UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION GREEN SECTION Southwestern Office Texas A & M College COtreGce -STiATEPON, TEXAS MARVIN H. FERGUSON SOUTHWESTERN DIRECTOR NATIONAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR Southwestern Turfletter No. 6 = December 1955 TURFGRASS CONFERENCE ISSUE Four turfgrass conferences have been held in the Southwestern Region in recent months. The quality of these educational meetings appears to improve steadily. Golf course superintendents should try very hard to attend at least one conference each year. Green committee chairmen who have attended turfgrass conferences in 1955 have said that such meetings are beneficial to them as well as to their superintendents. Golf clubs would certainly be well advised to insist that their superintendent take advantage of all such opportunities to improve his knowledge and keep up-to-date on turfgrass matters. The Green Section cooperates with local groups as fully as possible in the planning of turfgrass conferences and Green Section staff members participate in practically all of them. The exchange of ideas at informal sessions and in individual conversa- tions is often as rewarding as attention to the planned program. We recommend the turfgrass conferences to you, ; REIMIMBER THE NATIONAL TURFGRASS CONFERENCE AND SHOW - FEBRUARY 5-10, 1956. HRGHERE The following items were gained from Southwestern Turfgrass conferences in 1955: On the value of turfgrasses,.. "I think it is a fine thing that you have developed your interest in the turf- grass situation. Turfgrasses properly selected and managed can make a real contribution to the improvement of our homes and communities. They are a thing of beauty and because of this they add greatly to our comfort and peace of mind. They increase our contentment and leave us with pleasant feelings. They increase our sociability and harmonious relationships. These things ean assist us to understand each other's problems. They increase our tolerance with respect to difficult situations. In some ways these contributions can be of minor importance but in other ways they can be of real value in coping with difficult situations. I think much good can come from the work you people are concerned with. I hope these good things can be made to reach every home, every park, every golf course, every cemetery, every roadside and all other places where people will be favorably impressed by the beauty and full value of greon grass properly selected, used and cared for." - Albert S. Curry, Associate Director New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station On the choice of a grass... "In choosing a turfgrass, one fundamental question should be answered: Will this grass do the job required of it? Whether it is for a green or fairway on a golf course, football field, home lawn, public parks or school campus, it must do a particular job and do it well. Secondary questions to be answered are: (1) Is the grass adapted to the area? (2) What are its management requirements? (3) Is this grass better than those now being grown in that area? (4) For what purpose is this grass best suited? The individual should make certain these questions are answered to his satisfaction before planting one sprig of grass. The old adage that 'it is better to be safe than sorry! certainly holds true when selecting a turfgrass for any area or a particular use." - Clarence Watson, Assistant in Agronomy New Mexico A, & M. College On compaction and watering... "Compaction refers to a condition in which aggregation is reduced or absent; hence, the soil is dense. The degree of compaction at or near the surface is of especial importance, insofar as infiltration of water is concerned. It has been shown experimentally that a very thin layer of compacted soil will materially reduce the rate of infiltxation. It has also been established that most of the compaction on turfgrass areas occurs within the upper one-half to one inch layer. It follows, therefore, that if a soil is compacted the rate of infiltation will be reduced; hence, water will have to be applied slowly in order to avoid surface runoff and insure penetration at a rate necessary to permit wetting of the root zone." - J. R. Watson, Agronomist Toro Manufacturing Company On control of diseases... "The most important principle is management. And if you will become more familiar with some of the basic principles which bring about unhealthy turf, your approach to turf health will not be one of applying a fungicide to give temporary relief, but one of intelligent management to prevent the occurrence of conditions which favor diseases." ~ Philip Leyendecker, Head Ag. Services New Mexico A. & M. College On quality of water... "Water of quite poor quality may sometimes be used successfully if proper pre- cautions are taken. If the salt content of the water is high, the salt msy be prevented from accumulating in the root zone by using large amounts of water, so that some leaching occurs periodically and keeps the salt moving out of the soil. The more salt the water contains the more leaching will be required; and, obviously, very salty water should not be used on soil that is not very permeable and well-drained. A high percentage of sodium salts in water may be counteracted by adding gypsum to the water or the soil, provided the total salt content is not too high." - Merrill R. Pack, Asst. Agronomist New Mexico A. & M. College On weed control... "The prevention or control of weeds in turf is most effectively accomplished through cultural practices. Cultural practices as you will recognize them include most of the various good management practices in maintaining good turf. They are: (1) Selecting adapted grasses for the area, (2) Fertiliza- tion, (3) Watering, (4) Mowing, and (5) Proper seed-bed preparation. Good turf management which includes these enumerated practices plus disease and insect control should be considered our most effective means of preventing weed problems. The use of chemical weed killers then may be included in the management program as an added tool." ~ John A. Long, Assistant in Agronomy New Mexico A. & M. College On the status of golf course superintendents... "In the beginning of golf course management in this country, the superinten- dent was called a 'greenkeeper.' He was ‘boss of the grass cutters.' This situation has changed. A superintendent must be, first of ell, an outstanding turf man. In addition, he must be a business man, and he mist look the part." ~ Ward Cornwell, Vice President, G.C.S.A. On motorized carts... "They are here to stay." ... "They will destroy turf." ... "It will cost more money to maintain the golf course." ... "Our electric bill was increased by about $25 when we acquired four electric carts." ... "Penalties for violating ground rules - %5 on first offense - $10 on second - suspension of cart use for 60 days." ... "Must increase size of storage facilities." ... "Carts must be so constructed that wheels will not spin." ... "An educational pro~ gram for operators is essential." ... "Clubs should own the carts and receive the revenue." - Round Table Discussion at Kansas State College HREM HA BEST WISHES TO OUR READERS FOR A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. Sec. 34.66 P. L. & R. U. S. POSTAGE Southwestern Turfletter ae Permit No. 80 USGA GREEN SECTION i M. Radko rtheastarn Direct, USGA tan Hall,Rutgers Univ, Arimewiek, N, J