GRASS GROWING BY ELECTRICITY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 22 November 1924, Page 13

GRASS GROWING BY ELECTRICITY.

GOLF GREEN READY IN TWO

MONTHS,

, Experiments in the pse of electric light at night for promoting rapid growth of grass arc described in the New York Golf Illustrated by Mr. Frank H. Cole, who says that laboratory and greenhouse tests proved that plants could be brought to full growth at practically any predetermined time by electrically reinforcing the work of the sun.

It was therefore decided to try the scheme under outdoor conditions on the Jumping Brook Golf Club’s course at New Jersey, U.S.A. A clay gravel site was dug, and top soil from another portion of the land brought in to give about fifteen inches of soil for the green. This was sown early in June, and over a portion of it were erected 24 special Westinghouse reflectors, each containing a 1,000-watt tungsten bulb. These reflectors were hung about four feet from the ground and gave a continuous even light. The lights were put into operation on June 6, and turned on for the next 21 nights. Mr. Cole says that the weather was unfavourable to the rapid germination of grass seed, but that the first seed came through under the electric lights five days after planting. Nothing came through on the unlighted portion of the green until two days later.

At the end of three weeks the grass under the electric lights had attained a general growth of nearly four inches, while on the portion of the green outside the lamps there was a growth of about one inch. The colour of the grass underneath the electric lights was the same as outside. The experts .are satisfied that the electric light system saves at least 40 per cent, in the time between planting and cutting the average green, and that after cutting it thickens the growth. The ground treated in this instance progressed so rapidly as to be ready for play two months after sowing.