UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION GREEN SECTION S O U T H W E S T E RN D I S T R I CT TEXAS A &M COLLEGE COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS S O U T H E A S T E RN D I S T R I CT P L A NT INDUSTRY STATION BELTSVILLE, MARYLAND MARVIN H. FERGUSON MID-CONTINENT DIRECTOR NATIONAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR JAMES B. MONCRIEF SOUTHWESTERN AGRONOMIST JAMES M. LATHAM, JR. SOUTHEASTERN AGRONOMIST SOUTHERN TURFLETTER Vol. I No. 5 November 1957 CARE OF EQUIPMENT If you have not cleaned and properly taken care of your equip- ment used during the long maintenance months, don't delay -- do it now. F e r t i l i z er Distributor It may be too late on the f e r t i l i z er d i s t r i b u t o r. f e r t i l i z er was l e ft in the distributor you may find the agitator frozen from lack of lubrication or the hopper in need of repair. Check and see if the wheels drag. If you cannot turn them, you may have to use a wrench on the agita- tor so it w i ll turn. If A f t er each application of f e r t i l i z e r, make a practice of washing, dryings and applying a thin layer of o il to your f e r t i l i z er distributor. Spraying Equipment The sprayer should be cleaned a f t er each operation. Many mis- takes have been made by f a i l i ng to thoroughly remove the last spraying material. is a good practice to take precau- tionary steps to prevent damage. If you borrow a sprayer it A suggested method f or cleaning sprayers a f t er using 2,14-D i s: 1. Flush system with a detergent water mix. (10 table- spoons of liquid datergent per 50 gallons of water). 2. Flush system 2 times with a water household ammonia mix. (l cup of household ammonia per 50 gallons of water). / A e r i f i e rs If you use an a e r i f i er with replaceable spoons check the spoons often to be sure none is bent. You do not get good penetration with bent spoons. These spoons may be straightened back to a normal position with a pipe with an inside diameter just large enough to f it over the spoon. An 18-inch pipe has been very satisfactory f or this operation. observed that approximately one spoon out of four w i ll break when being bent back into position. A ll broken spoons should be replaced as soon as pos- s i b l e. an excessive amount of rocks on your course. is not advisable to use a e r i f i e rs with hollow spoons if you have It has been It Mowers The usual procedure for care of mowing equipment is to replace a ll missing, broken, or worn parts during the winter months when maintenance on the g o lf course is stopped. This practice takes advantage of and u t i l i z es hours when employees might otherwise be i d l e. When this equipment has been properly overhauled and is ready f or it use, t ry it out to see if ing order, give it a f i r s t - c l a ss paint job and lubricate w e ll so that w i ll be ready to go when you are in need of functions correctly. If everything is in work- i t. it During the mowing period it is very important that mowers are kept w e ll adjusted at a ll times. During the hot summer days that we experience in the South you may have to adjust your r e el mowers during the heat of the day in order to get the best performance, as metal does expand when it gets hot. BEKKSHIBES GRASS This is a bentgrass of f a i r ly f i ne texture, receiving considerable publicity in the northeastern section of the United States. is not being recommended for the southern states until more is known about the adaptation of the grass. It LOUISIANA TUEFGKASS CONFEEENCE The f i r st annual Louisiana Turfgrass Association Conference was held at Southwestern Louisiana Institute on October 21 and 22. Approximately f i f ty turf enthusiasts representing a variety of interests were present. The association looks forward to a p r o f i t a b le year under the leadership of President Lou Vickers, superintendent of the Metairie Country Club in New Orleans, and Professor J. M. Peek, of S. L. I. Professor Peek is research director f or the association. TURFGRASS RESEARCH IN THE SOUTH During the American Society of Agronomy meetings in Atlanta, November 1 8 - 2 3, southern turfgrass agronomists set up an organization interstate cooperation in research. Ethan C. Holt, of Texas A. & M., was named chairman. f or With this type of organization, southern turfgrass problems w i ll be discussed and the a b i l i t i es of the group used in t h e ir solution. This w i ll not hamper each s t a t e 's independent program but w i ll provide a greater source brainpower in s p e c i f ic research problems. This "work conference" group should be a step forward in promoting turfgrass research in our area. "SOIL" The 1957 Yearbook of Agriculture is e n t i t l e d, " S o i l ". is a source of information on S o il F e r t i l i t y, Management Practices, Moisture Control, and Special Uses. Sections of interest to g o lf courses are, f or instance, on grasses, ornamental plants, drainage problems, how to control a g u l l y, s t a b i l i z i ng sand dunes, s o il insects and diseases, and many other items of It i n t e r e s t. This Yearbook can be obtained from the Superintendent of Docu- It can usually be sup- ments, Washington 25, D. C., at a cost of $2.25- plied by your U. S. Congressman or Senator at no charge. FUTURE MEETINGS U.S.G.A. Green Section Educational Program, Drake Hotel, Chicago, 111., Jan. 2*4, 1958. Golf Course Superintendents Turfgrass Conference and Show, Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D. C. Feb. 2 - 7, 1958. Southern Turfgrass Conference', Chickasaw Country Club, Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 2k and 25, 1958. Southeastern Turfgrass Conference, Coastal Plain Experiment Station, T i f t o n, Ga., A p r il 7 and 8, 1958. Ralph W. White, Jr. Asst. Ornamental Horticulturist Dept. of Ornamental Horticulture Univ. of Florida, Gainesville^ Florida