Horticultural Society

H/5/1988-1-

May 3,1988 The May 3rd meeting (# 869) of the Sandy Spring Horicultural Society met at Quailhill , home of Elizabeth Thornton, Peter Austin and a smattering of housemates. The day's weather although not splendid was benign and allowed the Society to inspect the thin veener of grooming that made the grounds and house seem inhabited by civilized creatures (possibly human) and not gaping, slovenly primates. As the daylight waned everyone was gathered to serve themselves dinner. We looked out the south facing picture windows as a red fox made regal and leisurely appearance on the hillside above the middle pond....compliments of Foxes-R-Us, Rockville, Maryland.

Guests included the first Society appearance of Marika Austin and Jamie Rogers. There was also Mark Jacoby, Lisa Griffin, Liz Goll, Robin and Nell Johnsen, Henry and Esther Thornton, Jan Westervelt, and Clive and Wendy Lawrence. Missing was Tom Canby, Iduna & Rudi Hanel and Flora & Harry Goff.

After a delicious meal, the meeting began with an announcement from Tom Farhquar regarding a colleague who orders flower bulbs from Europe at a very good price.

The meeting was officially opened with the Treasurer's report. Despite irresponsible managment and wild expenditures the cofferes swelled with the opulent sum of $53.15. The yearly dues of 50 cents per family was collected, extracted and cajoled from all those present. The suggestion that those absent would pay an exorbitant penalty for lateness was voted down.

Susan Canby followed with a terrifying article about the back-breaking labor, iron discipline, and nearly oriental view of gradual progress over time that goes into creating and maintaing a lovely effortless looking wildflower patch. The article was from the 1988 April Horticultural magazine and was entitled "Can You Have a Meadow Garden?" it was subtitled "Yes , but it takes planning, preparation, and dilligent follow-through. The whole article was a direct contrast to the blite and seductive marketing attached to the so-called meadow-in-a-can. The advertisements foster the illusion that creating a beautiful wildflower meadow involves the ease and neglect that's anathema to any serious horticultural project. On the contrary, it requires preocedure, hard-work, and about 3 years to hit stride.

In lieu of a voulunteer article, Mary Grady recommended a book entitled "Honeysuckle Sipping" by Lise Chasanou. It sounds like a charming collection of the tricks and magic that can be shared with children as one unfolds the wonders of the green earth before them.

The minutes from 100 years ago detailed the meeting at Norwood, May 1st 1888. Of a multitude of facts and figure it was mentioned that watermelons and cucumbers don't mix.

Priscilla Allen described her forethought as a reminder that most of what was forethoughted last month should be continued as the dizzying pace of summer activity shifted into high gear.

H/5/1991-1-

May 7, 1991, Iris, page 1

A beautiful sunny and breezy day with temperatures in the 60's preceded our May gathering at the Hanels. Pleasant contrasts laced the house and grounds; formality and ease, order and creativity, soft-spoken personalities and the boom of their productive efforts. Unfortunately both Rudi and Iduna were being visited by the common cold. Fortunately the meeting was visited by Iduna's sister, Gunda, and our former active Society member Mary Moore Miller.

We started off with the reading of minutes from the previous meeting, glaring misstatements were frowned upon and some corrected. We quickly broke with established structure and passed the exhibits as some in attendance had to leave early and did not want to miss the fruits of the Society's labors.

We followed with moment of silence and sad reflection over the passing away of retired members Clive Lawrence and Sylvia Woodward. The likes of these two gentle and lovely individuals we were all fortunate to enjoy. Clive's soft humor and engaging manner are easy to recall. Sylvia's kitchen had a jar of bees that she used to sting herself as a self-treatment for arthritis - I always considered it ironic that anything could sting such a exceedingly pleasant person.

We moved on to the Treasurers Report. Against an undercurrent of doubt and allegations of embezzlement and mismanagement, the gathering accepted the coffer's total of $70.50 and even agreed to pass the hat to collect this year's dues.

The Nominating Committee proposed Nancy Pruess for Secretary, Ted Fletcher for Vice President, and Peter Austin for Treasurer/Secretary. With speed that was a credit to both Democracy and Anarchy, the nominations were decreed unanimous and the gavel was lobbed to Nancy Pruess as she positioned herself in the Big Chair and Caroline Hussman settled into the gallery amid appreciative applause for her past two years' helmsmanship.

The Assigned Reader was Nancy Chance who had an article about tabernay montana or more commonly, amsonia, blue star, or willow amsonia. The plant is native from Virginia to Georgia and west to Texas. It blooms from May to June, is said to grow gracefully and neat all season, and is resistant to pests. It bounces back after being rained on, does not need dividing, and is good for flower aranging and landscaping. Despite the entusiastic tone and hyperbole of the article, Nancy's opinion was that the blue of the flower is not a true blue and the plant itself is a good plant but not a great plant.

Ellen Hartge volunteered an Organic Farms Inc. Newsletter regarding toluene, zylene and other compounds that are innocuously labeled as inert but have possibly grave effects on the environment and animal nervous systems.

Lydia Haviland offered an article about Pink Ladyslippers - characterizing them as insect nightmares. The flowers of these plants have no nectar and trap pollinating insects into difficult escape. The plants will grow to be 25

H/4/1964-1-

101st year 1st meeting

HORTICULTURE began its 101st year on April 7, 1964 with a meeting at the Highlands with Mary Redding and Bob Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Scott were guests. Jack Bentley presided.

After approval of the minutes recounting the Centennial Meeting in October 1963, the Secretary read an accouting of the expenditures incurred. With a contribution from Hellen Hallowell, the treasury met all expenses with a balance of 44 cents except for the payement of the charge for the use of the Community House, namely $36.04. Helen had paid the charge herself and contributions were made by members not having already contributed and the money given to Helen Farquhar.

Wendy and Clive Lawrence were approved for member ship and Helen Farquhar asked to invite them.

Sylvia and Dick Woodward resigned because of his illness. The resignation was accepted regretfully Members were asked to submit names of possinle members to the membership committee.

In spite of the rain, there were some outstandin g exhibits. Chicken brought magolias and apricot blossoms, Pete and Rose white japonica, wate water lily magnolia and andromeda. The Ligons br brought jonquils and tulips.

As to birds, Jack saw a flock of 22 geese; robins came by the thousands Feb 21 and ate their holly berries. Certain trees with berries are ignored. He told of a N J holly orchard to which the birds came before Christmas and ate all their berries - 15 acres. quite a loss as there were no berried braches for sale.

Bea Wilson was appoibted to give the forethought replacing Sylvia, who resigned.

Douglas gave a report of winter weather; In October there was neither rain now snow. Nov. had 7 1/2 inches Dec. 3, rain and some snow, Jan 3 1/2, Feb 4, March pro provided us with 13 days or rain and 4 snow. Mar. 36 dropped to 16 degrees. The lowest in October was 36, in Nov. 26, in December zero, Jan. 6degrees Febry.12 degrees. October reached 80 on one day , Nov. 72, Dec. 50, March 72. The annual report on Frances Miller's well was that it was up to 8 feet from 3 1/2.

H/5/1964-1-

101st year 2d meeting

May 1964

Helen and Jack Bentley entertained Horticulture the first Tuesday in May at the Community House. This was the second meeting of the society in its 101st year.

After partaking of the food, which was generous in all departments except desserts, and this limitation was delightfully supplemented by the out of this world creamy mints brought by the guests Mr. and Mrs. Sowder. The President opened the meeting. He welcomed our new members Wendy and Clive Lawrence whose garden interest and garden lore many of us have enjoyed.

Ellis Manning read from Beverly Nichol's new garden book GARDEN OPEN TODAY, which is informative as well as delightful. Ellis selected Mr. Nichols guides and cautions on tree planting. Mr. Nichols reminds us that the nursery man can not do all your work. Your responsibility begins when the tree arrives and it is highly essential that you have the right mental attitude. Here you have on your hands a hospital case to be given immediate attention. The little tree has been through a surgical operation. It is all wrapped in bandages and has been forced perhaps to stand up for several days without food or water. Prepare your soil to a two foor depth, not just deep enough to crowd the roots in. Dig in a little c mpost. Get some one to help you plant it, unless you are anexpert nursery man. As one plants the other person must juggle it so the loose soil gets around the roots. Stake it, and put your stake in asyou plant. Staking is vital. The tree is in a state of convalescense and it may not survive the wintery winds if it is constantly windrocked. With these instructions the tree should live.

With Sylvia's resignation, Horticulture was without a Forethougher. The president quickly remedied this by appointing Bea Wilson, whose garden demonstrates what we have in store. But Bea and Walter were absent so again we had no advice for us to need the coming weeks.

H/4/1967-1-

April 4th- 1967

GRACLYN with Grace and Francis Thomas

It was a cool April evening when we met for the first time in 1967- also for the first time at the charming old place Grace and Francis Thomas have renovated.

After the usual abundant dinner and social time- we were called to order at 7.40 by our president, Ulric Hutton.

The minutes of October were read and approved. The Secty. then read the resignations of Helen and Jack Bentley, and Wendy and Clive Lawrence. Both were accepted with regret- and the Secty. was instructed to write the Bentley's and ask them to accept honorary membership, coming whenever possible.

Under unfinished business Rust Canby said his geraniums had not shown up yet.

The By-Laws were read as usual at the April meeting.

The nominating com. then reported that all officers had asked to be replaced- and the names of Ellis Manning for Presidnet and Harry Goff for Vice-President were offered- then they scrapped the bottom of the barrell and came up with the name of Mary Reading Miller for Secretary-Treasureer. Nominations from the floor were suggested- but soon they were closed, and the secretary was instructed to cast the ballot, which he did- the new officers taking over their tasks at once.

Dorothy Weske suggested a vote of thanks to the retiring officers- which was given.

Lucy Manning read, "Is man changing the Climate of the Earth", and article by Reid A. Bryson from Saturday Review. He says that it is not true that no one does anything about the weathermany things are done- intentional and unintentional. Man has been concerned with trying to make himself more comfortable- by developing protective clothing- housing, heating- air-conditioning- etc. Then of course cloud seeding has come in for some trials and discussions. But the most obvious way in which man has modified climate unconsciously is through building cities. He builds waterproof houses and paves streets so they will be waterproof- often waterproofing 50-60 precent of the city. In this area water runs off instead of saoking in. Also there are fewer trees in the city and less grass than in the open country.

A city makes its own temperature regime, mostly bye keeping the night warmer. As cities grow, the portion of the earth's surface ove which climate is modified gets larger and larger. About l per cent of the United States is paved. Studies are being made of deserts and much is being learned along this line.

For a volunteer article Alan Thomas read some notes he had found in the Horticultural files concerning weather of a hundred years ago.

Forethought had no report, but Bea Wilson will continue in that capacity.

A. D. Farquhar reported that he had gotten a new rain gaugedirections coming with it suggested that it be "turned upside down in freezing weather." He gave and interesting summary of the winter months- and comparisons of 1966 and 1967 for the first three months of the year. This report is filled with these minutes. He feels there is prospect of good rains this summer.

Bea Wilson reported as assistant Secretary that there were exhibits from the Weskes, Farquhars- Huttons- Bea and Clair