JUNE

1933

VOLUME VII

NUMBER 6

The NATIONALGREENKEEPERand TU.RF CULTURE

Iron SulphateBy LUDWIG ERB, Greenkeeper

PhiliPsburg Coulltry Club, PbiliPsburg, Pa.

T be 0111y trade jour-

nal in the world de-

voted to the growing

of fine turf grasses.

Student, Advanced School for Greenkee pers, Massacbuselts State College

EDITOR'S NOTE: WE ARE SINCERELY INDEBTED TO MR.

ERB FOR HIS EXHAUSTIVE AND ACCURATE DISCUSSION ON THE

USE OF IRON SULPHATE IN ITS RELATION TO THE GROWTH AND

DEVELOPMENT OF FINE TURF. IT HAS BEEN THE UNIVERSAL

BELIEF THAT IRON SULPHATE WAS ONLY USEFUL IN THE

ERADICATION OF WEEDS. BUT MR. ERB HAS DELVED MORE

DEEPLY INTO THE SUBJECT AND HAS DISCOVERED THROUGH

SOURCES OF AUTHORITY THAT IRON IN THE SOIL IS NECESSARY

FOR HEALTHY PLANT GROWTH. WE WOULD APPRECIATE AND

BE GLAD TO PUBLISH COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS ON THIS

SUBJECT.

1RON sulphate (FeSO), also called copperas andgreen vitrol, is, as the chemical formula signifies, acombination of iron, sulphur, and oxygen. In sum-marizing the available material on the value of ironsulpha te in relation to the growth of golf coursegrasses, we find it being used in two general ways.

In America, iron sulpha te is used as an eradicatorof weeds. In England, iron sulphate is used not onlyas an eradicator of weeds, but also as a valuablefactor in the production of the fine golf coursegrasses.

IRON A VITAL ELEMENT TO THE GROWTH OF

GREEN PLANTS

IRON is an element of vital importance to thegrowth of green plants. A certain amount of ironseems necessary as one of the factors in the normaldevelopment of chlorophyll (leaf green), although

it is not regarded as a consti tuen t of the organicbodies which make up this substance. Lack of ironis one of the many conditions leading up to patho-logical chlorosis.

Chlorosis may be described as a disease of thechlorophyll, or the green parts of the plant. Cul-tural experiments have shown that a plant cannotdevelop normally in the absence of iron. Artificialchlorosis has been produced in plants living in a soilwhere iron has been excluded. While the seed maygerminate, and the young plant at first grownnormally, it later goes into a bad condition unlessiron is supplied.

It may be that the lack of iron effects the proto-plasmic structures in which the chlorophyll is de-posited, for the best evidences point to the use ofiron by every living cell, including those organismswhich contain neither the pigments nor allied com-pounds. The absence of green in plants deprivedof iron has given rise to the idea that iron takes partin the formation of the chlorophyll, but we are farfrom knowing what is the role of iron in the forma-tion of chlorophyll. It was once believed that ironentered into the composition of chlorophyll, butthis opinion is not entertained at this time.

We therefore conclude, that iron is a vital ele-ment to all green plants, that it may be said to bepresent in all green parts without being absent inthe other parts of the plant; that its absence is one

6 T be Natiol1al Greel1keeper and T url Culture June, 1933

of the many conditions leading up to pathologicalchlorosis.

An interesting observation by Bourcart, a Frenchscientist, is worthy of citing:uPlants that undergotheir classical treatment of Bordeaux Mixture, like-wis,e those which are treated with green vitrol (ironsulphate), acquired vitality which increases assimi-lation (starch-making function of the plant), andwhich enabled trees to preserve their leaves longerin the autumn than those untreated."

It has been found that the same dose of iron has adifferent effect on different types of plants. Plantsvery fond of water are much more sensitive to ironsulphate than plants not fond of water. Mosses forexample, feel the action of iron sulphate more thangrasses. It can then be said, that the injurious na-ture of an applica tion of iron sulphate dependsgreatly on the nature of the plant to which it isapplied. If certain doses of iron sulphate be exceed-ed, the iron is injurious to the plant, if given in stillgreater quantity it is mortal.

According to Bourcart, iron sulphate may be usedin many different ways. In cultivation it is spreadas crystals, or in solutions by watering carts; it mayalso be mixed wi th soil and broadcast by hand ormachine. To cure trees of chlorosis, the iron sul-phate may be sprayed on the plants or injected intothe trunks of trees. When used by injection the ac-tion is felt much quicker than when it is absorbedby the roots.

ERADICATION OF WEEDS WITH IRON SULPHATE

CJ:HE principal use of iron sulphate in Americatoday is to eradicate weeds in turf, particularlydandelions. Experiments have been conducted bymany of the State Experimental stations in the useof iron sulphate as a weed spray, and they have met'with success with certain weeds.

In New York Experimental station bulletin, No.466, by M. T. Munn, explains the general methodused in the United States to eradicate dandelionsfrom turf. Summarizing the literature on the ex-periment: «Dandelions can be eliminated fromlawns by the use of iron sulphate sprays at very littlecost and without material injury to the grass. Fouror five sprayings of the iron sulphate solutions aregenerally required to obtain the desired results. Thefirst spraying should be made just before the bloom-ing period in May, when the plant is pushing out itsbuds; the other sprays should follow at intervals of

three or four weeks. Spraying should be discon-tinued in the hot dry weather of the summer. Thespraying can be renewed in the late summer andfall. While a conspicious blackening of the turfwill appear following the application of the spray,it will soon disappear."

The spray solution is prepared by dissolving oneand one-half pounds to two pounds of iron sulphatein each gallon of water. According to the New YorkExperimental station, the weaker solution appearsto be entirely satisfactory, and probably the one tobe preferred. When the solution is used at thisstrength, the quantity of iron sulphate required forone application is four pounds per 1,000 sq. ft., orapproximately 175 pounds per acre. A gallon of

,solution will cover 375 sq. ft. of lawn.The degree of effectiveness of the spray on the

dandelions has been found to depend to a great ex-tent upon the manner to which it is applied. Thebest results are secured when the solution is drivenin the form of a mist-like spray down among thefoliage. While fairly satisfactory results may beexpected when the solution is applied with acommon sprinkling can, it is recommended thatsome sort of a spray pump be used. If a poor qual-ity of iron sulphate is being used, it should bestrained through a fine strainer or two thicknessesof cheese cloth to remove any particles that wouldclog up the nozzles of the sprayers.

According to the Massachusetts Experimentalstation leaflet, No. 78, by O. L. Clark: uGrain fieldsinfested with wild mustard, wild radish, small rag-weed, pepper grass, pigweed, shepherd's purse, etc.,may be freed from weeds to a large extent by the useof a 20 % solution of iron sulphate (100 pounds ofiron sulphate to 50 gallons of water). Great careshould be used to secure a spraying outfit and nozzlewhich is adapted to applying the solution in a finemist. The last cannot be emphasized too stronglybecause the whole value of the spray lies in its powerto reach every part of the leaves, since it is the partof the plant above ground that is killed and not theroots directly.

If the solution is sprayed on in coarse drops it rollsoff the plant with little or no effect. Perennial andbiennial weeds are much more difficult to controlthan annuals because of their underground storageorgans which are not killed by the spray. It is wellto wait until the plants are just beginning to showbuds before spraying, for at this time, all the seeds

June, 1933 The -N atiol1al Greenkee per and T urrCitlt1ire: 7

in the ground will have germinated. It is also ofspecial importance to spray on a clear day, and tospray at a time when fair weather is predicted for a-day or two following, since the value of this treat-men t ismuch reduced if succeeded in a short time bya shower. It is customary to use 50 gallons of 20%solution of iron sulphate per acre."

IRON SULPHATE KILLS CHICKWEED

IRON sulphate has also been found by the Mas-sachusetts Experimental station to kill chickweedand purslane after repeated sprayings. Heal-all,gill-over-the-ground, broad and narrow leavedplantain, have either been killed or badly injured bythe spray. The iron sulphate will not kill crab grassand other weed grasses. It must also be rememberedthat it is injurious to white clover. Moss in lawns isoften satisfactorily eradicated with a 15 % solutionof iron sulphate at the rate of 50 gallons per acre.

It should be noted here that iron sulphate pro-duces a conspicious yellowish-brown-rust stain oncement, stone, woodwork, and cloth which is diffi-cult to remove. It should also be remembered, thatall metal containers used in mixing and applying ofiron sulphate solutions should be thoroughly washedout to prevent corroding.

The New York and Massachusetts Experimentalstation recommend the supplementing of the spray-ing operation with fertilizing and seeding of thebare spots recently vacated by the weeds.

USE OF IRON SULPHATE IN ENGLAND

qHE following part of this paper is devoted to theuse of iron sulphate in relation to the mainte-nance of golf turf in England. The following in-formation has been obtained from the Journal ofGreenkeeping Research, issued by the British GolfUnion. The British Golf Union maintains the St.Ives Research station, at Bingley, Yorkshire, underthe direction of R. B. Dawson.

Concerning the use of iron sulphate on golf turfin England, Mr. T. W. Evans of the St. Ives stationstates: HThe beneficial effects observed from an ap-plication of iron is difficult to explain. The part thatiron plays in plant metabolism is vague. Thus itpromotes the production of chlorophyll (the greenpigments of plants) , in grasses and yet is not a con-stituent of that complex compound. From numer-ous plots at the Research station, however, it can beseen that the addition of iron sulphate to sulphate of

ammonia induces an acid reaction in the soil; leadsto a quicker reduction of weeds; and at the sametime imparts a beautiful dark green color to theturf, thus counteracting the chlorotic conditionwhich is often observed when sulphate of ammoniais used alone."

Mr. Evans continues: HThe addition of sulphateof iron has also been shown to encourage fine leavedSheep's fescue in mixed sward (turf), and it is in-teresting to compare this with the practice ofheavily sanding greens with the object of encourag-ing finer grasses. As previously stated, sandingbuilds up an infertile top layer while sulphate ofiron reduces the fertility of the existing top-spit bytending to make the plant nutrients less available."

In partial explanation of the sanding of greens,mentioned by Mr. Evans, in the above paragraph:It has been found in England that the fine turfgrasses, bents and fescues, often grow in infertileacid soil composed of large amounts of sand. Theymaintain that on many of their best seaside courses,the top four inches of the greens are composed al-most entirely of sand and are therefore infertile.The Journal states that this is not a new idea, butsimply a tentative suggestion to explain what haslong been known to old experienced greenkeepers,that Hsand fines down the grass." The Journalstates: HGood greens however, cannot be producedsimply by sanding, since its action is merely me-chanical, and also serves to build up an infertile top-spit suitable to the growth of the finer turf grasses.Having established the finer grasses, they mustregularly be supplied with quickly available nitro-genous fertilizers such as sulphate of ammonia, etc."

ECONOMY IN CUTTING NECESSARY

qHIS leads us to another peculiar aspect of Britishgreenkeeping which is intimately related to ironsulphate. The St. Ives station is conducting experi-ments in fertilization and top-dressing to find amethod by which a better sward can be producedwithout resulting in consequent oftener cuttings.To quote Mr. Dawson: HVery few clubs will denythat the best top-dressing for a green is sulphate ofammonia mixed in an adequate compost, but thissystem is regarded by disfavor in some clubs _be-cause of the extra growth, which results in extracutting. In view of the facts obtained in this pre-liminary investigation however, it seems possiblethat the top-dressing with sulphate of ammonia and

8 The Natiollal Greenkeeper and Turf Culture JUlle,1933

sulphate of iron not only results in a good sward,but also a decrease in productivity. The importanceof this cannot be too strongly emphasized sincefrequent cutting is costly."

The St. Ives station has conducted a very inter-esting experiment in the eradication of weeds on oldturf. For purpose of the experiment an old weedylawn adjoining the station was used. An area 18square yards was marked off and then divided intothree equal plots. The only grass on these plots wasA. Tenius (Colonial Bent). The following weedswere present:

Creeping Buttercup\XThite CloverDaisyMouse-eared ChickweedMoss (2 species)PearlwortRibwort plantain (lanced-leafed plantain)Self -heal (prunella vulgaris)Sheeps sorrel (sour grass)Yarrow

The treatments were as follows:

Plot No. 1. Check.

Plot No.2. Sulphate of ammonia and sulphateof iron mixed with one-half ton of soil. Mix-ture: 150 pounds of sulphate of ammoniaper acre, 50 pounds iron sulphate per acre

Plot No.3. Lime applied one-half ton per acre.

Each plot was treated four times in 1929:First application, Aug. 8, 1929.Second application, Aug. 20, 1929.Third application, Sept. 2, 1929.Fourth application, Sept. 21,1929.

The applications were broadcast by hand and noparticular precautions taken as to weather condi-tions. According to the article, eradication ofweeds by this method is usually more effective ifthe applications are made during dry weather. Inthe case of this experiment however, rain followedthe second and fourth applications. No scorchingoccurred at the above rates of application.

RESULTS OF THE ENGLISH EXPERIMENT

CJ"'HE results of the experiment in 1929 were asfollows: On the sulphate of ammonia-sulphate ofiron plot No.2, the eradication of weeds was com-plete with the exception of creeping buttercup.

The plants of that weed were small and damaged.Self-heal (prunella vulgaris) they found in parti-cular to be very susceptible to the mixture of sul-pha te of ammonia and sulphate of iron. On plotNo.3, the lime reacted very favorably for thegrowth of weeds, especially self-heal. The percent-age of moss was not decreased by the lime.

During 1930 none of the plots were treated. PlotNo.2, the sulphate of ammonia-sulphate of ironplot, still remained free from weeds with the excep-tion of creeping buttercup, and a few plants ofsheeps sorrel that had reappeared. The limed plotwas covered with a dense, vigorous mat of weeds,eyen to a greater extend than the control.

According to other experiments and advisorywork completed by the St. Ives station, it was foundthat in addition to the above weeds mentioned, birdstrefoil, red clover, yellow suckling clover, and fieldspeed well may be destroyed in a similar manner.Dandelions and cats ear, while more resistant can beeradicated. Creeping butttercup, mouse-earedchickweed, yarrow and pearl wort have to be placedusually in the resistant class. The St. Ives station alsofound that iron sulphate applied in excess quantitiesmay cause considerable burning. This effect how-ever, is generally only temporary.

SUMMARY OF MATERIAL COVERED IN THIS PAPER

IN SUMMARIZING the material on iron sulphatecovered by this paper we find the following:

I-Iron sulphate may be used as a source ofiron for plants.

2-Iron sulphate may be used as a cure ofChlorosis in plants.

3-Iron sulphate will control moss and manykinds of weeds in America.

4-In England the addition of iron sulphate togreens has been found to make the topsoilless fertile and to encourage the growth offine grasses.

5-The addition of iron sulphate to sulphate ofammonia has in England been found to in-duce an acid reaction in the soil; lead to aquicker reduction of weeds; and at thesame time impart a deep green color to theturf, thus counteracting the chlorotic con-

(Col/cluded 011 page 20)

20 T be N atiollal Greenkeeper and Turf Culture June, 1933

Top Dressing

Hyper-Humus CompanyThe Ohio Humus CompanyAtkins and Durbrow, Inc.

MarketBuyers'

Place andGuide---

Turf FertilizersArmour Fertilizer Works

Underground Hose LockerMcClain Brothers Company

UreaSynthetic Nitrogen Products Corp.

tained under cultural conditions that dif-fer in many respects from those of theUnited States. It would be interesting toobserve the results of similar experimentsconducted under our cultural conditions.

I EMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT I

Tractors

E. G. Staude Mak-A-Tractor Co.Toro Manufacturing CompanyWorthington Mower Co.International Harvester Co. of AmericaIdeal Power Lawn Mower Co.Roseman Tractor Mower Co.R. S. HornerGravely Mower & Cultivator Co.

Tractor Wheels and SpudsR. S. Horner

GREEN KEEPER WANTED1 have a position open for an all-

around man, experienced in upkeep ofan 18-hole sand green course. Must beA-I with mowing equipment and ma-chinery. Only one who takes interest inhis work and sees that the job is done willbe considered. Address all inquiries toBox 10, The National Greenkeeper andTurf Culture, Caxton Building, Cleve-land, Ohio.

POSITIONS WANTEDExperienced greenkeeper with splen-

did references desires position in theChicago district. Understands thorough-ly soil and climatic conditions. Goodman for any club. Address inquiries toBox A, The National Greenkeeper andTurf Culture, Caxton Bldg., Cleveland,Ohio.

Nationally-known greenkeeper withmany years' experience in the construc-tion and maintenance of several well-known golf courses, such as Oakmont inPittsburgh and Plum Hollow in Detroit.Has a son who will act as assistant and isan expert mechanic. This combinationshould appeal to any golf organizationdesiring efficient and economical man-agement. The best of references will befurnished upon request. Address inquir-ies to Box B, The National Greenkeeperand Turf Culture, Caxton Bldg., Cleve-land, Ohio.

will keep new-cut Greens free of anthills and worms and not injure turf.

Trial order to make fifty gallons.

$7.00 delivered or buyIt of your dealer

Satisfaction or Money Refunded

The Royal Products Co.214-216 S. CbarJ_ Street

BALTIMORE • MARYLAND, U.S. A.

Water PipeMcWane Cast Iron Pipe Co.

Wood CharcoalWood Charcoal Research Bureau

Worm EradicatorsPeter Henderson & Co.C. B. Dolge CompanyReade Mfg. Company

Greenkeeper with best of recommen-dations and thorough experience inmaintenance and construction. Refer-ences furnished upon request. Addressinquiries to Box D, The National Green-keeper and Turf Culture, Caxton Bldg.,Cleveland, Ohio.

Pro-greenkeeper with many years' ex-perience, seeks position as professional,pro-greenkeeper or greenkeeper. Grand-nephew of the late "Old" Tom Morris ofSt. Andrews, Scotland. References, JohnBall, eight times British Amateur cham-pion, and Jimmie Johnson, ex-AmericanAmateur champion. Previous connec-tions, Town and Country Club, SaintPaul; Midlothian C. C., Chicago; Louis-ville C. C.; Country Club of Harrisburg,Pa. Address Tom Morris, 1548 E. 64thStreet, Chicago, Illinois.

Park and Cemetery Turf(Col1cll1ded from page 10)

all times, and located on soil that will notcrumble away when the sod is lifted.

If a wild grass that makes good turfcreeps into the lots, tame it and encour-age it to grow. Turf is what is wantedand not a particular species of grass.Rhode Island bent and many bent speciesvery often volunteer in turf. The use ofacid-reacting fertilizers is much morelikely to encourage desirable nativegrasses to grow than fertilizers that givean alkaline reaction.

Iron Sulphate(Col1cll1ded from page 8)

dition which is often observed (in En-gland) when sulphate of ammonia is usedalone.

In conclusion, it should be remembered,that the results obtained in England fromthe use of iron sulphate, have been ob-

Draining Polo FieldsBy G. D. JONES, Agricultural Engineer

IN THE management of polo fields, golfcourses, estates, cemeteries and aviationfields, unusual drainage problems of morethan ordinary difficulty are frequentlyencountered. A typical case was that ofthe Hunting Valley polo field, locatedjust outside of Cleveland, Ohio, in theChagrin Valley.

This field had been under-drained withtile at the time it was made. Due, how-ever, to constant rolling and hard usefrom regular play, the ground had becomeso compacted that surface water was un-able to get through to the tile, and thelatter, therefore, had lost its efficiency inmaintaining good drainage. As a result,much loss from winter killing was ex-perienced and the field was frequently un-playable at the time games were sched-uled.

The problem was obviously the adop-tion of some method which would breakthrough the top soil without injuring theturf or the playing qualities of the field,and at the same time would permit thesurface water to drain through to the tile,where it could be carried away. The agri-cultural engineering department of theCleveland Tractor company was consult-ed and a treatment recommended withresults that have been unusually satisfac-tory.

In the fall of 1932 a Cletrac Model 25crawler tractor was used to pull a No. 20Killifer chisel over this field to a depth ofapproximately 20 inches. A specialsweep-shaped tool was used at the bot-tom of the chisel to increase the fractureof the compacted soil at the bottom ofthe chisel cut. The cuts were run acrossthe field at intervals of approximately 30inches at right angles to the direction inwhich the tiles were laid. This treatmentloosened the compacted top soil and per-mitted the easy passage of water to thelower levels, where it was carried awayby the tile. No injury to the turf was ex-perienced.

The effectiveness of the job was wellillustrated one morning early in March,1933. After a very heavy rain on thisparticular morning, all the fields in the