Vol. 15—1961 - NorthEastern Weed Science Society

455.
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In 19~, the advent of MH-30 influenced the Department to
further research in an effort to sahotage the rising mowing costs.
Approximately 75 acres embracing all types of grassed terrain
were treated in the Springfield area~ In addition, throughout
the State, eight miles of median strips, roadsides, and a large
bowl area received applications of the solution. This large
scale experiment has indicated that the correct application will
produce the desired results.
MH-30 will receive a stern test in Massachusetts, since our
contract mowing costs per acre are low, while our standards are
high. If MH-30 can reduce the costs per acre even further and
still maintain our well-groomed grassed areas, it will prove that
"chemical mowing" is here to stay.
Research in recent years indicates that this material
(properly applied) will insure a uniform growth of grass (5" to
7 tt ) that will require only a minimum number of cuts per season.
It is not necessary to have a "golf coursen appearance to our
grassed areas.
In the spring of 19~1, .Massachusetts plans to treat three
(3) of its contract mowing areas in their entirety with MH-30.
These three projects total abcut 65 miles.
Route #9 - Brookline to Worcester (2 contracts)
Route #128 - From Route #9, Wellesley to Route #1,
Westw~od (1 contract).
The Special Provisions for the above mowing contracts for
these areas will call for a reduced numb~r of lawn typemowings
from eleven (11) to four (4) and those of the roadside hay cuts
from five (5) to tw(') (2).
In the fall of 1961 we also plan to apply this solutiQn,to
other grassed areas. In the spring of 1962, it is e~pected that
the number of mowing cuts ordinarily reqUired in these areas
will be reduced exactly as described above.
The fall application is heing considered for two reasons:
(1) the amount of rainfall during these months is generally
less than any other potential spraying period of the year.
(2) the MH-30 will be applied just prior to the time when
the grass becomes dormant, and therefore will be present to
inhibit before the grass begins to grow in the spring.