Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-03-26
GOLF GOSSIP

Here il an article on the upkeep OF
golf course. by ]. w Mayaif, vino
needs no introduction now to. the
American public. He has long been
recognized as one of the greatest ad-
thorities in Great Britain on this sub.
iect. This one came out in the World
Of Golf lately and will certainly prove
of interest to committees:
The greenkeeper who is DESTROYS OF
adding to his knowledge respecting
the Improvement and maintenance O.
his course may acquire good deal
of valuable Information If he is able
to set aside plot Of turf for expert
mental purposes. Such a plot NAV
be formed by seeding, or it may be
worked up out of the ordi:n-y turf
OF the course 1t is essential that II
should be situated on soil similar in
nature to that on which the putting
greens are placed, and If they have.
been formed out of the existing turt
then the experimental ground must
follow on the same lines.
This plot should receive the same
treatment as the putting green's, in
the shape of regular cutting and roll
ing, even then il will lack the daily
traffic of the players feet, an I'M
portant factor in estimating the wear
ing qualities of various grasses, Here.
then, the greenkeeper may test the
numerous samples of fertilizers that
The firms seeking trade from golf
clubs send round Personally, we are
not in favor of using artificial ma
nures in large quantities simply on
the glowing recommendation of ca
pable traveller, or rosily worded cir.
cular, and where suitable plot Is
reserved, for testing purposes much
useful knowledge may be gained.
To be of real service 1t is important
that such experiments should be ear,
ried out in proper and methodical
manner. A memorandum book, with
suitable columns and headings, should
be obtained. In this may be entered
the date when the turf is treated, the
name of the fertilizer, its composition,
quantity required per square yard.
price, and finally the result, adding
such notes as may come up-abnormal
weather conditions for instance.
1t is necessary to utter word OF
warning to the inexperienced in thes2
matters. For instance. too much im-
pcrtance must not be paid to fer
tilizer that produces immediate re-
suits in the form of thick and rapid
growth Such manure may easily
be of too forcing nature, causing
the stronger grasses to flourish at the
expense of the finer varieties. On the
other hand a dressing that is only
productive of slow progress may shoT
excellent results later by encouraging
the dwarf grasses so necessary for the
formation of the perfect green.
This experimental work becomes
dnubly interesting to the man who
has real love for his work. when
he carries out tests with dressings Of
his own manufacture. Having ac
ql1ired some knowledge of the chem
istry of soils and manures he may
mix ccmposts of various KINDS AMI
test them side by side on his expert
mental ground. In this manner he
may discover by practical experience
the dressings that suit his turf best.
An additional plot that enables one
to carry ont valuable tests in another
direction is the one usually maintain
ed as turf nursery. from which the
bare parts in the greens may be re-
paired when necessary. Such a plot
is usually formed from seed, and il
affords one an opportunity of giving
a trial to the various mixtures offered