MAKING LAWNS GREENER

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 April 1937, Page 13

MAKING LAWNS GREENER

PROFESSOR TELLS HOW

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 10.

With Spring just around the corner, George M. McClure of the Ohio State University faculty told to-day how to make the grass grow greener. Mr. McClure, an instructor in the Department of Agronomy, is regarded as a national authority on grasses. A soils chemist by vocation, Mr. McClure said he started his studies in grasses as a hobby. Now he devotes much of his time to determining how to make golf courses, athletic, fields, and lawn symphonies in lush green. “'rhe secret of green grass depends, first of all, on good soil.’’ he explained.

“Tile home owner who desires a carpet of green velvet about his dwelling would do better to put his money in rich top soil instead of depending upon fertiliser alone for a beautiful lawn. The. same thing holds true for golf courses, football fields and other athletic sites where games are played upon turf.

“About a year and a-half is required to get a good sod. Seeding should be done in the fall and grass should be fertilised at least once a year."

Mr. McClure estimated that, about 250 pounds of seed would be about right for producing a satisfactory gridiron covering, hut that, from four to five tons would be required for an average 18-hole golf course. For football fields, baseball diamonds and other outdoor athletic plants where games are played on grass, he recommended Kentucky blue grass because it could “take it." For fairways which would permit of a golf ball to set up well instead of nestling down, he advised a mixture of Kentucky .blue grass, droughtresisting fescue and bent grass such as that found on greens. Bent grass, he explained, was ideal for those greens beloved by all putters, because it produced a smooth, oven surface and could be kept closely cropped. One of Ilio important needs often overlooked in producing “green pastures." he said, was surface and underground drainage. He estimated that 66 miles of tile had boon laid for drainage under the 27-hole golf course which will be opened by the t’nivorsitv in 1935.