ROYAL SEED ESTABLISHMENT
READING
31st October 1959.
W. Dickinson. Esq.,
Everton Football Club Co. Ltd.,
Goodison Park,
Liverpool, 4.
Dear Sir,
With reference to the visit of our Mr. C. Prior to your Club
on Friday October 30th, for the purpose of inspecting the playing pitch;
his observations have had our careful consideration and we accordingly
submit the following information.
We are indeed happy to learn that a healthy sward is present
over the area and that it is standing up to play very well, particularly
so, in view of the concentration of matches which are played at the
commencement of the season.
It should be appreciated that the prolonged dry spell has been
helpful and in this connection the test will, of course, become evident
now that normal rains are being experienced. We understand that in
varying positions on the pitch water did take some little time to get
away following very heavy rains experienced in your area recently, but
in view of the quantity which fell, some 2.33 inches in a comparatively
short period, this is not surprising. A contributing factor to this
would be the very dry state of the soil, as moisture is not under such
conditions readily absorbed, especially when rainfalls are so heavy as in
your case. There is no doubt however, that from observations and remarks
made by your ground staff, it would appear that the drainage is a little
better. As we have said before, the passage of time is an essential factor
in the efficient working of a newly laid drainage system. It would
however, appear that an area on the side opposite the Directors Box is
suspect, a position where we understand heavy lorries continually travelled
when bringing materials when the re—construction was being carried out
which has apparently badly panned down the underlying soil. As a result
water is much slower in getting away. This is confirmed by the really
excellent condition of the turf on the office side of the ground in spite
of .165 inches of rain falling during the night of Thursday October 29th.
We suggest it is too early to pass judgement and would again
stress the importance of continually aerating the area with the machine
you have as much as possible and in the case of the areas where moisture
tends to remain, forking as deeply as practicable must be carried out.
Without doubt, as the season progresses the pitch will cut up during matches
and we feel you appreciate the importance of ensuring that all necessary
repairs are completed as quickly as possible in order that the spiking and
aeration can be continued with the utmost vigour. In view of this
importance it would be advantageous if your present ground staff of two
could be augmented and by so doing, the advantages will quickly become
apparent to you.
Trusting the foregoing will be of assistance to you,
Yours faithfully,
for Sutton & Sons Ltd.
