Horticultural Society

H/10/1988 - 1 -

October 4, 1988; page 1

We had the season's closing meeting at Riverside where the Society had met from time to time for over a hundred years. Fall's first frost was a few days ahead of us but the forests were already tinged with the color of autumn's glory and winter's chill. We were sorry to be missing the Canby's, Hanel's, Goffs, and Jim Bullard. We solaced ourselves over a small and excellent sampling of Eli Roger's grapes in their vinous incarnation.

Guests included David and Linda Hartge and Peter and Anita Ligon.

The meal was splendid and we relished each other's company in consideration of the long months ahead when the Society would be dispersed until the promise of spring brings us together again like returning wayfarers.

Unfinished business dealt with the Nominating Committee (John Hartge, Nancy Preuss, and Beth Bullard) and their task of filling vacancies expected to happen within a year ahead.

Nancy Preuss was the evening's reader. She read from an article by John Thorndike entitled "Gardening by the Moon and Stars". The article was about "biodynamic" gardening as developed and promoted by the English horticulturist Alan Chadwick. Biodynamic gardening was inspired by the teachings (specifically the 1924 agricultural lectures) of the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner who lived from 1861 to 1925.

Bio-dynamic gardening could be said to go above and beyond organic gardening. Many esoteric methods are used to enrich the soil with a mix of science, alchemy, perhaps astrology but no chemicals. Emphasis is put on methods to process compost so that it will address specific plants and soil needs. Steiner thought of the ideal farm as an ecological unit - its activities and philosophy being based on the cycles of nature. Biodynamic gardeners questioned in the article admitted that the rules they follow are not chiseled in stone and the theories are complicated and not likely to take the gardening world by storm. However, in these times of chemical dependence and slow crimes against nature biodynamic gardening offeres us sane alternatives - even if some of the processes seem a bit insane or mildly kooky.

There was no volunteer article.

John Hartge read from the October 2, 1888 meeting which was held at the Cedars. On that day at noon it had been 56 degrees. Th specimens on that day had been chiefly floral - said to be good as much had been recently damaged by rain.

H/7/1990-1-

July 3, 1990, Riverside, page 1

What was in the air when we had our July meeting at Riverside? Before there was a packed house and a delicious meal the porch and garden were laced with conversations and strolling groups unaware of the passage of time and lost in the pleasure of the gathering. The meal didn't start until 7:30 and the meeting didn't start until almost 9:00 when the sun and its light slipped from our day.

We were graced with a lovely array of guests; Peter and Anita Ligon, Louie Canby, Cathy Nelson & Brian Cousin, and Margaret Jones & Michael Jones.

When the meeting finally got started Elizabeth Thornton read the minutes from the previous meeting. They were passed with the correction that slugs similar to their human counterparts will not drown themselves in vinegar - only beer will do.

As there was no unfinished business Buzz Hussman read the seleced article which was by Robert Courick in Harrowsmith Magazine. It was about asian pears; history, virtues, cultivation, and economics. A short discussion followed on the gathering's experience with the fruit and although there seemed to be no lack of enthusiasm, knowledge, or good intentions about this intriguing fruit, no one has yet grown them.

Bill Hartge next read a quote from the highly esteemed Montgomery County Journal attributed to his son John.

The Century-old minutes were read by Elizabeth Thornton. July 1st at Fair Hill, 1890. The exhibits included ripe (which was underlined) tomatoes and potatoes indicating a veiled yet fierce competition. Also mentioned was a "digusting" poultry report that detailed a night when rats stole 100 chickens. Those rodents aren't called rats for nothing.

The Forethought recommended that vegetables be watered one inch per week. Fertilize tomatoes at 3/4 cup of 10-10-10 per plant. Stake plants. Give roses their last feeding at the end of July. Stop pruning chrysanthemums. French hydranges need lime now to turn their blooms purple next year.

John Hartge's meteorologist's report mentioned 2.9 inches of rain which is 2 inches low for the year. It was a dry month with 11 days with no rain, 8 days with 1/10 and then 3 days until appreciable rain fell. The high temperature was 97 on the 5th of June and tthe low was 69 on the 31st.

H/7/1989-2.

The Membership Committee asked and received authorization to write to Ellis and Mary Manning inviting them to be members. The Canbys offered to invite the Brooks and Peter Ligon families to the next meeting.

Among the many Questions and Answers: Lesley Rogers was advised that laurel and copper beach leaves may be preserved by soaking for two weeks in a solution of half glycerine, half water. Mo Chance was told that Sevin was effective for Japanese beetles but also lethal to bees. Buzz Hussman, reflecting on the drive for freedom in Poland, asked if there was a peculiarly Polish plant. Potatoes for vodka was the only answer. Nancy Chance wondered what might be eating pepper leaves. Suggested culprits were slugs, and suggested remedies were an applicaion of wood ashes or encirclement of the plants by sand or diatomaceous earth. John Hartge's question on drip irrigation without water pressure resulted in an interesting discussion of water distribution systems.

Iduna Hanel passed out literature describing dogwood diseases, along with information that the dogwood blight, anthracose, has not arrived in the area according to county agents.

With warm thanks to Elie and Lesley Rogers for an excellent evening, the Society adjourned to meeting next at Jackpine.