JOTTINGS FROM THE GOLF COURSE JOURNAL

Jerome and LydiaCase built this large home on Main Street in Racine. It is privately owned today and divided into apartments. In 1904 Case built a new headquarters from a design similar to the Boston Public Library. Jerome traveled from New York grain and chaff/straw with a fan. on the - Erie, Huron He wanted to design a machine and Michigan - with six ground that would do the entire task of The elder Case bought one of hog threshing machines. His plan threshing and separating in one the machines and Jerome spent was to sell five of them to pay his operation. six years custom threshing grain way and use the sixth to support The carpenter he roomed with for farmers in that part of New himself by custom threshing for at the tavern rented Jerome a York, as well as giving demonstra- farmers on the way to his destina- workbench in his shop. Jerome tions and selling ground hogs to tion of Rochester, Wisconsin. had lucked out by moving to other farmers. Case knew the History has it that Case was Wisconsin in the year of its first machine well and was able to unimpressed by . He great wheat harvest. Luck was also adjust and repair them with con- bought a team of horses and a with him because for the three siderable skill. Clearly, he had con- wagon there, loaded the ground years before his arrival Rochester siderable mechanical ability. hogs and headed north. Things was the home of Richard Ela, a Jerome must have seen, during went according to his plan; Jerome manufacturer of fanning mills. He those six years, the tremendous sold five ground hogs in the eighty was making a hundred a year when amount of exportable corn and miles from Chicago to Rochester. Case arrived. The fanning mills wheat traveling the Great Lakes The profits and his custom work were used to winnow the grain from the Midwest to the Erie Canal left him with a tidy profit to get from the straw and chaff with and foreign markets. No doubt he through that first winter in Racine forced air. read about the opportunities for County. He rented a room at a pio- Case approached Ela, and Ela farming in the Midwest, including neer tavern in Rochester and encouraged him to develop his the Wisconsin Territory. It seemed became acquainted with a car- idea of one machine to process the place for an experienced penter who also rented a room grain. All that winter, spring and thresherman. Case made the deci- there. summer Case worked on a sion to head west, but first enrolled Although the ground hog saved threshing machine, and he was in the Rensselaer Academy twenty backbreaking mundane labor, it frustrated by many problems. By miles west of his home and took a nevertheless dropped the grain, the spring of 1844, he had built a course (about six months) in engi- chaff and straw into one pile at the machine he felt would thresh grain neering. Late in his life, Case end of the machine. Case thought the way he wanted. The first trial reflected on how important those of improvements that would set in a barn in Rochester was suc- months of education were for him. thresh and winnow - separate the cessful. He was invited to a farm

THE GRASS ROOTS MAY/JUNE 2002 JOTTINGS FROM THE GOLF COURSE JOURNAL

Case IH was at the GCSAA Conference this year. Their booth included I spent some time answering questions of their staff. It seemed to me this golf course size tractor/loader/backhoe and a skid steer. they are contemplating building some turf equipment. My suggestion was a line of large area rotaries.

A display across the / street from the .;: stately 1904 head- . quarters is this dis- play of tractors that speaks to today - New Holland, 1976 Case AgriKing and Case IH. CNH Global :~~~~~!~~~~nowowns Case.

In 1976 Case manufactured a 1570 AgriKing loaded his tools and headed to the selves - but rather trying to collect to note America's bicentennial. Root River in Racine. He was able money owed him! to rent a small shop on the river- From the first, one thing Case less than two miles from Rochester bank and was in business. He did was back his machine's quality. and on a windy May day, powered worked from there for three years, Frequently he went to the by a two-horse tread, J. 1. Case's filling local orders for threshers. unhappy farmer himself to fix a threshing machine really worked. In 1847, J. 1. Case built a three balky thresher. He would not put The grain came out a spout ready story brick building was 80' by 30'. up with what he called "murdering to be bagged, and the straw was Although it was also on the Root the reputation of a Case machine." blown into a pile. River, he also installed a steam My reading tells me that although All that summer Jerome worked boiler engine for power so that he Jerome likely wasn't a warm and to make the grain even cleaner, wasn't dependent on water levels gracious fellow - many said he was and in the fall he threshed much of for power. He added employees gruff and abrupt - he was as the crop in western Racine and by 1848 he was Racine's absolutely honest as a man could County. Farmers asked him to largest industry. be and had enormous pride in any- build them similar machines and Jerome married Lydia Ann Bull thing that carried his name. he knew he would rather build the in 1847 and for at least two years I wrote about my favorite J. 1. machines than operate them as a after that the frugal Case traveled Case story a number of years ago custom thresherman. by stage, boat or on foot, not yet in The Grass Roots. Here it is Case needed a shop and water able to afford his own horse and again. power if he was going to build carriage! He traveled Wisconsin A farmer near Faribault, threshing machines. The water and most of the Midwest in those Minnesota was anticipating an rights on the Fox River in early years not selling machines - excellent harvest of wheat in the Rochester were tied up, so Case they were so good they sold them- early autumn of 1884. The reaper

THE GRASS ROOTS MAY/JUNE 2002 JOTTINGS FROM THE GOLF COURSE JOURNAL

~ Jerome Increase Case Mausoleum, located in Racine's Mound Cemetary

J. I. Case's brother-in-law and business neighborhoods around there like many farm implements and steam partner, Stephen Bull, is also pillowed in the Mound Cemetery. Other family members wild fire. Case arrived at the farm engines. He invested in Great rest there as well. to a considerable crowd of farmers Lakes cargo ships, was involved who wanted to see the great man. with banking and real estate, had done a good job, the bundles Case was 65 years old at that ranches and cattle operations, and had ripened in the shocks and all time, white beard and white hair, was successful as a horse breeder. appeared ready for a successful ruddy face and coal black eye- His trotter Jay Eye See was so suc- threshing. The only problem was brows. He stood tall and peered at cessful and well known in America the threshing machine itself. It was the machine with his name on it that Currier and Ives painted it. belted to a big traction steam with steel blue eyes. Jerome Case died in 1891 when engine, which was working well. Case removed his coat and hat, he was 73 years old. This past fall But the new J. 1. Case threshing rolled up his sleeves and went to I attended, as I always do, the machine was not. The grain wasn't work. An hour passed and he order Rock River Thresheree. Case coming out clean, and it was using the thresher started. He pitched equipment was featured and it way too much steam power. bundles into it himself; it didn't gave those of us there the chance The farmer had called the work right. to see one each of most of the dealer. The dealer had come out to He worked another four hours, early agricultural implements the farm, made adjustments, but straight through, starting and Case manufactured. couldn't get it to work like it stopping the threshing machine There have been formidable should. many times. It still didn't work. changes in the company since J. 1. So the dealer telegraphed the J. He turned to the farmer. "Have Case passed away. But Case to this I Case office in Racine and they you," he asked, "a sizeable can of day still produces some of the best sent their best field mechanic out kerosene handy?" tractors and equipment in the to the farm. He had no luck either The farmer returned with the world, still in Racine. despite considerable swearing. H~ kerosene, which Jerome used to Books have been written about telegraphed the home office and douse the machine from one end the history of Case and make for recommended replacing the to the other. Then he struck a fascinating reading. From the story machine with a new one or match and lit the threshing of how Wisconsin'sOldAbe became refunding the farmer his money. machine on fire. Legend has it the the company trademark to the suc- The reply came back from fire could be seen for miles and cess of those many lines of equip- Racine: AM TAKING NEXT Case stayed until it burned to the ment, the story continues today. TRAIN.MEET ME FARIBAULT.J. ground. The farmer received a new Andif you are MikeHandrich,you 1. CASE. The man himself was machine. merely have to sit back and listen, heading west. During his lifetime Jerome saw spellbound,to Mr. Campbell.* News traveled through the his company design and build

THE GRASS ROOTS MAY/JUNE 2002 \oj

I GREEN SECTION

The Shape of Things to Come By Bob Vavrek USGA Agronomistn North-Central Region

ho knows what the 2002 season will bring? In gen- from adults feeding on ornamentals and trees along W eral, the North-Central Region has experienced with grub damage to turf has been seen on courses exceptionally mild winter weather. The threat of win- around Lake Geneva, in the Madison area, in Eau terkill or severe snow mold injury has certainly not been Claire, and even as far north as Minneapolis, Minnesota. keeping most superintendents up at night. However, the It's only a matter of time before beetles inhabit and recent blast of snow and arctic air mayor may not be a cause damage to courses between these sites. cause for concern depending on how much insulating Keep in mind that commercially available Japanese snow cover arrived prior to the frigid temperatures. True beetle traps, such as Bag-a-Bug, are an excellent tool to to form, the potential for winter injury always seems to monitor the presence of Japanese beetles, but they are peak just prior to the opening of the golf season - a time not an effective method to control these pests. Time when the turf may have already broken winter dormancy. and again I have seen a picket line of traps placed along The followingare several turf management concerns I the perimeter of a golf course with the intent of will be monitoring closely this season during Turf catching the adults before they enter the property. At Advisory Service visits. best you will be protecting the neighboring golf course The spread of Japanese beetles across WISconsin from damage by attracting all of the nearby beetles to and into Minnesota your site. On the other hand, if you haven't had a beetle Damaging populations of beetles have already become problem in the past, a well placed trap on or near the well established in localized areas of Wisconsin. Damage course can help document the arrival of the pest and

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THE GRASS ROOTS MAY/JUNE 2002 BASF GREEN SECTION give you an advance warring to begin a routine scouting Bentgrass Dead Spot - Ophiosphaerella agrostis program on the course for grubs and adults. The third new disease that will likely be diagnosed in the Region soon is bentgrass dead spot. The pathogen has New Diseases I'll be on the lookout for several diseases that have been documented causing injury to relatively new sand based greens in the Chicago area. This fungus can affect caused a considerable amount of turf injury on numerous golf courses across the eastern part of the country over bermudagrass as well. Talk about a disease that will be difficultto diagnose in the past several years. the field. The symptoms are easily mistaken for dollar Crown rotting anthracnose - Colletotrichum spot lesions or unrepaired ball marks ... and there is no graminicola shortage of either onjust about every green in the Region. Foliar anthracnose, caused by the same pathogen, is So, if you think you have bentgrass dead spot on your 20 relatively easy to diagnose and control. The signs of the year oldbentIPoa greens, you probably have ball marks or disease on the foliage are black fruiting bodies called dollar spot. However, this is definitely a disease to watch acervuli that often have protruding spines (setae). The for on a new golf course. acervuli and setae are visible with the aid of a hand lens. More serious damage occurs when the pathogen Doingmore with less. On a [mal note, many course managers are being infects the roots and moves to the crowns of the plants. The base of the stem turns black, rots and the plant dies. asked to make do with minimal or no budget increases Controlling this form of the disease is difficult due to the this season and some courses have had their operating problem of getting the fungicide to the part of the plant budgets cut. I will be looking for helpful hints regarding where the damage is occurring. Once the crown area is how to tighten the belt and still provide golfers consis- tent playing conditions during TASvisits this season. In infected the plant will not recover; therefore, fungicide applications do little more than stop further turf loss. fact, this will be the topic of the Wisconsin Turf In the east, the severity of this disease has often been SYmposiumnext November. associated with intense putting surface management For example, the budget might be reduced in the practices such as ultra-low mowing heights, frequent area of fungicide applications for fairway turf. Youmay double-cutting, excessive rolling, etc. Entire greens have to squeeze every ounce of control from a few well- under such stress have been devastated by this disease. timed treatments. Consequently, using the right spray Furthermore it is very difficult to control when the nozzle and perhaps adjusting the spray volume to opti- fungus is found in the basal rotting stage. Under similar mize the effectiveness is necessary. Spray volume is aggressive management practices there is every reason especially important when attempts are made to control crown rot anthracnose. Up to 5 gallons of spray volume to believe that crown rotting anthracnose will become a per 1000 sq. ft. of turf is recommended to ensure that problem in the upper Midwest. the fungicide reaches the target. It will take longer to Bacterial wilt of Poa annua - Xanthomonas spray greens and tees, but in the long run save money campestris by optimizing the effectiveness of the fungicide. These If you're old enough to remember the damage caused are the kind of money saving tips that will be shared by bacterial wilt to Toronto creeping bentgrass greens during TASvisits, web site updates, and at various pre- during the early 80's then you are already familiar with sentations I make throughout the season.* the type of injury bacterial wilt can inflict on Poa annua greens under the right conditions. It's the same species of bacteria, but now it has been documented on a number of courses that the pathogen is causing injury to Poa annua on greens. The symptoms can be similar to anthracnose and the presence of bacterial wilt needs to be confirmed by a pathologist. The mechanical damage caused by frequent top- dressing or aggressive mowing operations such as double cutting, grooming etc. will wound the plant and it is believed that the wounds create the entry points for the 122 North 2nd Street • River Falls, WI 54022 bacteria. Similarto crown rot anthracnose the greens that 715-425-9511 • e-mail: [email protected] are under stress from intense management practices, usu- visit our website www.gillmiller.com allyemployed to increase green speed, are the greens that Design • Renovation thin out from bacterial wilt. The take home message: we Master Planning • Practice Centers are pushing putting surface turf over the edge when Member: American Society of Golf Course Architects strivingfor unreasonable green speeds for day-to-day play.

THE GRASS ROOTS MAY/JUNE 2002 ~ Is Just Part of Your Job

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I THE EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK

The Wisconsin Seasons Merge By Monroe S. Miller, Golf Course Superintendent, Blackhawk Country Club

inter and spring, for a period But by now, we are close. After a • W in March, seemed to have few outings and member events we She's headed for fame and glory reversed themselves. It happened will be face to face with the summer and riches! Jackie Zurawski has again in mid-April, only spring and solstice and the days will actually joined an elite group as a published summer traded places at times. begin to shorten. Nature is forever book author. Titled "The Many parts of the state experienced on the move, the changes day by Adventures of Lily and Daisy," mid-80s to over 90 degrees F. With day are endless and we are con- Jackie's story can be found in the the ample soil moisture many of us stantly reminded that there is no Fisher Price Ready Readers Stage had, plant life exploded. Suddenly, end to the cycle of seasons. Maybe Two book. the greens were slow, the roughs that is why so many of us have Jackie, whose husband Pat is the were long, and yardage markers on enjoyed this profession for so long. golf course superintendent at irrigation heads in fairways were Graphics from the Wisconsin Ag Camelot Country Club in Lomira, difficult to find. But the storms Stats Service and the U.S. National submitted a number of stories to rolled through and the tempera- Climatic Data Center are here for editors over the years before being tures dropped 45 degrees F and we your information and records. selected by Fisher Price. I have no were right back where we should doubt her creative writing will result have been. By the weekend of April in many more children's stories. 20/21 (UW spring football weekend SOIL MOISTURE Congratulations! CONDITIONS AS OF in our town) there was significant April 12, 2002 snow in most areas of Wisconsin! • But mostly, it was a glorious There has been a lot of concern in recent years about the water spring. The winter was in no way o harsh, although we could have used level of the Great Lakes. Some of more snow in the south. On the our beautiful Wisconsin golf courses other hand there isn't much snow are on the shores of . mold damage if there isn't much Water levelswere at their lowest in snow and courses were nearly per- 35 years. They have fallen three feet since 1997. In some places you can fect for opening day. State average Bluebirds returned to our walk out 60 or 70 meters on dry land Very Short 1% that is normallywellunder water. But course in early April along with a Short 8% Adequate 63% a new assessment shows that the mating pair of hawks. The daffodils Surplus 28% and crocuses and forsythia have level of Lake Michigan should rise never appeared healthier. Soon about eight inches from last year. The after came the tulips and bluebells higher level is due to a rainy autumn and dogwood, and the fat buds on and a normal snow pack around the the lilacs forecast an abundant crop Lake Superior basin. for that beloved plant. • Spring is so often a day-by-day Sadly, there is another passing to thing in Wisconsin. Youcan be in the report. Dr. Eugene B. Smalley, middle of a frost or cold rain or emeritus professor of plant snow flurries and dream of an pathology and forestry at the evening by the hearth and a big fire. University of Wisconsin - Madison, Two days later you are in short died on March 25th. He was 75 sleeves because of warm mornings, years old. hot and humid afternoons and Dr. Smalley was a well-known balmy nights. The variability adds to expert on Dutch Elm Disease and our impatience to get the golf for those superintendents who lived courses going.

THE GRASS ROOTS MAY/JUNE 2002 ~. THE EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK

~.:'i'~~1 ch .bow o AbcMt normal normal

Note: Nod •• Iv.iLlbie for AlMb, H.-II

SoufCe: U.S. NattonaJ Olm.-tic Dat.tc.ntet KRT

The winter past was the warmest sincerecordsbegan in 1895. State temperatures from November 2001 to January 2002 ranked with previous winters (2=2nd warmest).

through that awful epidemic, he and as I witnessed personally when I square foot, rather than the tradi- Dr. Gayle Worf offered treatment mentioned his name to staff people tional square yard that we have all programs for infected American at the ERI. known. Elms. Dr. Smalley assembled a substan- All residential and commercial Smalley was a world-renowned tial collection of trees from his real estate lots are sold by the expert on the disease. He collected breeding program. You can still see square foot; many of our golf course elm seed from all over the world and them, growing on the UW - projects are designed by the square developed resistant strains of elm Madison's Arlington Agricultural foot. Conversion to sodding these trees from them. They were Experiment Station, just off UB. areas is direct when the sod is sold patented by the Wisconsin Alumni Highway 51, north of Madison. by the square foot. Research Foundation (WARF) and World known for his work with Actually, the Midwest is one of the most famous (to my observa- elms, Dr. Smalley traveled to the last areas to convert sold sales tion) is the Autumn Sapporo Gold England in 1980 where he and to the square foot. The Midwest Sod Elm. Like many other Wisconsin Prince Phillip planted a disease- Council (WI, IL and IN sod farms) is golf courses, we planted one of the resistant elm on the Windsor leading the way in letting the public Autumn Sapporo Gold trees. We Castle lawn. know about this sizing change. also have an American Liberty Elm • If you have any questions, call that we planted behind the 15th you Wisconsin sod supplier; he will The Wisconsin Sod Producers green. This was purchased from the help you out. Association recently announced a Elm Research Institute in Harrisville, change in the way sod is sold. New Hampshire during a visit I • Starting with this 2002 season, the Mid-Mayeach year, regardless of made there in the mid-1980s. Dr. industry will be selling sod by the how busy I am, I make the trip back Smalley inspired that organization

• THE GRASS ROOTS MAY/JUNE 2002