1939-40

RECREATION GROUNDS 671
THE GROUNDSMAN'S CALENDAR
AUTUMN
Cricket Tables must be thoroughly weeded, damaged areas
repaired by re-turfing, and the whole area thoroughly pricked over
and raked. Fertiliser should be given, mixed with sufficient matured
compost to ensure easy distribution. When this has worked in, a
light dressing of Nottingham snarl can with advantage be given, but
is best applied mixed with soil.
Bowling Greens and Tennis Courts also require weeding, raking,
piercing and dressing.
Bowling Greens should be dressed with fertilisers according to
the constitution, but a carrier of sandy soil or sand only is an ad-
vantage. Autumn sanding at 6 to 8 lbs. per sq. yd. is an advantage,
while on wet greens
4
to 6 ozs, of charcoal (1
6
mesh) may be given
prior to the sanding.
Tennis courts should be dressed with a suitable fertiliser, mixed
with well-matured soil compost.
Highly-cultivated turf on putting greens or bowling greens is
apt to develop Fusarium disease in Autumn. After diagnosis has
been confirmed, spraying with a fungicide is advisable.
Football, Rugby and Hockey Pitches which have been fortunate
enough to have been rested during the summer will now have to
be got ready by closer cutting and then given a good roll. Harrowing
before the first cut for the season's play will be beneficial.
Remember, football and other winter games do not require the
grass to be closely shaved. Also, try to avoid rolling wherever
possible when the soil is very wet.
Patching and renovation of Bowling Greens and Tennis Courts
by turfing or seeding should be completed at the earliest possible
moment. Care should be taken to keep these renovated areas as
well aerated as possible, and keep the roller as much as possible off
them.
Hard Tennis Courts of the rubble type should be thoroughly
overhauled by piercing, bagging, top dressing and rolling so that
the surface is in the finest possible condition for the winter season
when play on Grass Courts will be impossible.
WINTER
During the winter months no attempt should be made to force
growth by the application of highly concentrated chemical fertilisers.
The only exception is where any re-turfing is being done, when a
light application, especially during a mild spell of weather, may help
the growth.
Rollers and mowers should be used as little as possible during
this period, and opportunity may be taken at this time to
examiw�