Horticultural Society

H/9/1966-2

9-5-1966 Page 2

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA AMERICANA

DATURA - A genus of the potato family, represented in the United States chiefly by coarse weeds naturalized from tropical America. Jamestown or Jimson weed is said to have received its name from a poisoning that occurred from its use by the settlers of Jamestown, Virginia.

It is also called thorn-apple, and found in waste places the eastern seaboard west to Minnesota and Texas. The purple thorn-apple or purple Datura Stramonium is also found in the same region. An extract from these plants is used in medicine. When taken internally it is a powerful narcotic; medically used in mania, convulsions, epilepsy, etc. When smoked it palliates the symtoms in asthma. Seeds of some species were used by the aboriginal Americans as norcotics, and are said to have produced the frenzied ravings of the priest in the Delphic and some other temples.

The Peruvians use for the same purpose Datura Sanguinea, manufacturing from it also an intoxicating beverage. Some plants are cultivated for their showy flowers.

Bea Hutton has 2 or 3 families of Baltimore Orioles at her home. The Bentleys, and others, have many coveys of Quail, while President Ulric reported 13 quail eggs in one nest on his place. Ellis Manning III has Bluejays nesting for the second time at his home in town.

Starting the question period, Helen Farquhar remarked that she was very busy getting her grandchildren ready for school, and was also wondering why the flowerin- dogwood seems to be dying. Injuries caused by lawnmowers could allow for some deterioration, but we all hope next Spring's fertilizer will help the trees.

Dale Thomas commented further on the Datura plant, wondering about its possible poisoning effects; which led Clive Lawrence to mention that the first potatoes grown in England, sent from the colonies by Sir Walter Raleigh, were also poisonous. It was also pointed out that rhubarb leaves and elderly polk plants are sometimes poisonous.

Clive Lawrence asked: what perennials can be grown in this arid County during the summer? Mostly shrubs, particularly the Anthony Waterer Spirea, and Sunflowers. Mother Thomas mentioned her single remarkable sunflower, 10 feet tall with 11 separate big blooms; and the Ligons are raising 1/4 acre of them for the birds.

Rust Canby reminded us that not enough attention is paid to the location and mulching of plants. The addition of cottonseed meal into the ground is very effective, and mulch is so important to change the flow of rain water and hold the moisture. He planted potatoes as usual on March 15th, which produced beautiful plants in 6 weeks, but no tubers by July 1st. Plenty of water since then has brought a good supply, evidenced by his exhibit.

H/6/1961 -2-

The Meteorologist reported for May: Ave. High Temp. 69* Highest 86* on the 9th; ave. Low 49*; Lowest 38* on the 4, 5th and 28th; Mean temp. 59* for the month. Total rainfall 3.37 inches measureable rain fell on 16 days.

Grace Thomas will serve as the Assistant Secretary and read the list of exhibits as follows: Bien Venue had 13 wild flowers in bloom which were very interesting and attractive; Oakley had iris, lemon Lily, peonies and lessimicia(a yellow flower in a spray; The Cottage had five kinds of columbine, pansies, Sweet Williams, pinks, and Veronica; Fieldhead had peas, parsley, onion, spinach, potatoes and tomato. The Cedars (see below) ***

Birds: Quail are eating strawberries; crows are eating corn; something is eating petunia blooms. A crow repellant made with creosote can be put in each hill of corn. Use gloves to protect hands.

The names of Flora and Harry Goff were proposed and they will be told that we would like them to become members if, after visiting, they decide they want to join. The Secretary was asked to inform them of this action and the Canbys will invite them to the next meeting. Also, the committee will follow up on the suggestion and approval to ask Bea and Claire Hutton to join.

The Northeast Montgomery County Council has held meetings on zoning and public parks. There is not enough money for parks as proposed.

Questions: The boxwood bush at Great Ease can be separated at the roots. Cuttings of most box can be made in the spring. Francis Thomas told of a method of putting large crocks filled with water in between cucumber hills then using burlap bags as wicks to convey the water to the plants.

Iris can be ordered from Oregon as well as Ohio. Crows are a nuisance in some ares. To get rid of them, shoot one and hang it up. This has worked for some people to scare them away.

The next meeting will be at Fieldhead on July 4th. Ulric and Rose Hutton will be asked to tell of their recent trip to the West.

As the Secretary will be away on vacation next time, Elizabeth Ligon consented to serve.

Mary Moore Miller Secretary

*** The Cedars: Asparagus. rhubarb, three kinds of lettuce, radishes, onions, parsley, strawberries, and a handsome white peony.

THE COMMUNITY HOUSE August 1, 1961

It was the gnats that prevented our meeting at Concord but the Woodwards made us feel thoroughly "at home" by way of the lovely flower arrangements on each table and mantle and in other "vital"spots. They had grown all at Concord so we knew we were missing |much by not seeing their original settings in the home garden. We were impressed by the effects produced by balsom in pale pinks, and rich reds, by the spray of blackberries in with purple and lavender petunias and ivy, to mention a few highlights.

Our president welcomed Flora and Harry Goff who, we hope, will continue to meet with us; and welcomed the guests- Mr. and Mrs. Ulrich.

The minutes|of last month were read and accepted.

Bea Wilson read an article on shade trees, setting forth the advantages of many varieties and reminding us that patterns of bare branches in winter serve to decorate as well as the tree in full leaf in other seasons. The beauty of the natural form can show up if trees are not too crowded. To mentuon a few,- the English maple grows low35 ft. , gives color and is good for climbing; the Katsua is nearly free of insects and has pleasantly spreading branches; the Chinese scholar tree also has no pests and has cream colored blossoms like the locust; the Japanese tree-lilac has white blossoms in June; the native Bourwood grows to 75 ft. and the flowers in late summer.

Mary Reading N. Miller read extracts from the book, "Cooking by the Garden Calendar". There are gardiners who like to cook and cooks who like to garden so the results are many ways to grow and prepre foods. If we will plant cucumber seeds with flower pots surrounding them, water can be kept in the pots for good results in|plants and fruit. Corn-on-the-cob put on the tables in 20 min. from the garden tastes best. Try fresh tomato juice for delicacy,- no canning- just extracted,- with a little salt, basil and lemon juice added. Freeze cubes of tomato or raspberry juice for variety.

Sylvia Woodward's forethought stirred us tto plan for action on many fronts.- such as cutting back annuals for more second bloom, ordering bulbs for fall planting, lifting what daffodil bulbs as are to be donelifted, potting herbs for winter, dividing iris, pinching chrysanthemums for the last time, fertilizing, planting corn salad (by Mary Reading's book defined as a substitute for lettuce in the spring, known also as fetticus) and planting also marvel peas for fall.

The meteorlogist reported the ave. high for July as 84°(little below normal), highest 39°; ave. low 66°. lowest 55°; mean temp 75°- little cooler than normal; 5.14 in. of rain fell; measurable rain fell on 15 days- a lttle on 6 other days.

Exhibits: the flowers grown by the Woodwards and arranged by Carol W. Arnatt, also the hanging basket from there with [tuberose rooted?] in it,- very attractive; tuberous begonias by Bea and Claire Hutton; vegetables|by the Wilsons,and from hanging begonias

May -1965(cont) H/5/1965-2-

Douglas Farquhar reported on April's weather, showing an averagelow temperature of 39° vs. 42° a year ago. Average high was 60° vs. 61°, which gave us a mean temperature for the month of 50° compared with last year's 52°. April 3rd was the coldest with 23° and April 30th the warmest with 78°. Measurable rain occurred on 13 days in each year, with 2.37 inches this year vs. 4.48 last year.

Our Assistant Secretary, Helen Bentley, read an amazing list of beautiful exhibits, but please don't be surprised if this Secretary has omitted or misspelled some of them! The Wilson's brought a "wild" collection including the following: Alaskan Marigold, Solomon's Seal, Trillium, Spring Beauty, Columbine, Virginia Bluebells, Wood Anemone, Jacob's Ladder, Wild Finger, Dogwood, Redbud, Aronia and Rhubarb (wild?). The Farquhars brought asparagus, Rhubarb, Lettuce and Tomato seedlings. Edward Iddings had English Snow Drop, Sultana and Scilla, while the Weske's brought Fuchsia. ‘The Ligon's had Asparagus, and Chicken Kricker brought purple Lilac, purple Iris,white Viburnum, Flowering Almond and Tulips. Bea Hutton brought Dogwood, purple Lilac, Magnolia and Redbud. Helen Bentley had a collection of Pink and White Lilacs, Azaleas, Redbud, Double Cherry or Pearl Bush, Egyptian Rose, Lillies of the Valley and Asparagus. President Ulric and Rose Hutton brought Dogwood, Fothergillia, Mahonia, Viburnum, Crab, Cherry, Redbud, Magnolia, Flowering almond, Silver Bells and a Quince Flower.

On the subject of Birds, Bob Miller has his red-headed woodpeckers back again. Ruth Havens told of the sorry plight of her favorite Flicker whose nest was taken over by those nasty Starlings after 16 loads of nesting material had been gathered. Wendy Lawrence saw a beautiful flock of Swans going over her place, truly a rare sight in these parts. Helen Bentley reported that Jack had seen Geese going North as early as February 15th. She herself saw Gulls following Lethbridge's plowing in back of her place. Betty Ligon has a Baltimore Oriole coming to her feeder.

The Secretary read a letter of resignation from Chicken Kricker, who is moving later in June near Bethany Beach, Delaware. We will miss her contagious smile and ready wit, and we will all have a place for her at our collective tables when she cares to visit. The Secretary was instructed to write accepting her resignation with extreme regret. Betty Ligon also included an invitation to Chicken to attend the June Meeting at Great Ease, which has been done and copy attached.

President Ulric suggested that in deference to Lucy Manning's absence we defer discussion on her project about roadside clearance and the "Keep Maryland Beautiful Committee". Bea Wilson will bring in names of people in Rockville to whom we may write to get County action in certain spots. Others have noted much improvement in certain areas after such letters have been written. Raymond Havens suggested that bottle and can manufacturers be made to charge for their containers so that people would return them for the money involved. In a certain tested area, this plan collected 87% of original sales.

John Weske wanted to know if the County could be persuaded to defer cutting the roadsides until after the day lillies had a chance to bloom. He was promptly authorized to write to the County asking them to skip the lillies and other patches of roadside flowers. John has been supervising some community work groups from Friends School and others, who are looking around for such work as community house-

H/6/1965-26-1-1965 Page 2.

According to this author, herbs are a necessity for a salad, and the very best oil must be used. Even better than the best olive oil is good walnut oil, if you know where to get it.

There were no further volunteer readers, so Bea Wilson our Forethought lady, advised us to continue planting gladiolus, spraying the azaleas and boxwood, plant your potted rose bushes outside and prine your spring flowering plants. She also gave suggestions how to get rid of your old stumps, and might even have one burning for us when we meet there next time.

Douglas Farquhar's weather report showed an average high of 77_o for May, while the highest temperature of 88_o was on May 27th. The lowest reading was 42_o on May 30th, which gave an average low for the month of 55_o. Mean temperature for May 1965 was 66 compared with 64 a year ago. Measurable rain fell on 11 days totaling 2.51 inches this year vs. 5 days and .52 inches last year. Total rain this year to date is 17.38 inches.

Our assistant Secretary, Wendy Lawrence read the list of exhibits: The Woodwards brought Iris and Peonies; Dorothy Weske brought roses and the Millers has Pansies and Radishes. Helen Bentley surprised us with the first green Peas, 2 kinds of lettuce and some asparagus. Bea Wilson brought Foxglove, Lupin, and Jack-in-the-Pulpit. The Lawrences had Pansies and Pink Rose, while Bea Hutton brought a Crimson Star Clematis.m Alan and Dale Thomas brought salmon colored Oriental Poppies, Pink Shirley Poppies, and plants of the Large Yellow Jubilee Tomato, Green Globe French Artichoke, Straight Yellow Squash, Bibbs and Salad Bowl Lettuce. The Mannings had a Climbing Hydrangea and a Cornus Kousa. The Farquhars' garden at the Cedars produced Asparagus, Lettuce, Rhubarb, Strawberries, Radishes, Parsley, Onions and a Peony.

Some of us took up bird watching while dining, as a pair of Phoebes were busy feeding their young in a nest in the corner of the glass transom over the door. Flora Goff suggested that her bluebirds were "people watchers", as they often sat on the fence seeming to watch the Goffs go about their daily chores. These birds had just finished hatching and weening one brood before being disturbed by the cherry pickers. She expects them to return to raise another brood, unless the wrens take over the nest. Wendy Lawrence reported seeing baby Kingfishers in the middle of Bethlehem, Penn., and your secretary remarked that some baby swallows had just hatched out in the nest over the Insurance Office front door.

Lucy Manning was asked to comment further on her "roadside clearance" project. It was thought that trash collection could best be handled by extra taxes for that purpose. Edward ziddings helps keep the road clean between his place and Sandy Spring, but he does not collect taxes, only tin cans. Dorothy Weske had taken the time to write to the governor, and it was thought that several individual letters to the Governor or even to Mrs Johnson, would have more effect than just one letter from the Secretary.

Questions: Betty Ligon wanted to know the name of the Wildflower place in Pennsylvania. It is called Wake Robin in the village of Home.