TURF CULTURE RESEARCH

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29897, 10 August 1962, Page 8

TURF CULTURE RESEARCH

Mayor Opens First Conference Turf culture was most important to practically all the residents of Christchurch who prided themselves on their lawns and gardens, said the Mayor (Mr G. Manning) when he opened the first conference of the New Zealand Turf Research Association in the Staretta Hall. For youngsters who played outdoor games and the not-so-young who played bowls, the life, growth, and durability of turf was of immense interest. Any research for retaining and improving grass was deeply appreciated said Mr Manning. He welcomed almost 100 delegates representing a .variety of outdoor sports clubs and school grounds committees from Queenstown. Dunedin. Wanganui, and Palmerston North, and congratulated the speakers on tiheir papers.

Nine speakers gave talks on soil, weeds, turf diseases, bowling greens, and research The director of the Crop Research Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research at Lincoln (Dr. L. Corkill). was the conference chairman. The speakers were: Professor T. W. Walker, professor of soil science, Lincoln College: Mr E. A. Madden, agrostologist. Department of Agriculture. Palmerston North; Mr K. H. Marcussen, horticulturist, Department of Agriculture. Christchurch; Mr A. J Healy. assistant director. Botany Division. D.SJ.R.. Lincoln: Mr M. Matheson, advisory officer. Dunedin Bowling Greens Research Association: Dr. Harvey Smith, officer-in-charge, Plant Diseases Division D.5.1.R.. Lincoln: Mr P. R. Barren, farm advisory officer, Department of Agriculture. Christchurch; Mr G. S. Harris, grassland research extension officer, D.5.1.R.. Palmerston North: and Mr C. Walker, technical advisory officer. New Zealand Institute for Turf Culture, Palmerston North. jf