Turf for Golf Courses - Msu

THE IMPORTANT TURF PLANTS 101
this is fully determined, however, only experimental
trials are advisable on golf courses where it would be
likely to be helpful.
WHITE CLOVER (Trifolium repens)
White Clover is so well known as to need no de-
scription.' Though native to Europe, it is common
over nearly all parts of the United States. It is
most abundant in the northern half of the country,
but plentiful enough in the South. White Clover
is very frequently used in lawn mixtures, but on
golf courses is not usually welcomed. The plant
spreads naturally to such an extent that it nearly
always finds its way into grass turf wherever planted.
On fairways there seems no really valid objection
to the plant, but for some reason golfers have acquired
a prejudice against it. The good points of White
Clover as a turf plant are'its ability to grow on poor
soil, to form a close, dense mat, and to withstand very
close clipping well. The common criticism against it
is that the leaves become crushed and make a slippery
mass, but this objection is more fancied than real.
On putting-greens, White Clover is not desirable,
although when closely clipped the turf permits of
accurate putting. (plate VII.) Scattered tufts of