BOWLING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19315, 30 October 1924, Page 4

BOWLING.

By Jack. The more serious side of bowling, that is for those who take their pleasure seriously, will commence on Saturday, when the first round of the inlerclub fixtures will bo played. ■ The strength of the clubs appears to be on about a par with that of last year, but it is, of course, too early at present to speak with any authority in this respect. Although a high wind was experienced on Labour Day—it has an unhappy habit of blowing on that particular day, it out not deter a big muster of bowlers from, patronising the majority of the greens in the centre.

The Momington players made an early start, progressive doubles games being played from 9 a.m. till 5.30 p.m. The winning skip was J. Thomson. Thomson tied with the president, D. Cunningham, lot first place, and played off five heads (singles) to decide the winner. The winning lead was W. Beattie.

The Balmacewen Club played two games against Taieri, with the following results (Taieri names being mentioned first): Oliver, Thomson, Gilligan, Leith 14, Smith, Rigby, Baird, Buchan 19; Edwards, Miller, M.‘Leod, J. Thomson 20, Crowther, M’Rae, M'Donald, Morrison 20; Sparks, M'Pheat, Davidson, Stevenson 25, Riach, Rolfe, Stables, Bennie 19 • Barclay, Beeby, Howard, Mackie 29: Harrison, Aitken, J. Adamson, Nisbet 13. Totals: Taieri, 83; Balmacewen. 71.

Barclay, Beeby, Howard, Mackie 30, Smith. Rigby, Baird. Buchan 10; MT.eod. M'Pheat, Davidson, Stevenson 24, Crowther, M‘Rae, M'Donald, Morrison 17; Edwards, Miller, W. M'Laod, J. Thomson 16, Harrison, Aitken, J. Adamson, Nisbet 11; Oliver, D. Thomson, Gilligan, Leith 22, Riach, Rolfe, Stables, Bennie 11. Totals: Taieri, 92; Balmacewen, 49. At the official opening of the Westport Bowling Club’s green for the season Seniorsergeant Ryan remarked in the course .of adcll T ; ss • —“Thirty years ago Captain lullocb (the retiring president) and myself, Tid not expect to be on the Westport jowling Club’s green to-day, but here wo ;re > .ready to take on all-comers.” The allusion wag to the Wairarapa, op which Captain Ikilloch was third officer and Senior-sergeant Ryan was in the stokehold department when the old vessel was.wreeked /he Great Barrier Island on October 28, 1884.

The members of the Otago Bowling Club held a most enjoyable progressive doubles tournament on Labour Day. Every rink Wj*s occupied, and many of the games were kearny contested. The lead’s prize was won by W. M'Donald and the skip> by D. nose, both players showing line form, the green itself was turned out_ by Graonkeeper Vvarren in excellent condition, and the general improvements effected places Otago 6 reeu amongst the best in the city. four rinks from Milton visited the Kaikorai Club on Monday last. The green played well, and although the high wind was against good bowling a very pleasant afternoon was spent by all. The game i ©suited in a win for the local club by 21 points, the final scores, beng (Kaikorai 07 r ■ n rS ' M ‘G re g°f 9, Ouff 27; Weir IMlicrap 18; Kaniin 25, Farrell 9; Marshall 28, Hollick 14. Totals: Kaikorai, S 3; Milton, 68. ’

TREATMENT OF GREENS. Sir, There is little doubt your oorrospondenfc JBrown Xop M and J must agree to diner respecting our views on the maintenance of the bowling green. I am quite awaie_ that phosphates, when used for nourishing suitable grasses will also assist clover growth, but not to the extent that lime will do. Phosphates, however, are a necessary to a green while’ lime is not Your correspondent agrees that Brown Top grass does not thrive in the presence of lime, but that Crested Dog’s Tail does. What, about Sheep’s fesque, Chewings, and Hard fesque? These three grasses are highly recommended for the bowling green and they have much the same habits of growth as Brown Top. “Brown Top’ ’ states that tlie formation 1 and phenomenal fertility of the land around Timaru does not require lime. Lime must have been doing some harm to the' Timaru greens when it was condemned. Regarding fertiJ ity, the bowling green on the Dunedin flats and on the Taieri Plain' are on the richest of lands, yet they take kindly to lime and clover. The fact of the matter is that much soil it not such an important factor on a green as is generally supposed. In the make up of a green a solid foundation is required on which a covering of loose stone is laid down. On the top of the stone successive layers of cinder, ash, and sand is placed. The green _is ’made level with sand and then a final’ covering of four or five inches of loose soil that rolls down info small compos. When a much extra quantity of soil is used the grequ seldom plays well and deep soil makes a good harbour for the production of worms that are not desirable on a green. In England much less soil is used. On the final layer consisting of sand, long strips of thin cut turf are placed diagonally over the green. The favourite turf for this purpose is the fibrous rooted Sheep Fesque taken from old grazing' lands. Manures.—The following appeared in the New Zealand Agricultural Journal; “Nitrogen stimulates or gives rapid growth at first, but prosphates develops the root system afid must be the principle factor in determining the value of fertilisers for top-dressing.” Finally, ground rook. phosphates is favourably commented on by authorities in England, America, and New Zealand with an annual rainfall of oOin or over and is good for sour lands. Superphosphates—Yater soluble, is the quickest in action of all phosphates. The principal insoluble phosphates are Nauru and bone dust. Apply in late autumn or winter. The quotations coincide entirely wiith my experiences. Many of the greens are now, I believe, top dressed with a mixture of bones and blood. This is a strong mixture containing nearly double the quantity of nitrogen that “Brown Top” condemned in my late autumn recommendation of Nauru and blood, or a single manure of bones. Thanking you for the .space you have allowed me on this subject, —I am. etc.. Observer. Dunedin, October 28.