1938-39

RECREATION GROUNDS
595
once allowed to get dry, it is difficult to soak it thoroughly and
evenly. Weather conditions should be studied, particularly in the
spring ; care must be taken to avoid the disastrous results of late
frost at this period of the year on recently-watered turf.
Watering operations should never be done when the sun is out,
but in the early morning or late evening, when there is little loss
through evaporation, and the turf is not liable to be affected by
drop of temperature.
Do not water to a time-table but only when the grass shows
definite signs of wilting through lack of water. Too much watering
encourages shallow rooting. A good soaking say once a week when
conditions demand is much more effective than a daily sprinkling.
TURF NURSERY
All Recreation Grounds should have a Turf Nursery, which should
be carefully worked up and attended to, similar to the most important
sections of the ground, to ensure that the turf is in a healthy and
vigorous condition.
Care should be taken that there are no trees overhanging.
Having turf available for patching Tennis Courts, footholds in
Cricket Wickets, and Goalmouths is invaluable. To attempt to
repair these areas by sowing will only produce unsatisfactory
results, as the seed never becomes sufficiently established to stand
up to excessive wear and tear.
Where no available or suitable space exists for a nursery, and
good, well-established turf cannot be bought, patching is best done
with turf taken from the outskirts of the ground ; this should be
systematically worked up before being lifted, and replaced either
with seed or turf.
DESTRUCTION OF MOLES
Much damage and inconvenience is caused through moles work-
ing in various parts of a Recreation Ground. There are a number
of methods employed in their destruction, such as killing with
poisons deposited in their runs and pumping gases• into same.
These two methods call for skilled knowledge, which is not
always available, and much the simplest way is the use of mole-
traps. The placing of a trap by anyone who is not familiar with
the habits of the mole may only lead to repeated failure. In most
districts there are professional trappers, who, for a nominal sum,
will carry out the necessary work.
MOSS ON GROUNDS
The appearance of moss on Recreation Grounds which are par-
ticularly subject to excessive wear and tear is not always an indication
that drainage is at fault. It
will
probably be found that this particular
section of the ground is
in
a " hide-bound " condition, and piercing
with a straight-pronged graip or fork will greatly assist. However,
the root of the trouble is more likely to be that the soil is out of
condition and generally caused by poverty; compost dressings or
the application of artificial fertilisers will generally overcome this
difficulty.