Horticultural Society

H/4/1964-2-

Elizabeth Canby reported that cedar waxwing ate their berries.

Helen and Douglas provided the reading of the evening in the sharing of their pictures to the West coast abd to Hawaii. We glimpsed winderful views, including among others, Jackson Hole, Ogden Utah, Pocatello, roses in Boise station, Mt. Hood in Oregon. In Hawaii we lost our hearts to the vivid cloroscolors and the flowers. We saw view of Pearl Harbor, of Ernie Pyles' grace, nearby islands, a black sand beach. Then Home via Seatle Chicago.

Questions: Flora Goff would like to have the July 1963 House and Garden. Also can sparros be kept our of blue bird nests. No answer.

Douglas reported, answering a question, that he had planted onions andpotatoes.

Mr. Iddings said he was still pursuing the passon flower vine. He had acquired a seeding.

Chicken has reached that dreamed for stage of having garden with such mellowness that shrubs wablle.

She didn't reach get much sympathy, but she could stake them.

Betty wanted to know who lost roses. Several had. Pete attributes this to the last summer drouths, with delayed action. Pete inquired why his putting green was brown. There was little experience with bent grass but hewas advised to just wait.

John weske: Why does lurel grow on one road and not anoth er. Pete said laurel like shale oil and good dra nage.

Next plaxesof Meeting were announced: Oakley May, Oakwood, June, Pete Hutton July, August Cedars Gracely September, October Bee Hutton.

Conflicts between PTA members and Teachers was discussed. Several will have to be absent. This wasleft for further discussion . A change it was pointed out would provide other conflicts.

Adjourned until May for the Oakley meeting to the held at the Community H use.

Lucy Manning.

H/5/1967-1-

May 2nd. Bea and Clair Hutton's

On a beutiful, warm May afternoon The Horticultural gathered at the actractive home of Bea and Clair Hutton. The blooming shrubs and estensive border- a mass of color set around a beautiful green, well shorn lawn was a scene to gratify and horticulurlest. Big drops of rain began to fall as we were called in to supper, and The interior of the house was as lovely as the outside-and the food as usual was abundernt and good- so we were unmindful of the weather.

Helen and Douglas Farquhar were the only absentees- and Mr. & Mrs. William Hartshorne and Mrs. Trice were our guests.

The minutes were more or less approved as red- although Bea Wilson took exception to being again appointed Forethought.

Under old business the Secretary reported having written Wendy and Clive Lawrence and Helen and Jack Bentley- and have recieved an answer from Jack. The Membership committee suggested the names of Sylvia and Richard Woodward to renew their membership with us, and it was heartily approved. The Secretary was instructed to notify them. A further report will be given next month.

Elizabeth Canby read, for her selected article from a magazine published by the American Seed Reserch Foundation- on, "Forests of Tomorrow." The forest industry on the United States is changing rapidly from the first cutting of a wild forest to the continuous harvesting of managed forest. Since Foresty ranks up top of the nation's leading industural employees, what happens in the woods affects the welfare of the substantial part of the population. In the early days of forestry, trees were considered to be inexhaustible and there seem to be little need for planting new stands. Now forest acreage is being severly reduced every year by dams, freeways, power lines and subdivisions. It is obvious that foresters must obtain higher productivity out of each remaining acre to meet the demand for forest products. Cutout land must be reforested as soon as wood crop is harvested- we can't wait for nature to do it. Adequate seed crops may not occur for periods of 5/6 years. Hence, the forester must lay up a bank in the fat years to tide him over the lean ones. The gathering of forest seed is a time consuming and dollar consuming prosess. Certainly foresters can't afford to store tons of poor seed, hence the vital importance of research in collection and testing. It was a facinating artical which went on the tell of the research in forest genetics, seed orchards, seed storage and processing. Much of the seeding is done by hand- some in the fall other species in the spring. Much profress has been made in tree seed handling techniques in the recent years. The next 20 years should see even greater improvements in control of cone collections and seed processing.

Alan Thomas read the Treasurers report- and it was repeated that we shall keep our wealth until such time s hospital is ready to have some planting done. Dues were collected- $6.50- and added to the balance reported gives us, in hand $25.80

Instead of a volunteer article, Elizabeth Ligon told of a road- a back road to Baltimore which followed the road on which the two Hutton homes are now, on. There was a ford at the riverand there was also a weighing station at the Brighton end of the road.

Although Bea Wilson had not thought she was still Forethought she told us to use Antrol for the eradication of Dandylions. Mary Moore Miller has a tubular can which she fills with 24D- and can press it down into the plant- pull or press a button and it seems to be very effective.

H/6/1967-1-

June 6th- 1967

Springdale with Ellis and Lucy Manning

It was a beautiful, warm afternoon when we met with the Mannings at their lovely Springdale. We enjoyed walking over the gardens- the bricked patio, complete with a robin's nest in the nearby bush, the swimming pool- the old boxwood- beautiful treesall making a most delightful spot.

The usual good meal was enjoyed, and we were called to order around eight o'clock.

Our pleasure was expressed over the return of Richard and Sylvia Woodward, who were us. Edward Iddings was the only absent member. Rev. and Mrs. Valliant were our only guests.

The minutes were read and approved.

Under old buisness the membership comittee recommended the names of Mr. and Mrs. William Heckendorn of Brookeville for membership. This report will lay over until the July meeting.

Robert Miller, the appointed reader had an article on the Legends about flowers- and how some of them got their names, Many of them are from Greek Mythology- Hyacinth- dianthus, nardisssus, peony, scabioss and iris among them, There are legends about the marigold, lilac, hollyhock and azeleas, and of course the rose, about which flowe there are more stories than any other.

Lucy Manning had an article from House Bautiful on butterflies and what to plant to entice them to tour gardens. The article was written by someone who had been employed by Winston Churchill, who was always interested in butterflies. he listed many familiar flowers and shrubs- many of which also attract humming birds.

Forethought- Bea Wilson said that Mr. Youngman says it is allright to put out annuals, in spite of the cool weather. Look out, however for aphids and other insect pests, caused by the cool, damp weather. The Government Turf and Rose Gardens at Gaithersburg will be open next week-end, and this year the Potomac Chrysanthmum Society is planting several beds so that we will have an attraction again this fall. The gardens are always open, but next week-end there will be experts there to answer questions.

Douglas Farquhar gave the weather report- saying that "Cold is the most he can say for May 1967". There was 4.7 inches of rain- with 14 days of measurable rain and 2 others with traces. Caroline Hussman was the Assistant Secretary, and read long lists, mostly of a spectacular display of flowers, They came from; Bea and Clair- the Goffs, Weskes, Thomases, Ligons, Mary Moore Miller Wilsons, Huttons and Millers.

Several peope reported having seen 2 male scarlet tanangers, somewhat unusual around here,

Mary Moore Miller had an article from the New York Times. Because of the cold weather numbers of tanagers, grosbeaks and other tree-top feeders have died. Most birds come north s the daylight lengthens- but this year the ground was too frozen for the worms and bugs to be found. This may be a reason to so many birds at our feeders this year.

Sylvia Woodward was asked to take over Forethought- and she agreed to start in August- as they will be away for the July meeting.

This brought up the fact that our next meeting will be July 4th- when several will be away, There was some discussion, but it was decided to go ahead and most the regular time.

Questions:

Grace Thomas has left a sample of the shrub she had asked.

August 1st- 1967

GREAT EASE with Garland and Elizabeth Ligon

It was rather cloudy- and quite warm when we met at Great Ease- abd after enjoying the extensive gardens- bother flower and vegetable we also enjoyed the usual good dinner.

We were called to order at the usual time by our President Ellis Manning- who greeted our new members, William and Zela Heckendorn- and out guests, Bob and Nell Johnsen-

The minutes of the July Meeting were read and approved.

Alan Thomas had for his selected article one of #Fragrance in the garden", from Taylor's Garden Guide. The use of perfume is ancient- the Arabs and Persians of the early day having the banquet floors strewn to the depth of the wine glass with fragrant rose petals. And so through the ages gardens have been cultivated for their seetness as well as beauty. The fragrant night garden is especially desirable- many of which are white- many familliar flowers were named, but we also contributed several not named by Mr.Taylor. Many of the most common fragrants are used and blended for the ingredients for the expensive perfumes. He outlined a method for "do it" yourself" perfume to be made at home- but we decided to economize on something else, and continue to buy our perfume. onimize on something else, and continue to buy our perfume. Many reminiscences and comments followed this interesting article.

Caroline Hussman read an article from Dr. Seibert of Longwood Gardens about smog and its effect on gardens and trees- which is not good. He listed some which seen impervious to it.

William Heckendorn told of the research the Space Program is doing to reconstitute the ir in the big labs reaching for the moon.

Douglas Farquhar reported the average high temperature for July was 81, the highest being 88 and the low55- with mesurable rain on 1/4 days totaling 5.5 inches.

Mary Moore Miller, Assistant Secretary, told us there were exhibits from:- Rocky Ridge, The Cedars, The Highlands, The Cottage, Oakwood, Bien Venu, Claire and Bea Hutton- and from the Heckendorns a most beautiful fasket with many varieties of lettuce. Mary Moore had an apple she wanted identified and after sampling it Betty Ligon diagnosed it summer rambo.

Dorothy Weske is, for the third year , enjoying a nest of Phoebes,and is especially entertained by the attention of the father.

QUESTION: Clematis can be cut back in the fall to a footand dead dead wood should be cut out at any time- however it does not have to be cut back unless it has become unsightly.

John Weske's peach trees have so many other trees around them that they are growing too tall- when should he trim them - This should be done in the late winter.

Plant strawberries the last of August.

Buz Hussman spoke of the very large trees which are being moved- and which has prompted him to consider putting out a grove to cultivate for the sale- he asked the opinion of the club- and asked for suggestions of varieties. It met with general approval- and several kinds were were recommended- but he was advised to get in contact with The Maryland Department off Forests and Parks.

Dale Thomas asked about putting grass clippings on the compost. It is all right, but watch out for spontanious combustionespecially if the pile is near a building.

H/10/1967-1-

October 3- 1967 MT. PLEASANT- with Harry and Flora Goff

Someone has said that Heaven must be an eternity of early October days- and this day was truly "heavenly". After strolling over the beautifully cared for lawns and enjoying the late flowers, grapes and the view- we went in for the usual good dinner.

We were called to order by our president, Ellis Manning- at about eight o'clock- and welcomed our guests, Mrs. Burch, Mrs. Walker and Iris Beall.

After a slight correction the minutes were accepted.

Vernon Hussman read for his selected article- "Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow?"- yes if the nuts escape being eaten by insects, animals and humans. there are seventeen oak species found in the Maryland countryside, and as a group they are one of the most difficult to identify. The acorns of the White oak group take one year to mature- members of the red or black oak group take two years. many unripe acorns, divested of their cups are whipped from the trees as early as mid-August- by storms- then when the winf is up one evening, harbinging a cold front- the steady staccato of the little brown missels on the roof, wobbling crazily down the pitch abd clunking the gutter- is ritual in many houses to the lighting of the first Fall fire. The average scorns produced by most species is 5,000 a year- one scarlet oak in North Carolina produced about 46,000 and a champion, from Texas of course, bore 100,000 in one year. The article didn't say who counted them!

Only an extremely small number of these are destined to become mature trees. Even before they drop from the trees they are invaded. Bizarre weevils, insects with heads elongated into cylindrical beaks or snouts(having strong jaws on the end) drill into them and lay eggs- the larvae or woms feed on the abundant food supply in the nut. Some beetles do the same thing, and moths and wasps lay eggs on the surface of the acorn. Then it is estimated that 83% of the huts ae eaten by deer and other mammals- many are sterils or deformed About 8/10 of one percent sprout and half of them die as seedlings. Many large animals feed on Acorns- deef, foxes, gray squirrels- also [?] and flying squirrels, raccoons, bears, muskrats, wood rats and mice. Many birds also feed on acorns. Any farmer knows the nutritive value in acorns in fattening hogs- but the low protein content may cause soft pork or below normal growth. And- California Indians still do what Eastern Indians once did- grind the kernels to flour and leach out the bitterness with warm water. The meal is dried and used as mush or baked into bread. So- it might be more appropriate to say, "Great Oaks from little acorns grow- but not often."

Ulric Hutton spoke of a double Sycamore tree in Clarksville. It is self-grafted and is very old. He remembers it from his childhood looking just as it does now. He had a slide of it which he passed around.

There was no forethought- as Sylvia Woodward is away.

Douglas Farquhar reported a very pleasant month- with a high temperature of 78 on four different days with a low of 44 on 3 days. Total rainfall was only .3 in on 2 days- with a trace on 2 other days. The D.C.weather said a total for the month was .05 Only one month in history had been less.

The Assistant Secretary reported exhibits from :- Montresor, Bea and Claire Hutton,Springdale, The Cedars, Oakwood, Spring Villa, Ulric Hutton and The Highlands.