1938-39

596
RECRrATION. GROUNDS
ERADICATION OF CLOVER
Many fine pieces
of
turf are spoiled by the presence of a large
percentage of clover plants. Clover in Cricket Tables, Tennis Courts,
etc., is particularly objectionable, because the foliage, being soft,
pulps underfoot and becomes extremely slippery.
Eradication of clover is always a difficult matter, owing to the
nature of its roots.
The following method should produce beneficial results, if not
permanent and lasting :
Apply lawn sand by sprinkling evenly over the affected areas at
the rate of 3 to 4 ozs. per square yard in dry weather. It is
advantageous to close scythe the clover and also to slash the roots
repeatedly with a knife before applying the lawn sand.
The application should be repeated at intervals of a few weeks
as required. The grass will become brown, but will recover and
grow more vigorously.
Lawn sand may be prepared as follows : 3 cwts. neutral sulphate
of ammonia, i cwt. calcined sulphate of iron, i ton of sharp clean
sand. These should be thoroughly mixed and stored in a dry place.
WET AREAS ON RECREATION GROUNDS
One sometimes finds, where a system of sub-soil drains is not
necessary, that there are patches that become waterlogged.
This, of course, is most likely to occur during the winter months,
when there is an excessive rainfall.
The reason is usually due to a fault in the strata at this particular
section, necessitating some form of drainage.
Isolated patches can be successfully treated if clinker or rough
ash drains are cut at io ft. centres to easy gradients. The tracks
should be about
18
ins. deep and 9 ins. wide, filled up with coarse
clinker, or ash thoroughly consolidated, to within 9 ins. of the
top, and covered with top soil, the mechanical porosity of which
has been improved by incorporating fine ashes.
These drain tracks should discharge into a sump, the top of
which should be about i ft. underneath the surface level. The
size of these sumps must naturally vary according to the area to
be dealt with-3 or 4 ft. square is usually ample—the sump filled
up with coarse clinker or any other suitable material, thoroughly
beaten down to prevent sinking, and a foot of suitable top soil being
added before turf is relaid.
SHEEP GRAZING ON RECREATION GROUNDS
Recreation Grounds are, sometimes grazed with sheep for the
sake of economy. Sheep undoubtedly effect a saving in keeping
the growth of the grass down. They add to the fertility of the
soil only if cake-fed. They invariably do considerable damage,
and you will probably find that the balance is on the wrong side,
especially on Golf Courses, where they do so much damage to the
greens and bunkers.