Horticultural Society

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/7/1990-2-

Julyy 3, 1990, Riverside, page 2

EXHIBITS

Exhibits included a large cabbage and some lovely cucumbers from the Hanels. Lydia Haviland contributed a nice broccoli, big potatoes, and a nice cabbage. From the Chances came nasturtiums, chrysanthemums, salvia, snapdragon, roses, and zinnias. From Riverside came zinnias, chrysanthemums, marigolds, pineapple sage, and a picture of their pepper crop. From the Earps came tuberose, snapdragon, foxglove, chrysanthemum, santana, dahlias, crocuses, colchicuums, begonia, and a rose. From Amersley came asters, chrysanthemums, nicotiana, a simplicity rose, dahlias, 1 limp colchicum, and tradescantia. Jackpine and Roslyn brought mixed flowers.

Bird Report Mo Chance told of seeing a pair of house finches making a ruckus in his umbrella pine. They were joined by a flock of their ilk. They in turn were joined by Mo who spotted a snake in the tree which he banished. On a sad note it was recalled that Frances Ayers, a local champion for the bluebird population, had died. Cathy Nelson reported a wounded red shouldered hawk had been found at Riverside and turned over to the Patuxant Wildlife Center for rehabilitation.

Committees The Redundancy Committee's efforts were on display in the next room. 2300 questions had been logged.

Questions

Buzz Hussman started the questions off in a horticultural, literary, and philosophic vein by asking what are wild oats, is it written where one can't sow wild oats, and who hasn't sewn wild oats. It seem that wild oats are a variety of rare timbered tree because the meeting was temporarily stumped. Mo followed with a question over how to keep clover out of one's lawn and thus out of one's garden. It was believed that there exists a clover specific herbicide. Referring back to Buzz and his wild oats it was mentioned that on the West Coast wild oats are considered a pest. It was recommended by the conservative elements that perhaps it's best not to sew wild oats. However, on the Eastern Seacoast sea oats are planted to protect dunes from eroding. Anita Ligon wanted to know how to move mint without destroying other plants. Advised simply to dig it up and

H/7/1990-2.

July 3, 1990, Riverside, page 3

not worry. Best to plant in plastic container with holes in the bottom from which it can still escape but with greater difficulty. Bettes Hartge asked the identity of the shade tree near the pool; Japanese Snowball. OK, can the group identify the adjacent bush; no. Cathy Nelson planted 3 rose campions and they're not doing well - rather they are dying from the center while in flower. Nancy Preuss observed the same behavior at Lee House but hers came back the next year. Mary Seiler has benignly neglected a section of her lawn so that it is now a nice clover field of 1/2 - 2 acres. Would anyone like to come in and bale it. Advised to call the Bonifants. Jim Bullard asked after the plastic jugs in the Hartge's garden. They have pitchfork holes in the bottom are used for watering. There ensued an involved discussion on holes and plastic jugs but no blinding insights were forthcoming. John Hartge asked how to keep squirrels out of the garden. In absence of Tom Canby, mylar strips and balloons with eyes were suggested. Live traps with one-way tickets to Howard County was also offered. John's second question was if anyone needs a "magic" corn scraper. As the deafening silence descended upon him Ellen slipped out to station herself at the door with several cases of scrapers to bestow upon the departing multitude.

We discussed the next meeting to be held at the National Cathedral. Bettes Hartge and Susan Canby volunteered to do unspecified organisational work. There would be no rain date, no exhibits, bring an umbrella and Peter Austin volunteered to read...hoping that there wouldn't enough time for him.

The hour was late, the gathering exceptional, the companionship sublime. We thanked the Riverside household for their hospitality and made our way past the corn scrapers into the night's darkness and our homes beyond.