Horticultural Society

H/7/1964 -2-

Ethel Thomas, a guest, read a volunteer article on fragrant trees and shrubs, which reminded us of the delightful scents we get from honey locust, magnolias, bushhoneysuckles, lilacs, mock orange, sweet shrub, the smoke tree, sweet briar roses, and many others, such as perrenial heliotrope, lemon verbenna, day lillies, nicetiana (annual); the new roses are not as fragrant as the older ones.

Another volunteer article reminded us of the great peace that can be enjoyed in summer, if you will only let yourself. Your secretary believes that it was Francis Thomas who suggested that may en the joy of , sitting under a tree, of watching a boat in the distance, of listening to the lap lap of water, listenning to the joyous cries of children voices of children. This is good medicine for a day or so, or a week or so, but it is important to change your attitude and get a sense of values to really enjoy these things. Then one's own backyard can produce the same effect as a vacation in a distant place. But he reminded us it is not easy to take a vacation at home when you do all these things you do not have to do on top of all the things you think you have to do.

Douglas gave us his weather report for Jube June The highest tempteraturewas 93 June 30; 1 year ago it was 92, in 1960 88; He told us that the world is getting warmer; average high was 81, last year 80. Total rainfall was 2 3/4 inches; the average rainfull is 5 inches. In June 1963 we had 8.39 inches of rain in 1962 4.8 inches, in 1930 3.7 inches; 1960 was bad but this year is worse. Mr. Iddings commented that it was so dry that even wineberries were dying. Helen Farquhar reported that the holihocks were not blooming. The lack of rain seemed not to have affected Jack and Helen's peas; they had shelled 6 3/4 ga gallons of peas

Grace read a [?] of exhibits which considering it drouth were surprising in number.

Birds: Jack saw 20 baby quails, led by the parent; Marryy Redding saw a squirrel chasing a partridge.

Under unfinished business it was moved seconded and passed that the Secretary cast a unanimous vote electing Dale and Allan Thomas to membership. Jack reported that Sylvia +Dick Woodward would like to come back into Horticulture. It was suggested that he go over our quotea if necessary to have them

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/4/1966-3. 4-5-1966 Page 3

Lucy Manning's Mahonia plant seems to be drying up, does it need water? All kinds of conditions cause failure before bees fly.

John Weske: Do mice like Bloodroot? No, its just too early. What is the best method for him to use on his annual boxes in the house, Peat Moss or white sand? No real answer, but moisture can be retained under plastics. Petunias need moisture and to be watched once a day. Spagnum moss can be used also. Pete would use Hutton steamed garden soil. He has a 1920 washing machine that steams a full wheelbarrow load at a time.

Miss Hunter says that England has too much water and they have difficulty finding plants to grow in water.

Helen Farquhar noted that Edward Iddings exhibit was left out of the list and it should be shown. It turned out to be a beautiful Waxplant, a member of the Tropical Asclepias family.

Caroline Hussman has an overgrown Yew bush, should she cut or prune it? It can be moved and some do prune theirs every year. In England they shape their Yew hedges. Can you suit your own eye until growth comes in? Yes, cut vigorously and shape to suit self.

Dale Thomas wanted to know if anyone had used liquid kelp? No one had any experiences yet, but let her try it and tell us.

Betty Ligon asked about Alan's indoor tomato plants. They are tropical tree tomatoes, and supposedly will bear delicious fruit in another year. He has his fingers crossed.

Dorothy Weske suggested keeping scrapbooks on our Forethought. The group decided it was not feasible now. She told of the people in Utah eating no greens, generally existing on meat, potatoes, corn.

Ulric Hutton told of the Jimson Weed poisoning of children. It seems that certain Tennessee nurseries were grafting tomato plants on the Jimson weeds, which is definitely poisonous to people. This topic created a lively discussion and description of the poisonous weeds around here.

The President finally adjourned the meeting 9:40 pm to meet again in May at The Windrush, with Commander and Mrs Clive Lawrence in Burtonsville.

Alan F. Thomas, Secretary

H/5/1966-2-

5-3-1966 Page 2

In the absence of Douglas Farquhar, the Secretary read his weather report for April. The lowest temperature of 31° occurred both on the 5th and the 6th, while the average low was 39°. On the 21st the therometer went up to a high of 48°dx for the month. Seventeen different days of rainfall gave us a respectable amount of 4.05 inches for the month.

Our Assistant Secretary, Grace Thomas, reminds all of us to please make a list of what each family brings for exhibit. During this evening she was able to gather this much of an incomplete list: Pansies from the Canbys, an assorted bouquet from the Ligons, another assortment from Edward Iddings, and Rhubarb from the Wilsons, also with a box of Sedum and tomato plants. Dale and Alan brought Coleus, Snapdragons and Kale, while the Mannings had five kinds of Narcissus, some Phlox and Snowflakes, Pansies and a Wood Hyacinth.

On Birds: Wendy Lawrence has humming birds here, and the Ligons have seen humming birds with their wrens. Dorothy Weske had picked up a wounded or stunned sparrow which seemed to have banged against their window. She fed it for a while and later it flew away. Rose Hutton and Dale Thomas both have heard Whip-Poor-Wills close by.

There seemed to be no committee reports, most probably due to a lack of committees. However, there was a discussion on the possible use of the money just collected for club dues. John Weske thought of Wisteria climbing up different city buildings and suggested that we might do the same for Sandy Spring Post Office. More cleaning-up and beautifying possibilities were named, but finally it seemed to suit the majority to wait until we could plant an Evergreen or two on the site of the new Hospital.

Questions: Wendy Lawrence was very thankful for today's sunshine. She had dug up some parsley plants and wanted to know if they would continue to grow when replanted. Yes, for awhile, but most likely they will go to seed soon.

Clive Lawrence had borrowed a specimen of the "Luffa" Sponge Squash to show everyone. This Chinese type of gourd is an annual that does not survive the frost. The outer rind can be removed by soaking in water, then the fruit is dried so that the seeds shake out.

Rose Hutton wants to know the size of the opening in a wren house? The size of a twenty-five cent piece is right, and for Bluebirds one would use a fifty-cent piece, with no perches on either.

Liz Canby has plenty of Rhubarb now from the seed sown last June at their new home. The secret is to use plenty of manure.

Bea Wilson asked was the profuse plant in the Lawrence garden that attracted everyone's attention? It is "Bocconia" and they are afraid it is becoming a menace, a threat instead of a treat. Walter Wilson was enjoying this beautiful place "without question".

John Weske told of the small Lupins, with small blue flowers, growing down in parts of Texas where he had been. His son was so fond of the old-fashioned untouched prairies in Southwestern Oklahoma, where the buffalo herds roamed, along with western longhorned

H/5/1966-3. 5-3-1966 Page 3

cattle and prairie dogs, between Lawton and Wichita, Falls, Texas.

Having recently returned from visiting her daughter in Oklahoma City, Dale Thomas brought back some little plants of the very fragrant night blooming lily family, which they called "Jimson Weed". Would this be the same poisonous "Jimson Weed" referred to in last month's Horticultural minutes, and would it become a pest if planted in this neighbourhood? No one seemed to be familiar with this plant.

Mary Reading Miller explained that her Nandina plant finally turned out all right after appearing to be frostbitten on one side.

Edward Iddings had missed seeing Queen Anne's Lace this year and thought perhaps he was too late for it.

The Hartshornes expressed thorough enjoyment of the meeting.

Clive Lawrence wanted to know if anyone had seen the recent Meteor? There were about three reports in the neighborhood. There were many newspaper accounts of people located in various NorthEastern States who had seen the Meteor around 8pm. There were all kinds of descriptions, from red flares to trailing blue and green lights and flashing ionization.

The President had no question, but the Secretary wanted to know which riding lawn mower the Society could recommend? Several membeers had used and suggested the Mark 26, which is currently on sale by the Hechinger Company.

The meeting adjourned at 9 : 25 pm, to meet in June with Jack and Helen Bentley at Oakley.

Alan F. Thomas

Alan F. Thomas, Secretary