Abstract

In the 1930's, South Florida's rich organic soils, recently drained from wetlands, were a rich garden for producing turfgrass sod.  St. Augustinegrass was hand-planted and cut for the wealthy of Palm Beach and Miami Beach.  The industry experienced several revolutions.  The fork lift introduced in the 1960's had a cascade of effects on transportation, sod farm location, and cost of production.  New cultivars such as Bitterblue, Floratine, Floratam, and FX-10 affected quality to the consumer, cost of production, and the organization of the market.  New cultivars have been the long-term strategy for abatement of pest problems.  The abundance of relatively inexpensive land is expected to change soon, and will have a substantial impact on the industry.

Rubison Sod Cutter, invented early 1940's, Broward County, Florida, showing the tow chain; two-coulter side-cutting roller (to the right, behind the spokes); followed by the horizontal lifting blade (V-shaped cutting edge is hidden behind the wheel axle).  The operator sat on a plank (now missing) at the far left and had limited steering, using the round rod which projects to the left.  For cutting sod, a second, foreground rod (welded to the offset axle) was unhooked from the frame, allowing the entire machine weight to rest on the roller and blade.