UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION GREEN SECTION S o u t h e rn T u rf l e t t er ÎJO • 5 T E L E P H O N E: L I B E R TY 8 - 2 7 41 SOUTHWESTERN DISTRICT T E X AS A & M C O L L E GE C O L L E GE S T A T I O N, T E X AS T E L E P H O N E: V I C T OR 6 - 5 2 10 , vC'OODGT —XyCj. n r /n DR. MARVIN H. FERGUSON M I D - C O N T I N E NT D I R E C T OR N A T I O N AL R E S E A R CH C O O R D I N A T OR JAMES B. MONCRIEF S O U T H E A S T E RN A G R O N O M I ST W. WAYNE A L L EN S O U T H W E S T E RN A G R O N O M I ST OVERSEEDING As the time for overseeding nears, many aspects of that practice are discussed. Choice of grass or grasses to use, rates of seeding, fall and spring transition periods, seedbed preparations, fertilization practices, disease control, height of cut and others, are examples of some of the subjects of discussion. Most of the practices employed are determined "by personal preferences or experiences and/or results of research. Results of research on overseeding have prompted several superintendents to alter their plans for fall overseeding. For the most part, the changes will "be done on a trial "basis for observations this season. We would encourage reading "Cool Season Grasses for Winter Turf on Bermuda Putting Greens" which appears in the current issue of the USGA Journal and Turf Management. Transition'Period According to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary transition means a change from one stage of development to another; also the period in which such change is effected. It follows then that one transition period "begins when bermudagrass greens are overseeded and another occurs in the spring or summer and ends when the bermudagrass is the sole grass present. Certainly, the ideal situations are those of gradual transitions, especially in the spring. However, when that transition period passes almost imperceptibly, it doesn't mean that no transition occurred but rather that the most ideal of any did occur. CCKFEKENCE NOTES Alabama Turfgrass Ccnferenee The Auburn University turf plots shoved many of the bermudagrass selections doing quite veil. The outstanding grass for golf course greens is still Tifgreen. Some new selections show promise for fairways and tees, but none appeared to be superior to the selections being used at this time. Curing the educational program on September 8 discussions were held on insects, nematodes, and soil mixtures for putting greens. Ground pearl damage has been found to be increasing in turf areas. Ten gallons of VC-13 per acre or 50 pounds of Zytron per acre were recommended for the control of ground pearl. Those in attendance observed their first colored slide of a male ground pearl which has wings. The female is wingless. University of Florida Turf Conference The 1961 turf conference was the largest held so far. The bkO registered were 100 more than were registered last year. There were 2-l/2 days devoted to the educational program with 52 speakers present. Br. G. C. Nutter's requirements for superintendents were grouped as follows: 1-Production — turfgrass technology, knowledge of course operation, and labor management. Eighty-five percent or more of the superintendents are doing very good under production. 2-Administration — work planning, and business management. Forty-five percent or more of the superintendents are doing quite well in this category. 3-Selling — public relations. One percent are doing an excellent job under this'category. He further stated that personal improvement and professional improvement are areas of challenge. Adults must want to learn in order to improve themselves --- and adults will learn only what they feel they need tc learn. Dr. T. E. Freeman stated the following fungicides looked good for Pythium. control in greenhouse work: Dexan, Gemesan, LuPont liquid CM and Emmi. He further stated that Tifway as well as Crmond bermudagrass is very susceptible to dollar spot. "The Greatest Show in Turf" is the advance description of the 33rd International Turfgrass Conference and Show to be held Jan. 28 to Feb. 2, 1962 at the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach. Southern turf growers should not miss this opportunity for educational and professional betterment. Chinch Bugs The chinch "bug is still a "big problem in Florida where St. Augustine grass is used. Between 23 and 25 million dollars are being spent annually for the control of chinch "bugs. Some of the insecticides being used and giving k-6 weeks control, are Parathion at 6 pounds per acre, Ethion at 10 pounds per acre, and Trithion at 7~l/2 pounds per acre. Rhodesgrass Scale There has "been considerable infestation of Rhodesgrass Scale in Florida this year where bermudagrass is being used. Where infestations were observed or found, the use of Parathion, Malathion, Trithion and other insecticides have been very effective. Because the Rhodesgrass Scale has a "crawler" stage, that is the best time to control the insect. It is not usually possible to control the insect in the scale stage without damage to the grass. Malathion at 8-9 day intervals for 3-^- applications has been very satisfactory in most cases. Where Parathion or other extremely poisonous insecticides similar to Parathion are used, extreme caution is essential. Hurricane Carla dealt her blow to the Texas Gulf Coast with all the fury of a terrible hurricane. Her damage to the golf courses in that area has resulted in expensive cleanup and repair activities. Without a doubt, much of the tree trimming will be postponed until fall and winter when the routine maintenance requirements are less time consuming. However, much work has been required so that play, fairway mowing and rough mowing could be resumed. The superintendents in the affected area are doing a commendable job with the cleanup operations. A very interesting observation after the severe winds was the range in degree of damage to different trees. Some trees had been trimmed systematically and judiciously for several years. In most cases those trees suffered much less damage than those which had not been given comparable care. WAYNE ALLEN CALLED TO ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE W. Wayne Allen, agronomist, who has served for two years in the Green Section's Southwestern Office, embarks upon active military duty October 15. Mr. Allen is a member of the k^th Armored Division which was one of the two divisions called up for the purpose of strengthening our nation's active military force. He has been granted a military leave of absence and it is expected that he will return to the Green Section staff upon completion of his tour of duty. Southern Turfletter USGA GREEN SECTION BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE P A ID College Station, Texas Permit No. 80 Dr# J* Rm Watson Chief Agronomist Toro Mfg« Corp. Minneapolis 65 Minn*