Horticultural Society

August 1st- 1967

GREAT EASE with Garland and Elizabeth Ligon

It was rather cloudy- and quite warm when we met at Great Ease- abd after enjoying the extensive gardens- bother flower and vegetable we also enjoyed the usual good dinner.

We were called to order at the usual time by our President Ellis Manning- who greeted our new members, William and Zela Heckendorn- and out guests, Bob and Nell Johnsen-

The minutes of the July Meeting were read and approved.

Alan Thomas had for his selected article one of #Fragrance in the garden", from Taylor's Garden Guide. The use of perfume is ancient- the Arabs and Persians of the early day having the banquet floors strewn to the depth of the wine glass with fragrant rose petals. And so through the ages gardens have been cultivated for their seetness as well as beauty. The fragrant night garden is especially desirable- many of which are white- many familliar flowers were named, but we also contributed several not named by Mr.Taylor. Many of the most common fragrants are used and blended for the ingredients for the expensive perfumes. He outlined a method for "do it" yourself" perfume to be made at home- but we decided to economize on something else, and continue to buy our perfume. onimize on something else, and continue to buy our perfume. Many reminiscences and comments followed this interesting article.

Caroline Hussman read an article from Dr. Seibert of Longwood Gardens about smog and its effect on gardens and trees- which is not good. He listed some which seen impervious to it.

William Heckendorn told of the research the Space Program is doing to reconstitute the ir in the big labs reaching for the moon.

Douglas Farquhar reported the average high temperature for July was 81, the highest being 88 and the low55- with mesurable rain on 1/4 days totaling 5.5 inches.

Mary Moore Miller, Assistant Secretary, told us there were exhibits from:- Rocky Ridge, The Cedars, The Highlands, The Cottage, Oakwood, Bien Venu, Claire and Bea Hutton- and from the Heckendorns a most beautiful fasket with many varieties of lettuce. Mary Moore had an apple she wanted identified and after sampling it Betty Ligon diagnosed it summer rambo.

Dorothy Weske is, for the third year , enjoying a nest of Phoebes,and is especially entertained by the attention of the father.

QUESTION: Clematis can be cut back in the fall to a footand dead dead wood should be cut out at any time- however it does not have to be cut back unless it has become unsightly.

John Weske's peach trees have so many other trees around them that they are growing too tall- when should he trim them - This should be done in the late winter.

Plant strawberries the last of August.

Buz Hussman spoke of the very large trees which are being moved- and which has prompted him to consider putting out a grove to cultivate for the sale- he asked the opinion of the club- and asked for suggestions of varieties. It met with general approval- and several kinds were were recommended- but he was advised to get in contact with The Maryland Department off Forests and Parks.

Dale Thomas asked about putting grass clippings on the compost. It is all right, but watch out for spontanious combustionespecially if the pile is near a building.

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Lucy Manning wanted to know if asparagus broke where it was tender, and should it be cut or broken from the bed? She was told it should be cut with a knife just below the ground, then it could be broken wherever it could be for use in cooking.

Betty Ligon: Can African violets be started by leaves? Some say yes, some say no. Is it worth while to build Martin houses? Definitely yes; they always become populated wherever used.

Harry Goff remarked on the beautiful holly trees in Jack's grove; how does he raise them so nice and thick and where could I get some? Jack says that pruning makes them thicken up right, and he sells cuttings for Christmas time. Harry says he wants the big ones fully grown, so our President says he has the big ones for sale but they would be very expensive.

Speaking of pruning, reminded Rose Souder of the effective and easy pruning done for us this year by the freezing weather on the Azaleas. She wondered if it didn't leave the remaining flowers much larger. Lucy Manning's white azaleas, the Snow variety, were not so good this year, but it may have been because there were too many lace bugs.

Harry Goff mentioned the collection of the Montgomery General Hospital's Building and likened it to a slow growing tree. Many people have spent much time and effort already in raising the amount of $582,000 pledged to date, but it may take several years to go over the neccessary million dollar mark just to get started.

Mary Moore Miller informed us that the new Sandy Spring Civic Group would be having its next meeting at the Community House on next Wednesday evening. The theme would be planning housing improvement and modernizing, while trying to maintain low density of housing units around Sandy Spring.

There being no further questions, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm, to meet in July with Dale and Alan Thomas at Rocky Ridge.

Alan F. Thomas, Secretary

H/7/1966-1-

July 5-1966 - In our 103rd Year At Rocky Ridge with Dale and Alan Thomas

To those of you who visited Rocky Ridge for the first time, we hope you liked what you saw, but we'd like to remind you that it was not always thus. During the very early years of this century, this Groomes' property was known as "Grape Valley Farm" and even as late as the Thirties and Forties, the productivity and beauty of the Groomes' fields and garden was the pride of Sunshine. However, the sun has a habit of setting once in awhile, so that during the Fifties while the property was owned by a "city" family, without the knowledge or proper care of "country" living, the place became dreary and forlorn. In fact, the front yard and beautiful gardens were fenced in and used for a barn yard for cattle, sheep and swine.

The place was so barren when we came here in 1960 that we began planting right away. Practically all the small trees, fruit trees, evergreens, bushes and flowers were planted by us, so that by the time you come around again, we hope we will have a much better showing. Maturally, we were very pleased to have you visit, and the food you brought for pot-luck was absolutely delicious and too much.

President Ulric Hutton managed to get us all together in one small room at 7:55 pm, and welcomed our guests, the two Mothers-in-Law, Mrs Sarah Mannakee and Mrs Ethel Thomas, and our daughter, Mrs Dale T. Trott from Baltimore. We were sorry that the President's little granddaughter had to leave too early to make everyone's acquaintance. The Farquhars are still away visiting the British Isles, but several cards have inquired about the Horticultural Society and they expect to return in time for the next meeting; also absent were the Hussman's, Claire Hutton and the Ligons.

The Secretary looked around in vain for a substitute to take minutes at his own meeting, but there seemed to be an emphatic negative response. The previous minutes were read and accepted.

The subject chosen for the evening by Bea Hutton was "Trees Do Grow Fast" and proved to be a very interesting account by Sam Hemming of the growth habits of various kinds of trees. The life span of most trees is about the same as man, 70 to 100 years, while going thru practically the same stages as Juvenile, Youthful, Maturity and Old Age. One of the exceptions would be our own Maryland Wye Oak, now estimated to be 450 years old. A wide variety of trees mature between 25 and 35 years old, maybe 3 to 4 feet in diameter and up to 75 feet high. Guessing the age of trees has proven very hard to do without an actual cut, as some are very erratic. The oaks seem to be the largest, the early chestnuts were good, but a Chinese Elm is very erratic and usually of very poor quality. A Carolina Popular can reach four feet thick in about 65 years, while the pines and the soft woods are generally the most rapid growers.

Bea Wilson's Forethought sounded like she meant for us to plant perennials, pick off all faded flowers, get rid of poisons but spray plenty of DDT around, trim and prune bushes and fruit, divide Oriental Poppies and Iris, enrich your soil with bonemeal and make your last planting of Glads.

There was no real weather report, except that everyone note that Summer has come in with a heat wave. It has been over 90° almost every day this summer. Many cities are having record highs.

(105th year) H/4/1968-1April 2nd- 1968 MONTRESOR with Rust and Elizabeth Canby

It was a lovely, cool April afternoon when we gathered in this gracious, beautiful home for the first meeting of the year. Spring flowers were coming into bloom outside- and inside the arrangements were so lavish and beautiful. Spiraea, forsythia, daffadils- and camelias- the like of which we have not often seen in this locality. Friends from Takoma Park had brought them- and the profusion and color was indeed outstanding.

The members seemed also to out do themselves with the variety and deliciousness of the so called pot-luck dinner- and after enjoying it- and the pleasure of seeing each other againwe settled down for the meeting.

Our president, Ellis Manning called us to order around eight o'clock- and welcomed us for the new year, and the guests, Louise Canby and Nancy Canby to the meeting.

The minutes of the last meeting, in October, was read and approved.

Under unfinished business the secretary read the ByLaws as is usual at the April meeting.

Ulric Hutton had the selected article- one written by the mother of Anthony Trollop and published in Krutch's book: "The Gardeners World". She was rather disappointed on the whole with her vivit here in 1830. She did like the strawberries and peaches- but they were not so good as in England. She admired the wild flowers- especially the dogwood, locust bloom, poison Elder or sumac and the red-bud and others- but unfavorable comparison crept in very often. The lightening bugs and birds she admiredalso a profusion of fall woods flowers- with most of which she was not familiar- but declared no one she met knew them either!

For her forethought Sylvia Woodward told us to get the evergreens planted. Watch out for yellow streaked leaves on the jonquils and remove leaves- the plant if necessary. Spray Iris- and plant the first glads. Prune early blooming shrubs as soon as the flowers fade. Fertilize shrubs- sew batchelors buttons and larkspur also sweetpeas. If you want to g row your own tomato plants sow the seed now. Push mothballs into the ground around your crocus to keep the mice away- and she ended with an April Fool joke on us.

Our weather man, A. D. Farquhar gave us a rather detailed report covering somewhat the months we were not meeting. The high for October was78- and he recorded a low, in Jan. of -7. Several others reported a lower reading, William Heckendorn having seen-12. We had no record of the water level, but it is most certainly up.

Mary Moore, serving as Assistant Secretary reported exhibits, mostly flowers from:- The Huttons, Mt. Pleasant, Great Ease, The Cottage, The Highlands, Rocky Ridge, Springdale, Pine Hill Oakwood The Cedars, who also had Parsnips and Salsify-dug from the garden this afternoon- and from Spring Villa beautiful lush water cress. The arbutus from Pine Hill should also be especially mentioned- so lovely and becom ng increasingly rare.

Large flocks of geese have been seen. Some reported fewer birds this winter- others thought the normal numbers were with us. Of course it was a rather open winter. Various kinds of woodpeckers have been around- waxwings- a covey of partridges reported by Clair Hutton- and the usual old friends.

Roadside trash was again discussed. We will try to investigate to see if anything is being done- any collections being

H/5/1968-1Ulric and Rose Hutton's- May 7th- 1968

On a beautiful, rather cool May afterday, we gathered at the lovely home of Ulric and Rose Hutton in time to walk over the well kept, beautifully planted grounds.

The usual bountiful, delicious dinner was enjoyedand we were called to order by our president, Ellis Manning at about eight o'clock. After welcoming our guests- and former members- Jack and Brenda Janney the minutes were read and adopted.

The treasurer read the a nnual report-- rather briefBalance from last year $26.30- and the purchase of typwriter paper and cards amounting to $1.00 gave us a balance to start the year of $25.30. We were reminded that we decided some time ago to save our wealth until such time when we can give some planting material to the new hospital grounds. Dues were collected- amounting to $5.50- all members present having paid.

Under unfinished business we accepted with thanks, the invitation of William and Zela Heckendorn to meet with them in August- postponing the meeting at Rocky Ridge until next summerand asking members to make the adjustment on their schedules.

Some further discussion on the roadside trashbut nothing definate- and William Heckendorn will continue to look into it.

Flora Goff read, for her selected article, from The American Garden Book- an article by James and Louise Bush about Tuberous Begonias. Flora being ourauthority on these beautiful flowers, we were glad that these writers agreed with her. There is a wide color range- there are ruffled- double- trailing and small multiflower types. They do well in some shade- the ideal type being under trees where light filters thru. In pots or boxes they need strong light, but no sun. It seems most satisfatory for the amateur to purchase started plants each year- or at least new tubers, although some people have kept them over for a number of years, but the care and storage is guite a particular process. A very interesting and instructive article.

Douglas Farquhar, our weather man told us that April had a high of 80degrees and a low of 32. Total ra infall was 1.4 inches on 8 days. A light frost was reported at several homes this morning.

The Assistant Secretary reported exhibits from: The Cedars, Bea and Clair Hutton's Rocky Ridge. Great Ease, and Spring Villa.

We were sorry that two of our members, Rust Canby and Walter Wilson are sick- and the secretary was directed to write each of them a note, telling them we missed them- and hope to have them with us by next meeting.

QUESTIONS:- How long does one wait for a tree peony to bloom? Four or five years- there are different kinds.

Pete Ligon wanted to know how Ulric Hutton got such good soil- theirs is clay.Ulric uses saw dust in his Nursery Beds as a mulch- then puts it our on the garden. Sod turned over and allowed to rot makes the best improvement.

William Heckendorn has been thinking of a drive to have The Boy's Scouts organized to clean up the roadsides- and work out a way to salvage the cans and bottles collected. He will continue his research.