WM. H. BENGEYFIELD Western Director Vol. 8 - N o. 5 • W e s t e rn T w r f l e t f er « W H O 'S T H AT W HO S A ID T H A T? When Dick Viergever, Olympic Country Club Superintendent (San Francisco) said that he had lost some grass this summer due to Australian Sod Fly, most of us thought our leg was being pulled. In fact, who had ever heard of the Australian Sod Fly? But sure enough, Dick Viergever had the proof (half a dozen flies in a glass jar) and the backing of University of California entomologists. Turf loss occured in the taller grass (rough areas) and the damage from the flies' larvae appeared much the same as grub damage* To top it off, this was reported as only the second or third observation of Australian Sod Fly (Metoponia Rubriceps) in the United States. From an experience of this kind, one soon learns to pay attention to what others are saying. Thus, a few more items for you of what some other people have recently 'said . 1 The Toughest of Them All: Al Radko, Eastern Director of the USGA Green Section reports that this was the toughest of all summers in the Northeast. ,f We have had just about any problem you care to name during this Summer of 1959. Wet wilt, sod webworm, diseases, Poa annua going out were particularly b a d. Fairways were hard hit and lots of renovation work was required this Fall. "Another factor that entered the picture was that any management practices . slightly in excess (such as a little heavy with fertilizer, or herbicide, or water, or poor timing or carelessness) proved particularly costly because of extreme weather conditions. 11 Nitrogen — To Suit Your Grass, Not Your Schedule: Handling nitrogen levels for turfgrass production is perhaps the most lf 1 The Nitrogen Story"? And yet it is surprising to find so many who have not important single factor in putting green management, What Superintendent hasn't heard tried to get the most out of 'nitrogen timing Munzenmaier of The DuPont Company presented these thoughts at a Western Turf Confer- ence this Fall. In planning for 1960, study your available nitrogen sources and plan a feeding program for greens that will produce the best turf - - not one that happens to "fit" your schedule. throughout each year. M r. Larry To Save Money - or - To Grow Grass? "How do you look at your job? Are you employed to save money for the Club in the operation of the course or are you there to grow the best in golfing turf? question was asked by Charlie Wilson of The Milwaukee Sewerage Commission. All too often we become so involved with costs and economics that we lose sight of why we are really at the Club - - - - to grow good golfing turf I n This provocative "A golf course is no place to try to save money. Neither is it the place to waste money. But most golfers joined your club because they enjoy golf. And they have employed you for your ability to grow the very best in golfing turf." If the guiding principle of you or your Green Chairman is to save money for the Club; you have misinterpreted the wishes of most golfers and the turf management program is headed for trouble. A Salute From A Green Chairman: e j uu ré V "Dedicated to Art Sunderland, Superintendent - - And To His Profession. The first duty of a good Superintendent is to know that the production of golfing turf represents a very considerable investment. From a local Golf Association survey, it was disclosed that the average expenses for an 18 hole private golf course will approximate $90,000 this year or $5,000 per hole in this area. A golf course superintendent must be proficient in his knowledge of fertilizers, fun- gicides, application of water and should have a definite program of turf improvement outlined for his course. A survey of some of the most prominent clubs indicate there are upwards of 60 important details to keep a course in top playing condition. So hats off to good superintendents - - who love their work - - cannot always out- guess the elements - - and who keep their courses up in such fine condition that it is a pleasure to play golf. C. J. Cogan, Green Chairman" From "The Irvine Coaster", official magazine of The Irvine Coast Country Club, Newport Beach, California, WEED CONTROL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1960 FAIRWAY TURF As with any new management practice, the following recommendations should be tried on a limited scale under your conditions before the materials are used on large areas. Chickweed (Common) Chickweed (Mouse-ear) Clovers Oxalis Spotted Spurge Yarrow Foxtail 2,4,5-T Propionic at 1% lbs. active ingredient in 5 to 25 gals, water per acre. Apply during fall, winter or spring when plants in active growth. With Mouse-ear Chickweed and Yarrow, 2 or 3 applications at 2 week intervals probably needed . Spot treat best • Disodium methyl arsonate at 10 lbs. active ingredient per acre. Apply in spring or fall. 2 or 3 treatments necessary at weekly intervals. Crabgrass (Large or Hairy) Sodium arsenite 2 to 4 lbs. in 100 gals. water per acre. 3 or more applications needed. First one early August with following ones at weekly to 10 day intervals. Expect temporary discoloration (first treatment usually most severe) of permanent grasses. Use lower rate of application when temperatures are high and/or soil moisture levels low. Crabgrass (Smooth or small) Sodium arsenite as described above. Add wetting agent. Disodium methyl arsonate, 6 to 8 lbs. active ingredient in 100 gals, water per acre. Late spring. Apply when soil moisture is good and air temperature moderate (70 - 80). May discolor other grasses. 3 to 4 treatments at 10 day intervals often necessary. Potassium cyanate at 8 lbs. in 100 gals, water per acre. Late spring or early summer. Apply when soil moisture is good and air temperature moderate (70 - 80). Expect discoloration. 3 to 4 treatments at 10 day intervals probably needed^ Silver Crabgrass Dallisgrass Disodium methyl arsonate, 10 lbs. per acre oj: a mixture of 4 lbs * disodium methyl arsonate plus 1 lb. actual 2,4-D plus 1 pint wetter- sticker in 40 gals* water per acre. Apply in spring or summer (temperature range 70 to 85). Two and possibly three treatments at weekly intervals may be necessary. Pre-emergence control of Silver Crabgrass with 80 lbs. actual chlordane per acre has been reported. Apply in late winter or early spring before germination. Ox-Eye Daisy A mixture of 2\ lbs. actual 2,4-D plus reported as giving good control with*no turf loss. Apply in fall, winter or spring. gals, kerosene per acre Dandelion Narrow Plaintain Broad Plaintain Burr Clover Brass Button Curled Dock Knotweed 2,4-D at 2\ lbs. actual ingrediant per acre also reported as effective. V • 1 ; 2,4-D at 1 to \\ lbs. actual ingredient in 5 to 25 gals, water per acre during the fall or early spring. Most effective when plants are in active growth. With Curled Dock, repeat treatments at 3 week intervals. 2,4-D at 1 to 1% lbs. actual material in 5 to 25 gals, water per acre. Must be applied when plants are seedlings and repeat treatments may be necessary. Kikuyugrass Some success with Dowpon at 40 lbs. per acre during spring, summer or fall. Repeat treatments as often as necessary and as soon as recovery becomes apparent. Methyl bromide at 10 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. effective. Be sure to treat area well outside of the 'infected zone*. Nut Grass Amin triozole (50%) at 12 lbs. per acre in June or July, Methyl bromide at 10 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. (LS. GOLF ASSOCIATION GREEN SECTION W E S T E RN OFFICE P.O. Box 567 Garden Grove, California BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID Garden Grove, Calif. Permit No. 83 M r. Ralph W. W h i t e, J r. D e p t. of Ornamental Horticulture University of Florida G a i n s v i l l e, F l a.