Horticultural Society

H/9/1966-1-

September 5-1966 - In our 103rd Year At The Cedars with Douglas and Helen Farquhar

Again we come together at "The Cedars", where I've heard it said that as many as 87 people have gathered here for one of our very early meetings, in the days when the hostess provided the dinner for everyone who attended. What else can be said about "The Cedars" hospitality that has not already been said throughout the years, where each generation has proved itself more gracious than the past? Your Secretary has always enjoyed his share of many happy hours within these walls, and I am sure that most of the social organizations of our neighborhood have been honored with the same privileges during the last century.

It is also clear in my mind that those of us who wandered around the grounds before and after supper, were not thinking of the effects of this summer's drought. Instead, our memories were recalling the amazingly beautiful flower gardens, which responded so well to "Nennie's" tender loving care, and the perfectly kept green lawns which were "Granddaddy's" pride and joy. In fact, the old Sandy Spring baseball diamond, in the lower part of the pasture, came in for its share of nostalgia, as we almost reluctantly returned to the present meeting at 7:45 pm.

Our President Ulric Hutton greeted the guests: Mrs Ethel F. Thomas, Mr Norman Sweetzer, Mrs Margaret F. Adelfio and several grandchildren named Adelfio. We noted that the absentees were the Goffs, The Hussmans, Claire Hutton and the Weskes. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and accepted.

Having no unfinished business of any importance, it was decided to wait until the end of the meeting to see the slides of the Lawrence's trip to England. Bea Wilson's forethought is still requesting rain, but if you have any well left, water your trees and bushes. Spray for mildew and reseed your lawns, but don't do any serious fall planting until after it rains.

Douglas Farquhar claims that because of his "retiring disposition" his weather report has nothing encouraging to offer. August's high temperature was 87° on several days, making an average of 83° vs 81° last year, altho official releases gave 59 or 60 summer days over 90°, the highest record of any heat wave since 1872. Low was 57°, giving an average low of 64° vs 62° last year. August 1965 gave us 11 inches of rain, but hold on to your cups, August 1966 total rainfall was .9 of an inch!

Grace Thomas read the list of exhibits as follows: from the Huttons came a Franklinia plant, Anthony Waterer Spirea, Golden Rain Tree seed pods and Kousa Dogwood seeds; The Bentleys brought peppers and tomatoes; the Ligons had a pretty Lycoris; Dale Thomas brought a Datura or Jimson Weed grown from plants collected when visiting Oklahoma City last Spring and your Secretary read an appropriate description of the "Datura" plant from the Encylopedia Americana, copy of which is attached to these minutes. The Canbys, whose splendid efforts and unlimited water supply out-did us all, brought this imposing list: lima beans, slicing cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, tomatoes, curly kale, smooth kale, collards, eggplant, beets, peppers, potatoes, lettuce, parsley, rhubarb and snap beans.

H/9/1966-2

9-5-1966 Page 2

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA AMERICANA

DATURA - A genus of the potato family, represented in the United States chiefly by coarse weeds naturalized from tropical America. Jamestown or Jimson weed is said to have received its name from a poisoning that occurred from its use by the settlers of Jamestown, Virginia.

It is also called thorn-apple, and found in waste places the eastern seaboard west to Minnesota and Texas. The purple thorn-apple or purple Datura Stramonium is also found in the same region. An extract from these plants is used in medicine. When taken internally it is a powerful narcotic; medically used in mania, convulsions, epilepsy, etc. When smoked it palliates the symtoms in asthma. Seeds of some species were used by the aboriginal Americans as norcotics, and are said to have produced the frenzied ravings of the priest in the Delphic and some other temples.

The Peruvians use for the same purpose Datura Sanguinea, manufacturing from it also an intoxicating beverage. Some plants are cultivated for their showy flowers.

Bea Hutton has 2 or 3 families of Baltimore Orioles at her home. The Bentleys, and others, have many coveys of Quail, while President Ulric reported 13 quail eggs in one nest on his place. Ellis Manning III has Bluejays nesting for the second time at his home in town.

Starting the question period, Helen Farquhar remarked that she was very busy getting her grandchildren ready for school, and was also wondering why the flowerin- dogwood seems to be dying. Injuries caused by lawnmowers could allow for some deterioration, but we all hope next Spring's fertilizer will help the trees.

Dale Thomas commented further on the Datura plant, wondering about its possible poisoning effects; which led Clive Lawrence to mention that the first potatoes grown in England, sent from the colonies by Sir Walter Raleigh, were also poisonous. It was also pointed out that rhubarb leaves and elderly polk plants are sometimes poisonous.

Clive Lawrence asked: what perennials can be grown in this arid County during the summer? Mostly shrubs, particularly the Anthony Waterer Spirea, and Sunflowers. Mother Thomas mentioned her single remarkable sunflower, 10 feet tall with 11 separate big blooms; and the Ligons are raising 1/4 acre of them for the birds.

Rust Canby reminded us that not enough attention is paid to the location and mulching of plants. The addition of cottonseed meal into the ground is very effective, and mulch is so important to change the flow of rain water and hold the moisture. He planted potatoes as usual on March 15th, which produced beautiful plants in 6 weeks, but no tubers by July 1st. Plenty of water since then has brought a good supply, evidenced by his exhibit.

H/4/1965-1April 1965 IN THE 102ND YEAR

HORTICULTURE opened its 1965 season with a meeting at Springdale with Ellis and Lucy Manning, April 5th. Francis Thomas, our vice president presided the absence of Jack Bentley. After suggesting that Spring is really here when Horticulture meets he most graciously welcomed our guests Mr. and Mrs. Janney, Helen Moore, Dorothy Wetherald and the youngest Ellis Manning.

Following the reading and approval of the minutes of the meeting of last October, Francis announced that it was election night. The slate suggested by the nominating committee was unanimously accepted; Ulric Hutton, President, Francis Thomas, vice-president, Alan Thomas, Secretary. The new officers were welcomed by Francis, who turned over his office to the new President; because Alan was to substitute as reader for Dale, Lucy was impressed to take minutes one more meeting. It was suggested that a letter be written to Jack Bentley regretting his absence at the April meeting and expressing our appreciation for his service as president; WHICH WAS DONE AND COPY ATTACHED.

Alan suggested that his showing of pictures be placed at the end of the meeting; therefore volunteer articles wereNOT TO SPOIL THE CANDLELIGHT DECOR called for. Mary Moore Miller summarized an article from the star regarding the progress being made in controlling dutch elm disease. Chicken supplemented this by mentioning an article that came out in the weekly reader along the same lines, and showing pictures of the process. By injecting a chemical into the sap of the elm tree the bark beetle is poisined before he poisins the tree. This article and the weekly reader are attached to these minutes. Bea Wilson gave us good advice; plant everything now; feed your lawn. She mentioned some tantilizing new seeds and answered the question raised some time ago regarding the cutting back of rhododendrons - cut back to a few inches of the ground if you wish.

Douglas gave us a weather report of the period since the last meeting. Mean temperatures in March were much lower than a year previous. 20 inches of rainfall fell for the past 6 months, as against 19 a year earlier This is a little less than the desirable average. Exhibits were surpisingly beautiful - specimen tulips, jonquils and geraniums. Helen and Douglas brought a tomato plant and Ulric and Rose a lovely fan tail willow.

As usual, Horticulture had wonderful bird stories; the robbins had eaten all the berries off Walter's hollies; sparrows are taking over blue bird nests; some one told a delightful story of a bluebird who took over a paper box and the accommodating paper man put up a new box. Francis thought that the geese on the Eastern shore had not left for northern vacations; he had seen a group of Canadian geese and a little space apart white swans.

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According to this author, herbs are a necessity for a salad, and the very best oil must be used. Even better than the best olive oil is good walnut oil, if you know where to get it.

There were no further volunteer readers, so Bea Wilson our Forethought lady, advised us to continue planting gladiolus, spraying the azaleas and boxwood, plant your potted rose bushes outside and prine your spring flowering plants. She also gave suggestions how to get rid of your old stumps, and might even have one burning for us when we meet there next time.

Douglas Farquhar's weather report showed an average high of 77_o for May, while the highest temperature of 88_o was on May 27th. The lowest reading was 42_o on May 30th, which gave an average low for the month of 55_o. Mean temperature for May 1965 was 66 compared with 64 a year ago. Measurable rain fell on 11 days totaling 2.51 inches this year vs. 5 days and .52 inches last year. Total rain this year to date is 17.38 inches.

Our assistant Secretary, Wendy Lawrence read the list of exhibits: The Woodwards brought Iris and Peonies; Dorothy Weske brought roses and the Millers has Pansies and Radishes. Helen Bentley surprised us with the first green Peas, 2 kinds of lettuce and some asparagus. Bea Wilson brought Foxglove, Lupin, and Jack-in-the-Pulpit. The Lawrences had Pansies and Pink Rose, while Bea Hutton brought a Crimson Star Clematis.m Alan and Dale Thomas brought salmon colored Oriental Poppies, Pink Shirley Poppies, and plants of the Large Yellow Jubilee Tomato, Green Globe French Artichoke, Straight Yellow Squash, Bibbs and Salad Bowl Lettuce. The Mannings had a Climbing Hydrangea and a Cornus Kousa. The Farquhars' garden at the Cedars produced Asparagus, Lettuce, Rhubarb, Strawberries, Radishes, Parsley, Onions and a Peony.

Some of us took up bird watching while dining, as a pair of Phoebes were busy feeding their young in a nest in the corner of the glass transom over the door. Flora Goff suggested that her bluebirds were "people watchers", as they often sat on the fence seeming to watch the Goffs go about their daily chores. These birds had just finished hatching and weening one brood before being disturbed by the cherry pickers. She expects them to return to raise another brood, unless the wrens take over the nest. Wendy Lawrence reported seeing baby Kingfishers in the middle of Bethlehem, Penn., and your secretary remarked that some baby swallows had just hatched out in the nest over the Insurance Office front door.

Lucy Manning was asked to comment further on her "roadside clearance" project. It was thought that trash collection could best be handled by extra taxes for that purpose. Edward ziddings helps keep the road clean between his place and Sandy Spring, but he does not collect taxes, only tin cans. Dorothy Weske had taken the time to write to the governor, and it was thought that several individual letters to the Governor or even to Mrs Johnson, would have more effect than just one letter from the Secretary.

Questions: Betty Ligon wanted to know the name of the Wildflower place in Pennsylvania. It is called Wake Robin in the village of Home.

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PeteLigon: To avoid some wormy pests, should he cut his asparagus down or not? A wide variety of answers were given, but most felt that DDT spray after the next-door strawberries were through bearing would give the best results. To prepare for a better bed later, the young roots should be dug and replanted much deeper.

Flora Goff deplores the results of the cutworms on her place. Most people would use paper collars, or milk carton collars, around the plants, and some said chlordane spray would be effective. She also wanted to know why her 9-year-old cherry trees have not borne fruit yet. Possible cold and frost conditions at the wrong time , of the lack of pollinators would be the answer. If she is still concerened about her cats climbing the trees, newspaper collars around the trees would probably stop them.

Dorothy Weske wanted to know the name of the Red Rambler which she brought. Its either Blaze or Red Climber. Is Dreer's Nursery still going? Yes. Dorothy then gave us all an invitation to visit the Weske's garden on Sunday June 20th from 4 to 7, in honor of their 30th wedding anniversary two days hence.

Dick Woodward: What kind of roses are to the left of the driveway? They are just called "Ground Cover".

Edward Iddings asked what to do about getting rid of the poison ivy vines. Use a brush killer or various sprays, but most of us just try to dig it up completely or use heavy clippers on the roots.

Clive Lawrence asked if the stinging nettle plant was growing in the neighborhood. Only rarely, along the river banks or in the marshy places, and Dale Thomas had just seen some along the Shenandoah River at Harpers Ferry.

Sylvia Woodward passed around an onion-like plant for identification. The consensus of opinion was Allium.

Lucy Manning wanted to know if the Artichoke exhibit would be edible when grown. Yes, the buds could be eaten while tender, and some said that a great deal of it was grown for that purpose in Northern New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The Society was adjourned at 9:25 pm to meet with the Walter Wilsons at Bien Venu in July.

Alan F. Thomas

Alan F. Thomas, Secretary