Horticultural Society

A photo of 21 people posing in a garden Backrow Harold Earp Edwina Earp Bette Hartge Nancy Chance Susan Fifer Canby Rudi Hanel Elie Rogers Lydia Haviland Leslie Rogers John Hartge Ellen Hartge Peter Austin Caroline Hussman Buzz Hussman Iduna Hanel Front Row Tom Farquhar Mary Grady Nancy Preuss Mo Chance Ari Preuss Elizabeth Thornton missing - Tom Canby, Bill Hartge, Jim + Beth Bullard, Peter + Polly Conlon and Harry + Flora Goff Incomplete SSHS July 5, 1988

H/5/1988-6.

September 6, 1988; page 3

Mrs. Kinney asked how to banish moles from her garden. The high-tech, expensive but very effective "Gopher-it" gadget was suggested. The low-key, cheap, but psychically satisfying method of death by Juicy Fruit was also mentioned. Clippy clops and daisy wheels were also brought up.

Mo Chance asked if any other neighborhood clubs have similar records of continuity. Yes and before we congragulate ourselves on perfect continuity Mo informed us that during the 1943-44 seasons the meetings were suspended because of gasoline rationing.

Also, are 2 inch luffas worth keeping. No.

Caroline Hussman is searching near her house for a bronze sundial buried, lost but not forgotten. Advised to rent a metal detector from WH Rental and report back on its effectiveness.

Tom Farquhar asked about black spot on roses that looks similar to black spot on peonies. Van Fleet roses are not affected. There are many sprays available and it was recommended that he not get complacent - use the sprays, clean off and dispose of the old leaves. It was mentioned that the peony blight isn't the same strain. Concerning peonies, the mounding of cow manure over winter is said to work.

Peter Conlon transplanted trees from a local grower of unblemished and unimpeachable reputation. Some trees thrived, some drooped and some died. A multitude of opinions clouded any clear reason for the scattered success of Peter's efforts. Buzz Hussman was the grower and it seemed that honor was preserved all around by blaming the summer's drought for any trees that did not do perfectly.

Helen Brooke Farquhar planted gladiola bulbs on the 1st of August - will they have flowers in time for her wedding on October 8? Answers include yes, no, and maybe-so-good-luck.

Ari Preuss asked whether bitter orange is good hedge material. Bitter orange was identified as Citrus Trifoliata, alias the Monkey-free Tree, as well as Christ's Crown of Thorns. It makes an excellent, impenetrable, handsome and formidable hedge. Free seedlings are available in abundance at Quailhill.

John Hartge asked about Polonia Trees and where to get them. Musser Forests carry them. They are not expensive but require care to get started which is fairly irritating because they spread naturally like weeds. Under ideal conditions they provide marketable lumber in 15 years. More information is available from the University of Maryland.

Tom Farquhar mentioned Parks Whopper as a variety of cucumber that won't wilt.

The hour was late and we put a close on a delightful evening. It was lovely to have so many past members present and we thanked every one for making this gathering extra special. We bit adieu to our hosts and agreed to meet for our October meeting at Riverside on October 4th.

H/10/1988-2-

October 4, 1988; page 2

Mention was made of the "dishrag gourd" which we assumed to be what we call the luffa sponge.

Forethought told us that we should still feed broccoli and brussel sprouts. Cut and dry sunflower heads. Plant rhubarb, asparagus, shallots, spinach, and onions. Brookside gardens says to burn tomato, pepper, eggplant, and cabbage plants in cleaning up the garden - do not compost them. You can still divide peonies. Water roses and evergreens if dry. Deadhead everything but leave greenery until frost. Plant roses. Dig up chrysanthemums and bring inside. Plant fruit trees. Put trunk protectors on young trees. Fertilize lawns with 10-6-4 mix.

Meteorologist report indicated 2.68 inches of rain from 4 or 5 storms. September's high was 89 degrees on the 23rd - 74 being the average high. September's low was 43 degrees on the 15 and 16th - 53 being the average low.

Exhibits From Roslyn came a magnificent eggplant, eggs, tomatoes, a sweet potato, and some lovely flowers. The Earps brought a large and dramatic looking airplant, gladiolus, dahlias, a colchicum, a begoia, and a chrysanthemum. Amersley offered up anemone, foxglove,asters, chrysanthemums, nicotiana, tradescantia, a gruss an Aachen rose, zinnias, sedum, and a cleome. Clifton bought radicchios.

The Bird Report mentioned a crow with a distinctive call that's partly tame and hanging out at Sandy Spring Friends School. The varmint has become quite popular with the population there who has named it Elvis.

Committee reports drew attention to the Redundancy Committe who had nothing to report.

New Business announced with great regret and sadness that this was the last meeting for the Conlons who were moving to Colorado. The painstakingly arranged Sandy Spring Horticultural Society schedule for 1989 was announced amid groans and lamentations that fell on deaf ears. An malevolent silence emanated from Elizabeth Thornton who was chosen by irreversible mistake to be our first reader.

Questions Peter Conlon says he has slugs devouring his chrysanthemums. It was reccomended that he put on or more of the flowing

H/10/1988-3-

October 4, 1988; page 3

around the plant's base; sharp sand, wood ashes, barber shop sweepings. Also suggested sotto voce was to move to Colorado. Nancy Chance has lots of earwigs. Suggested she throw out mulch and start again. Perhaps put black plastic over it all for a few weeks which might sterilize it. Perhaps burn the mulch. Perhaps try something and report back. Lydia Haviland wanted to know if Francis Miller's house and Sweetbriar was built by the same person. No. Mr. Thomas built Sweetbriar and Francis Miller's came considerably latter as an original Sears prefab built about 60 years ago. Tom Farquhar is plagued by crabgrass - can anything be done about it? Crabgrass pre-emergence killer recommended. Also does anyone want to combine an order of Gopher-its? They might be cheaper by the half dozen.

Peter Conlon added that a visit to the newly refurbished Union station is well worth a trip.

A final comment was made on Eli Roger's grape squeezings. The experts were shaken awake. Their opinion was that it was of a nice color, captured light well, fruity yet dry, a pleasure of any refined palate.... without a doubt, a wine any vintner would be proud to serve.

On that note we thanked John and Ellen for hosting the meeting. We wished one another a healthy and prosperous fall and winter and agreed to meet on April 4th at Lea House to begin our 126th season.

H/6/1987-1-

June 2, 1987

The third meeting of our 184th year was held at Jack Pine, home of Susan and Tom Canby. It was a lovely spring evening and the Society was near fully represented. Jack Pine is a most enjoyable contradiction - the neatness and ambitiousness of the grounds and projects ranging from stone walls, irrigation systems and a volleyball court indicated the principals are an exhausted and harried pair living in a house constantly in a state of shortchange. Instead there is a welcome atmosphere of order and ease and the Canbys exude a relaxed elegance with an embracing hospitality.

The guests for the evening were Louise Canby and Lisa Ritter.

After the minutes from April were read, the voluteer article was announced forgotten. Susan Canby rescued the moment with an article on the virtues of workgloves from the Green Mountain Glove Company of Randolph, Vermont. They are alleged to be the best gardening gloves, indeed the finest work gloves available. They are made from only the best full grain goat hide and are more expensive than cloth, pig skin or cow hide gloves. However, because of the 100% nylon stitching, superior design, and supple yet rugged qualities of goatskin they are an investment worth making.

Following the goat glove treatise the minutes from 100 years ago were read. The meeting had been at Avelon and the temperature at noon had been 78 degrees. Once again our Society ancestors amazed us with reports of size and abundance of their vegetables. There were familiar questions concerning asparagus and strawberries. The report of the chicken flocks emphasized the importance of a fowl population as a fair source of protein.

The exhibits included; Columbine, campanula, peonies, heliotrope, and evening primrose from the Chances. coral bells, meadowsweet, primrose, irises, garden valerian, yellow and calico yarrow, a peony, 3 roses (thornless, Dr. Van Fleet, and sweetbrick), from Clifton. Tarragon mint, sweet woodruff, white iris, chive blossoms, honesty/money plant/lunaria, lovage and lemon balm from Lea House. Coreopsis, love in a mist, tritoma, gaillardia, veronica, and a Dr. Van Fleet rose from Riverside. A lovely assortment of lettuce and a peony from Rose Hill. Boston, iceberg, redleaf and romaine lettuce from the Cedars. Clematis, columbine, a rose, gardenia, iris, alpine rosy bells, sunny tivinkles, and heliotrope from the Earps.

The forethought advised us to plan moving strawberry plant every 3 years. Begin taking measures against apple maggots. Replant onions. Plant brussel sprouts. Use companion plantings to encourage growth and vigor. We were also advised to check the toxicity of insect and fungus sprays as substances once thought of as relatively benign are now found to be tenacious and harmful.

Peter Conlon, our meteorologist reporter, arrived 3/4 of the way through the meal but brought with him the report on both April and May. April had 3.8 inches of rain and had a high temperature of 80 on the 22nd and a low of