in touch I missed last Friday that should have new upgraded engine, the K301 fourteen with him at once. He better not hold his gone on the Friday before that. Maybe horse. The added two horsepower was breath. Hit 95 by late afternoon. Late Monday. Maybe by then the cutworms for supper, wife mad, supper lousy, I’m enough to alleviate our problem. We also will have turned to moths and flown mad. Watered ’till dark. Showered and learned the manufacturer had upgraded the away. Looped around the course in the went to bed. Wife sexy — ,’m not. pre-dawn light and saw four joggers, a Super Pro engine in the same manner to solve TUESDAY — Went in at daylight — mushroom picker, two ball hoppers in the overheating problem. the air feels like a police dog’s breath. the pond, three members walking dogs, Got the sprayer working. Can’t figure Three years ago, we were going to put short an old Itolian lady cutting dandelions out why the chemical companies blocks on our Super Pro and Greensmaster and a partridge in a pear tree. Threw a package dusty chemicals in bags that three, which had the twelve-horse engines. rock at the last mentioned. I love the are impossible to open without getting Both engines have had the cylinders bored to course early in the morning — so quite, it all over yourself and the sprayer, not so peaceful and tranquil. I think I’ll .030 a few years before. We thought we could to mention breathing it. The cheapest call the state troopers and have all these not have them bored again because the cereal on the market is packaged in people arrested. Picked up the remains easy-to-open-and-close containers. We cylinder walls would become to thin. of a big beer party by the 15th then went all should go granular - that would snap We began comparing^ the K301A four- to work. their eyes open. Fairway tractor stuck SATURDAY — Everybody in the world teen-horse engine with the K301 twelve- in wet spot right next to the huge localized dry spot the crew calls Iran. loves weekends but Greenkeepers. More horse engine. The model numbers being Why are there so many cars in the club turf disasters have happened on Saturday almost the same meant the blocks themselves and Sunday than all the Mondays, lot? The Pro Shop says it is a ladies’ were identical. Only the specification num­ member-guest transferred from another Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays put together. Right off the bat bers were different, meaning internal parts club that had a fire in their kitchen. I four pins and a dozen markers missing would differ. With a Kohler small engine think I’ll set one in ours and let them eat at Burger King. Go home early — and the usual moronic messages written manual, we started comparing the different sleep thru supper. Wife mad again, too in the sand traps . . . why can’t they specifications. We discovered the only write inspirational thoughts or the tired to be mad. Mow rough ’till dark. difference was the cylinder bore size. In the Showered and ate cold left-over supper.^ weather report? A neat group artied last night. All imported beer, an empty twelve-horse engine it was 3-%” verses the Felt sexy - wife still mad from early Southern Comfort bottle and two Cutty fourteen-horse which was 3%”. This being evening. Lost interest. WEDNESDAY — Slept late, went in Sarks — members* kids. the only difference, all we needed to purchase at 7:00. Changed cups 18 greens, hit SUNDAY — Greens mower failed to was a piston and a set of rings for the 14 rocks. No record, but close. Thirteen show ’till I had mowed five greens, I fourteen-horse engine. Then we. took the would have fired him, but then I would green has disease that looks like vomit — engine to a machine shop and had the have had to finish. Things looking on close inspection it is vomit — what cylinder bored to 3%”. We put the engines pretty good today. Can’t wait ’till a relief! You can always hose off vomit. Monday to see what the hell will back together, and these two machines are Birds working on greens — how many cutworms does it take to fill up a crow! happen next. currently in their forth summer of use. They I think their mother was raped by a have never overheated and have performed rooster the way they scratch with black as well, if not better, than I could have ever toenails and dig with their breaks. The expected. Our cost analysis was a savings of member who owns the ice cream plant ★ ★ ★ approximately $325. on the two machines. told me we need more sand in the traps — I told him his maple walnut needs more After hours of exhaustive study and I am passing this information along as it is nuts. He said, "Times are Tough" - millions of dollars spent, the govern­ an easy way to upgrade these engines at very ment has determined the mortality rate I agree. Went in the club for a cup of little cost. coffee and the manager asked me if I for smokers and non-smokers is exact­ Mark Graves knew anything about the septic backing ly the same — 100%. The only differ­ up. Left without getting the coffee. ence is in the timing. Credit: Our Collaborator Fairly normal afternoon except we are ★ ★ ★ down to one cushman. Are flat tires contagious? Home for supper at the right time for a change — no one is home. A salesman had recommended a particular toy for a young boy’s birthday Note says heat a TV dinner. Go down present. The boy’s mother asked, “But isn’t this too complicated for a five- to the Old Eagle Inn and wash a steak down with a half-dozen hinnies. Finish year-old?” . mowing rough. Wife mad. Don’t care, “This, Madam, is an Educational toy designed to prepare him for life in sleep on floor after watching Sands of today’s world, ’ ’ the salesman replied. ‘ ‘Any way he puts it together, it turns out Iwo Jima. Love Big Duke. wrong.” z Continued New Fusarium Blight Treatment by Dr. Joseph M. Vargas, Jr. he debate among plant gen fertility in the summer months and against traditional beliefs of heavy in­ T pathologists still goes on over the cause of the disease known as Fusarium blight. However, while the debate of the cause light frequent irrigation during the warm weather. Kentucky bluegrass turf undergoing senescence (natural aging and dying) is more susceptible to frequent irrigation to encourage deep root growth. The idea behind this is that the soil will dry from the top down and the turfgrass root will grow down or causes of Fusarium blight goes on, Fusarium blight than those not under­ in search of moisture. Heavy infrequent a new chemical management tool has going senescence. Nitrogen fertility in irrigation will encourage deep root pene­ come on the market. the summer helps prevent the Kentucky tration in the spring and fall when the The fungicide is triadimefon which bluegrass from undergoing senescence. soil temperatures are cool. However, re­ will be sold under the trade name of This goes against traditional beliefs of gardless of how a turf is irrigated in the Bayleton. It has been one of the most only applying nitrogen in the spring and summer, the natural tendency of all effective fungicides for the manage­ the fall on Kentucky bluegrass and turfgrass species is to have shorter roots ment of Fusarium blight in research avoiding summer nitrogen application. in the summer when warm soil tem­ trials at several universities including However, these recommendations were peratures occur. Therefore, the argu­ Michigan State. Triadimefon is dif­ based primarily on research demon­ ment for heavy, infrequent irrigation ferent from other Fusarium blight strating the times of year Kentucky to encourage deep root growth in the fungicides in that it is only effective bluegrass could best utilize the nitro­ summer is not valid. when applied as a preventive treatment. gen coupled with data showing high Light, frequent irrigation does re­ Other Fusarium blight fungicides can be rates of nitrogen makes Kentucky duce the severity of Fusarium blight. applied either preventively or curative- bluegrass more susceptible to heat and Its action is probably three-fold. One, it ly. This means if triadimefon is to be drought stress. This would all be rele­ supplies water to Fusarium blight in­ effective it must be applied to the turf vant if your primary goal was “growing fected plants that have only short root before Fusarium blight symptoms ap­ grass” but it isn’t, or at least it shouldn’t systems. Secondly, if applied at mid­ pear or before the “frog eyes” from be. The primary goal of any turfgrass day, helps cool the turf better enabling previous years become active again. manager should be “maintaining turf”. it to survive heat stress. The third ef­ This will vary from one location to More explicitly maintain healthy, dense, fect may be the encouragement of mi­ another. One should check with the pest-free turf. Whether the plant can croorganisms which are antagonistic to turfgrass experts in their area to deter­ better utilize the nitrogen in the spring the Fusarium fungi or other precursors mine the date when Fusarium blight and fall compared to the summer is of Fusarium blight. normally occurs. Triadimefon should not the point. The point is Kentucky The lawn care industry now has a be applied 2-3 weeks prior to the time bluegrass needs some nitrogen applica­ new fungicide for the management of Fusarium blight symptoms normally tions in the summer to avoid senescence Fusarium blight, triadimefon occur. and severe Fusarium blight outbreaks. (Bayleton), to go along with the other The exact rate for effective manage­ While excess nitrogen, 2 to 3 Ibs/mo. fungicides Tersan 1991, Fungo 50 and ment of Fusarium blight with tri­ in the summer, may make Kentucky Cleary’s 3336. The main difference adimefon are still being investigated. bluegrass more susceptible to heat and with triadimefon is that it must be ap­ The test results range from 2 oz/1000 drought stress, 1/2 lb actual nitrogen plied preventively before Fusarium sq. ft. to 8 oz/JOOO sq. ft. and from in June, July, and August will not blight begins to develop. Regardless of one to two applications/season. This noticeably increase Kentucky bluegrass which fungicide is used to manage should not be surprising considering the susceptibility to heat and drought stress Fusarium blight, it will be far more ef­ confusing nature of this disease. But and it will reduce its susceptibility to fective if it is incorporated with good even more important in explaining the Fusarium blight. cultural practices discussed above. rate difference may be the cultural Light frequent watering also goes regimes under which the Kentucky bluegrass was maintained. Kentucky bluegrass turfs maintained with good cultural practices should have milder outbreaks of Fusarium and, therefore, The doctor explained to Walters that he had a serious ailment lower rates should be more effective in for which an operation was absolutely imperative. managing Fusarium blight. Fungicide The patient turned pale and asked, “Isn’t it very dangerous?” treatments are far more effective for “Yes,” the doctor replied. “Five out of six who have this more diseases where good cultural operation die, but as for you, you have little to worry about.” practices for disease management are “Why not?” eagerly inquired the patient. / followed. “Well, you see you’re a cinch to recover because my last five Good cultural practices for Fusari­ patients died,” the doctor reassured him. The Bagpipe um blight management consist of nitro­ 5 Dr. Wm. H. Daniel, Purdue University reports that the phone number listed in your membership booklet for him is now obsolete. A new computer-type phone system has been installed and the new numbers should be listed in your booklets W.H. Daniel 317/494-4?85 Bay Preeborg 494-4784 Jo Hom 494-8039 #####*##**#*######*#*#**####**##***##*#***#********************** Michigan State University through funds donated by the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation has installed a "Code-A-Phone" answering service for turfgrass. Each week a new message will be available to anyone calling and this message will give suggestions on disease outbreaks or warnings, the same on other problems involving turf, plus if you have a problem and would want an answer, you can leave a message asking them to contact you and they will do so within 24 hours to try to aid you in your problem or need for information. This service will be available to all professional turf managers and is not available or designed for the home owner. Home owners should consult their county agents who in turn could use this service. This service will be available when you receive this letter and please mark down the number in the membership booklet: 517/355-5221 *###*##**######*#*###########*###**#**********##***************** Better turfgrass management decisions can be made if grass charact­ eristics are studied according to a nationally recogonized turfgrass scientist at Texas A «Sc M. The study of root growth characteristics ( in the rhizatron of the TAMU Turfgrass Field Laboratory revealed this vital finding, according to Dr. James Beard, turf and crop < physiologist with the Texas Ag Experiment Station. The root dieback occurs, Beard says, at about the same time as spring greenup of grass, when it begins to put out new leaves. If you seek to encourage’ new growth of leaves and applications of nitrogen can kill or damage grass. Instead of fertilizing with nitrogen, in early spring, adequate fertilizer applications the previous fall should be made to sustain spring growth. Delay nitrogen applications until two or three weeks, after greenup. Mowing of grass needs to be done, Beard says, with care and understanding. Mowing reduces the amount of the plant available to intercept sunlight and manufacture plant food for growth ######*###***#####*###############*###**#####*######*####**#### No man is a failure who, after he has blundered, picks himself up and says, “I’m smarter now.” When your undertakings don’t pan out as well as you hoped, bear in mind that the projects ★ ★ ★ through which other persons have achieved dramatic success are “Does this union have any death the result of experience gained in trying things that didn't work. benefit?” “Yup. When you die, you don’t Edison is the most famous example. He tried a thousand different have to pay any more dues.” ways to perfect an electric light without success. After each one ★ ★ ★ he knew more than he did before. He didn’t call his miscalcula­ tions failures. He called them “experiments.” Try calling yours that and see what it does for your morale. The Little Gazette ##############################################**##########*#### June 16th, Grand Traverse Village, just north of Traverse City on U.S. 31 to M-72, east on M-72 to Sand Trap, north side of M-72 about | mile form Intersection. Make your starting times and mail 6 your post card today. Thanks.