[PROGRESS REPORT ON GROUND 19TH APRIL 1963] It is considered desirable that the Directors should know the situation to date regarding the re-habilitation of the ground after the severe Winter. Firstly as agreed by the Board arrangements have been made for the re—installation of the soil warming cables. As before MANWEB are the Contractors and 14th May has been fixed as the day for the commencement of the work. The cables will be put in by mole plough by David Brown Limited. They are fully experienced in the work being the firm who installed the system at Murrayfield. The cables will be 9" apart instead of 6" as before with the current slightly increased to give the same heating but they will now continue to the running track not to the touch lines as previously done. They will be put in at a depth of 4" which is considered suitable. The time for completion is approximately 10 days. The cost will probably be more than anticipated due to an increase in the cost of the cable and a higher figure than anticipated for the mole ploughing but MANWEB expect to be able to give us exact figures very shortly. Regarding the pitch itself the major concern has been the effect of the chemical Bowmanol GL5 which was used to soften the ground. Samples were sent away and on these it was found that the P.H. was so high, namely 9, that seed would not germinate in such alkaline conditions. It should be explained P.H. is an expression used to give the balance between acid and alkaline. For good germination soil should have a P.H. of about 6 which is slightly acid at the other end of the scale about 8.5 the highest seed will grow and is very alkaline. The Bowmanol was analysed and found to be largely UREA, which in strength anests growth but in dilute form is a nitrogenous fertiliser even though it produces an alkaline condition of the soil. Conditions have however improved considerably and despite earlier forebodings the root has not been completely killed as new grass is starting to grow. This is no doubt due to the heavy rainfall of late which has diluted the chemical. We have been advised by Mr. Prior of Sutton Seeds that the best remedy is to keep the ground aerated by spiking and to water artificially, if there is no rain, to still further dilute the G,L.5. It is therefore hoped that by the time comes for sowing that the P.H. will be low enough to produce a healthy growth. The small practice pitch in front of the pavilion at Bellefield on which it was used will have similar treatment. Arrangements have been made with the En Tout Cas to level and seed the smaller of the 2 main practice pitches at a cost of £320, work to commence on 14th May approximately. At the same time the level of the main pitch will be adjusted as there has been a slight sinking of the ground where the drains were installed. This is En—Tout Cas responsibility which they acknowledge.