VI 

 FERTILIZERS 



J^^^^^ROM the foregoing it will be understood that 

 ^ i9|, thorough enrichment of the seed bed is es- 



jOf fj^ ^ sential in building the course. On the estab- 

 2s J^ ^ lished course, the agricultural methods of 



^ . ra*" fertilization, tillage, crop rotation, and the 



^'^'^'^^ plowing under of humous material are im- 

 possible. Thus, surface dressings must be resorted to, for 

 supplying the necessary plant food. 



CONTINUOUS FERTILIZATION 



Z-'HE practical problem of a club is often that of making 

 the best of a poorly prepared course, and, no matter 

 how thorough the preparation, continuous enrichment of 

 the soil is essential. Consumption of food-elements goes on 

 with the growth of the plant and unless nourishment is sup- 

 plied by top dressing, impoverishment of the soil eventu- 

 ally results. 



The inevitable leaching which takes place and the "lock- 

 ing up" of plant-food elements in plant tissues decreases 

 the total amount of such elements available for growth. 

 Nitrogen especially is likely to diminish by this process, and 

 since this element more than any other, is responsible for 

 an active growth of the grass, provision must be made for its 

 application, either in ma- 

 nures, composts or com- I ' ' II 

 mercial fertilizers. Grass ti^^^B % f^lt 

 must be fed. "" " 



A fairly good turf may 

 often be brought to excel- 



C31I 



