Horticultural Society

Forethought started the advice to trim evergreen candles to make the growth thicker...to block out the visual scourge of encroaching housing developments, for instance. We were told that nothing is dormant and that when transplanting, prune to balance root system and foliage. Don't cut bulb greens. Divide and replant spring blooming perennials. Spray peonies if necessary. Prune spiria drastically after blooming and prune magnolia sparingly. May is a good time to layer plants. Rhododendrons need a shot of holytone and need pruning after blossoming. Sendyour house plants out and cut your grass high. Be on the lookout for the Holly leaf miner - apply sevin or diazanon now and orthene in June. All veggies should be seeded or otherwise ensconced in the garden in May.

The forethought was followed by Peter Conlon's meteorological report. It was mentioned that on the Sweetbriar compound in Ashton the high for the Month was 79 degrees - 63 being the average high. The low was 30 degrees - 39 being the average low. April's rainfall was 3.04 inches. Peter also brought graphs detailing rain and snow fall as well as temperatures throughout the 1987-88 season. These will be entered with the minutes.

The exhibits came next: The Lawrences brough bellwort, juge, sweer woodruff, white and yellow violets, phlox, lunaria, sweetbria, dog wood, lilac, red bud, and apple blossoms. From Clifton came 2 kinds of forgetmenots (snowflake and lucage), columbine, lilac, pulmonaria (lungwort), lillies of the valley, bishop's cap, armeria, phlox dicaricata, and an unkown bulb flower. The Earps brought lilac, jack in the pulpit, primrose, scilla, wisteria, jacob's ladder, azalia, wood hyacinth, iris, daffodil, and lungwort. From Amersley came lilacs, tulips and azalea. The Chance's brought lilacs, tulips, bleeding hearts, clematis, daffodils, viburnum, dog-toothed violet, and virginia bluebells. Rose Hill offered wisteria, lilac (white and purple), redbud, bleeding heart (white and pink), columbine, and iris. Jackpine brought azaleas, bleeding heart, tulip, and a mysterious array of flora called "et al" The Cedars brought azaleas, dogwood, candytuft, tulips, mint, strawberry blossoms, bleeding hearts, and pansies. Riverside brought lilacs, tulips, wisteria, candy tuft, azalea, kerria, columbine, springwort, and chhives.

The questions opened with an inquiry on gypsy moth control. For the month of May a band of sticky tape (brand name Repel-3) around afflicted tree trunks was recommended. Caterpillars get hung up on the band where they can be killed and their progress thus arrested. Tent caterpillars were also inquired after. Their harmfulness was downplayed and if the colonies are out of reach they should be abandoned to the appetites of coocoos. Mary Seller asked after the least offensive and economical weed killer for lawns. Since the problem weedes included everything, some of the suggestion were to plow, pave, or turn the lawn over to an effortless meadow-in-a-can. On the other hand, Weed-be-gone or 2-4-D was mentioned.

H/6/1964-2-

Do this at once; one pound to every 10 feet. The President mentioned the loss of the early minutes which will prevent us from hearing the reading of some early meetings. He called for an volunteer article. Lucy volunteered with an article on chickweed, from Florence Ransome's "British herbs". regarding which a question was raised at the last meeting. Chickweed is one of world's earliest pot herbs. It is also good for chicken pheasants and birds. In her forethought Bea suggested we prune trees now and cover scars divide and fertilize mums; Iris may be dividedl spray for borers. Use DDT Fertilize and water roses; Plant marigolds in front of daffodils Spray dogwood. Plant corn and beans through the month. Bea added 2 interesting news items (1) the story of an avocado tree growing in Alexandria 216 Washington Street; (2) the story about a bench donated to the Arboretum by a garden club. Grace reported on exhibits; Great Ease brought 12 varieties of roses, 6 irises of one kind; 3 peonies, as well as strawberries and asparagus. Chicken brought iris an peopnies. Rose and Pete brought cinquefoil, irish broom, clove pinks. The Lawrences brought a beautiful spray of laurel, theMannings asparagus and strawbrries.; Bea Hutton brought pink and purple clematis, and peace and confidence roses; The Canbys lettuce, onions, beets, cabbage, peas, rhubarb. Our weather expert, Douglas Farquhar brought over

H/8/1964-1-

The Huttons' Aug. 4, 1964

It is always a treat for the Horticultural Society to meet in the veritable Botanical Garden which surrounds this attractive home. The great variety and luxuriant growth on all sides as one walked over the grounds made "envy" come very near the surface for one person, and no doubt for many others present. The host's willing answers to the many questions enriched the experience for all of us. The food was varied and ample as usual and served its purpose in the hospitable setting provided by the hostess.

The minutes of 7-7-64 were read and approved after the regrets for her absence were expressed for the Secretary.

The President welcomed our guests,- Eleanor Miller Webb of Montclair, N. J. and Louise Kricker Megginson of Beaumont, Texas,-& Alan & Dale Thomas(hopefully to be new members)

Douglas Farquhar gave the Meteorologist's report for July: Highest 7-2- 92' Ave. high 84' (same high in '63) Lowest 7-5&10 58' Ave. low 66' ( low in '63 63) Mean temp. 75' Measureable rain on 8 days totalled 1.88 in. Most rain was on 7-13 .88 in. He added that 1-36 in. fell on 8-3-64.

Mary Moore Miller bowed out as a reader in favor of pictures to be shown by John Weske later in the evening.

Among the exhibits was an unusual spray of bocconia brought by the Lawrences. It has a feathery appearance and the seeds dry brown for winter making a nice dried plant for arrangements. In spite of fdry weather it has done well.

John Weske enjoyed seeing a mother and 5 wild ducklings near the road in a swamply section of Ohio. A scarlet tanager has been seen at Roslyn, blue birds at the Austin's(building in a Martin's box), two trumpter swans at Yellowstone Park (by Alan & Dale Thomas), purple martins in a wren house after the hole had been made larger by squirrels, at the Ligonss.

Questions: Ulric Hutton passed a piece of wood around the group for identification. Some guessed correctly,- holly. A comment in place of a question by a member that this place was "beyond description".

The Lawrences' crepe myrtle is 7 or 8 years old and has never bloomed. The answers were varied as to best conditions and he decided he might have to move to Richmond, Va. or the Eastern Shore of Md. with it to get it to bloom. He ^{claimed he} can cut it to the ground without harm to it. and Some colors are hardier than others.

Are bee stings good for rheumatism? Some believe it.

How do you get large blooms on roses? Feed every month and water freely.

Louise Megginson has two camillias-one lovely, one nearly dead. Try soluable fish fertilizer. on the weak one especially

Dorothy Weske wondered if Dreers Nursery is still in business. No one could tell her. She sees the blue morning glory leaves being eaten. No one could help her on this.

H/4/1966-1April 5-1966 - In our 103rd Year At The Highlands with Bob and Mary Reading Miller

Those of us who had been used to an older, much larger home at "The Highlands", including countless spacious rooms, many buildings, several children, various animals and expansive farm acreage, can be well content with what is now found at the new "Highlands". Here we find the same gracious hosts, the same warm welcome in new surroundings, the same lovely furniture and household appointments, the same evidences of good gardening and horticulture, and above all the same enjoyable hospitality.

Evidences of Spring were beginning to show everywhere, but the singing of our birds was somehow drowned out by the general hubub of our becoming acquainted again, catching up on the news and gossip after six months' vacation. After a tremendous dinner, our President Ulric Hutton called the Society together at 7:45 pm. He welcomed our visitor from England, Miss Hunter who is a guest of the Farquhars; and we noted the absences of the Bentleys, the Goffs, V. Hussman, Claire Hutton, the Lawrences and the Francis Thomases.

The minutes of our last meeting were read by the Secretary and accepted by the audience. He read a letter from Wendy Lawrence explaining their absence, due to her mother's illness neccessitating a last minute change in our meeting place, and expressing the hope of seeing us all at their place in May. A letter from the Mid-Montgomery County Jaycees received in November in reply to oursof September First, was read and discussed. The Weskes reported on having had bushels of cans picked up. Miss Hunter informed us that being a litter-bug is a "fine-able" offense in England. Caroline Hussman spoke of police trailing some people who threw out trash, and others mentioned various experiences. It was suggested that the Secretary acknowledge the Jaycees' letter.

Our Reader for the evening, Douglas Farquhar, is also our weather recorder and prophet, who delights in giving us an imposing array of "mean" and "cool" figures. He combined a great deal of both kinds, including rain and snow for the last six months, into the following abbreviated summary: Mean Temperatures were for Nov. 46°, Dec. 40°, Jan. 33°, Feb. 33°, and March 43°. Rainfall for Nov. 1.2 " " .3" " 1.5" " 2.5" " " .7", 1" snowfall in Dec., 29" in Jan. and 13" in Feb., both precipitants way below the normal. Temperatures by months for the last six years were given to show variations of only 5 or 6° at the most for each month. He predicted normal temperatures for April, with extra showers, while May would return to cool wet weather with frequent thunderstorms.

Douglas' daughter mailed him an article from the Baltimore Sun, which was very entertaining. The author got a jump on Spring by forgetting television, radio and all household chores, and concentrating on making plants grow and glow. His contemplation over tending his indoor plants, petunias, asters, platycodons, forget-menots; the use of special lights, particular care of sprouting grape cuttings; his excellent descriptions of daily happenings in the trays and the bright prospects of an excellent harvest, all this reminds us that something wonderful happens in Spring to everyone and everything.

H/5/1966-1-

May 3-1966 - In our 103rd Year At The Windrush with Clive and Wendy Lawrence

Hidden away in what was once the jungle of southwest Burtonsville on the original Burton farm, the Lawrences are to be complimented on finding and preserving such a unique and charming place. A hidden country lane breaks away from a very modern street scene into a vista of natural beauty, an abundance of wild flowers, sturdy trees, cultivated bushes and plants, with plenty of evidence of our hosts' tender loving care. Once inside the quaint old house, the many changes of the past ten years admirably reflect the decorative skill and personality of the Lawrences.

After most of us consumed more than our minimum requirements at the sumptious tables, our President Ulric Hutton called the Society to order at 7:50 pm. He welcomed William and Corrine Hartshorne, who were family guests of the Ligons; and we noted the absences of the Bentleys, the Farquhars, the Goffs and the Hussmans.

The Secretary read the minutes of the previous meeting, which were approved as read. These minutes included a tabled motion to change the wording of our 5th Resolution as follows: "Members should notify the hostess if they cannot attend a meeting". The President called for a vote on the question and the members present approved the resolution without dissent. The Treasurer's report was given and the annual dues were collected from those present.

Caroline Hussman, unavoidably absent at the last minute due to sickness in her young family, prevailed upon her kind neighbor, Rose Hutton, to present her reading for the evening, It was an appropriate article on Wild Flowers from an issue of the Horticulture Magazine in 1963, telling us how to collect wild flower seeds almost anywhere. All collections should be labled and the localities noted. Hold the seeds over winter, and try to plant in as near native soil as possible. The four "S's" in the SucceSSful Soil preparation are to: Sift, Save and Scatter soil and Separate plants after one inch of growth to 5 or 6 inches apart in their permanent place. Sometimes this takes two or three years to achieve results, but keeping the proper records, makes this task much easier. Our President suggested that planting would be better made in straight rows, with all labels kept up to date. The use of cinders to keep out worms and planting on the North side of the woods would help increase production.

Rose also presented an article from the Baltimore Sun, which concerned a diabolical plot to damn up the Colorado River at both ends of the Grand Canyon. This would appear to be in violation of the U. S. Park preservation laws. This plan to erect two damns defacing the Grand Canyon, would flood and drown out four billion years of geology. The Maryland Committee to Save the Grand Canyon feels it is important enough to try to notify everyone in the United States to register protests. Individuals may write to our own Eastern Shore Representative R. C. B. Morton, and it was suggested that the Secretary write a letter of protest for the Society.

Bea Wilson's "forethought" reminded us to set out our annuals and mulch the dogwood trees. It is time to divide your Shasta Daisies and finish pruning your flower bushes. Don't forget the second feeding of roses and to plant your "special" seeds.