Vol. 7 No. 4 C A T C H I NG UP F R OM B E H I ND 'Been wondering about your copies of the Western Turfletter? Several people have asked and we can only reply that a long, hot and unusually busy Summer and Fall has put us behind in publication dates. The Editor's desk is filled with research findings, turf conference reports, news items and timely turf tips. The presses are ready to roll. Be on the lookout for this and two more issues of the Western Turfletter in the next few weeks. We111 be catching up - - - - from behind. POWER EQUIPMENT IN THE BARN? Proper Storage Important'. The last blade of 1958 grass has been clipped by many power mowers. They are headed for the barn and winter storage. Just how this storage is carried out can unquestionably affect the life of the equipment as well as its performance next season. With completion of the year's work, equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and all traces of dirt and old grass removed. Any loose bolts or nuts can be found and tightened. Worn parts, if in need of replacement, will be detected and can be ordered for replacement before next season. All fuel should be drained from the carburetor, fuel filter, fuel lines and tank. This will prevent the accumulation of gum deposits that affect the starting and operation of the engine next season. - - - While the engine is still warm, drain and clean the crankcase. Refill with fresh, good quality crank- case oil. It will also be important to coat the cylinder walls with oil to prevent rust formation. Remove the spark plug and pour one ounce of S.A.E. No. 20 oil into the cylinder. Crank the engine slowly to spread the oil and then replace the spark plug. To prevent rusting, all parts should be lubricated as indicated in the equipment Instruction Manual. Indoor storage for power tools is a must for long life. Check your Instruction Manual for specific details on storage. It will save you money. CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE CLUB HOUSE? 'Fireproofing' Important'. Fireproofing Christmas trees is a simple and inexpensive process. It could certainly prove valuable to your Club. The word 'fireproof1 may be somewhat misleading as there is no method that will absolutely 'fireproof a tree. However, the following suggestions will keep the tree fresh and provide a protective coating for the needles. Step 1. Insure that the tree is supplied with plenty of water at all times. Saw off a small piece of trunk to open the water conducting vessels before setting the tree into a water holding container. Step 2. The use of Water Glass will add further to the safety of the tree. Water Glass is a sodium or potassium silicate that may be obtained from the druggist. It can be sprayed directly on the tree at the rate of 9 parts Water Glass, 1 part tap water and- a teaspoonful of any detergent to help spread the material evenly. When used at this rate, the Water Glass will not discolor the needles but will give them a shiny coating. MIXING SOIL FOR NEW GREENS? Right Ratio Important! Dr. Marvin H. Ferguson, Mid-Continent Director and National Research Coordinator for the USGA reports increasing interest in soil mixtures for putting greens throughout the country: flIn preparing a soil mixture for a green, it is extremely important to mix soil, sand and organic matter in the correct ratio. A great deal of information on this subject has been gained in the last five years from research supported by USGA Green Section grants at Texas A. & M. College and U.C.L.A. "Very small variations in the soil components may cause very great variations in the way your final mixture will behave in the putting green. It is therefore quite important to have your soil analyzed physically in order that you may have data concerning porosity, permeability, etc. We strongly recommend that you obtain such an analysis. f,We do not know of any of the land grant colleges that provide such a service, though it may be worthwhile to inquire of your state college whether they may be able to do this work. We know of only one commercial laboratory which can supply this service. It is operated by one of the former students who worked on this problem at Texas A. & M. This name and address can be supplied upon request.11 POA ANNUA CONTROL CLOSER? Latest Progress Seems Important'. Dr. Victor B. Youngner of UCLA has found three new chemicals showing promise in his work on Poa Annua control. When used at the rate of one pound per acre, Randox, Vegedix and Eptam have given promising control results. Furthermore, no bentgrass injury was noticed. All of these materials are now available on the market. However, Dr. Youngner cautions that his work is only preliminary. Makes no recommendations. A R E Y OU B O S S? - (A Continuation - Part V) Good supervision is characterised by a profound desire to develop A G O OD every member of your organization to his highest potential capacity. In order to be a good boss, you must be a good listener. Listening pays off in dollars and cents. If a supervisor continually "won't listen11, his men probably don't pay much attention to him, either. Measure yourself to see if you "Are A Good Listener." 1. Do you talk too much? — then you don't have time to listen. Remember that listening is the other half of speaking. 2. Do you ask leading or limiting questions? -- so that you get what you secretly wanted to hear, instead of leaving the way open for whatever type answer the other man wanted to give. 3. Do you pick a good time to listen? — free from mental and physical distractions. 4. Do you pick a good place to listen? — where the speaker will feel most at ease, 5. Do you listen objectively? -- or do you listen with your feelings sticking out? Recognize your emotions and allow for them in your interpretation of what you have heard. 6. Before disagreeing, try to repeat what the other fellow has said - - to his satisfaction. This will help yoti determine whether you are "speaker-centered" or "seIf-centered." 7. Do you listen for feelings behind the facts? Frequently it's the speakers feelings that will provide the key to the problem. The better you are as a listener, the better listening you will inspire around you. Emerson once said: "Life is not so short but that there is always time for courtesy." Being a good listener is often the greatest courtesy you can extend to any person. Try it. ik 1e *k