Horticultural Society

H/7/1966-2-

7-5-1966 Page 2

Between them Mary Reading Miller and Grace Thomas made quite a show of reading the exhibits. Besides the Golden Rain Tree, the Crimson Star Clematis, Gloriosa Pansies, many Glads and Lillies, when Raspberries and Cantaloupes left in the refrigerator. You must have known we couldn't raise them this year.

Someone mentioned that unspoiled National Park land, Assateague Island, where large flocks of many types of birds gather and the Snow Geese come in aroundNovember First. Mary Moore Miller has at least 3 pairs of goldfinch. Mrs Mannakee put out samples of red, white and blue yarn for the birds to choose in building a nest. She had hoped that one of them would come up with a flag draped nest, but so far only some red yarn has been used; could they be colorblind? Liz Canby reported that the White Albino Cardinal is still around the neighoborhood, but has/yet decided/ not whether to settle down with Edith Thomas or Stella Moore. Dale and Alan have many pairs of birds here, wrens, jays, mocking birds, cat birds, robins, doves, quail, pigeons, starlings and several kinds of sparrows.

Dale Thomas started the question period with "Will Foxgloves and Canterbury Belles bloom after cutting"? Yes. Can you spray the Roses in this 90° heat? Yes, if you get to them early enough.

Your Secretary wanted to know how to kill these pesky trees you see coming up everywhere here and taking over the place? No easy way was mentioned; one could use axes, horses or goats, or just wait until the trees were big enough to make furniture out of them.

Mary Reading Miller asked if she could plant her perennial seeds in flats or could they go directly into the bed? The answer was "yeas" for either place, provided thy were in a shady place. For much better winter protection, flats should be broutht into the greenhouse. The President remarked that he found that weeds also grew in flats much faster than any seeds over planted.

Lucy Manning wanted to know if one could transplant Laurel in the Fall. Wait until early Spring for better results.

Mother Mannakee asked if trees were impregnated with dye, would it change the color of the leaves? No one seemed to know for certain, but the President reminded us that wood itself could be treated for different colors.

Mother Thomas has some very large boxwood bushes for sale. She should contact Gustin Gardens, or other reliable nursery.

Flora Goff is interested in starting Azalea cuttings. She should plant them in sand, away from sunlight, annd keep them damp.

Liz Canby asked if Azaleas needed the sunshine or the shade? Most everyone felt that these plants are better off in at least 3/4 shade, with a little sunshine for good blooming. There will not be as heavy blooms in all shade.

Edward Iddings wants help from anyone who does not take poison to pull up his poison ivy vines. He was reminded to use Brush Killer, which will get rid of everything around. Or if he

H/6/1968-1The Horticultural Society Meeting "The Highlands" with Bob and Mary Reading Miller June 4-1968

What is so rare as another delightful gathering in June at "The Highlands"? It was such excellent weather that we were reluctant to come inside for the usual sumptious repast. Some of us did enjoy our meal out on the porch, and almost everyone enjoyed another inspection of the gardens before we were called to order at 8:05pm.

President Ellis Manning welcomed our guests, Mrs Brewster and Mr Cannon, and then suggested that the Treasurer collect back dues. The Secretary read the minutes of the previous meeting, which were approved after a slight correction. She persuaded your former Secretary to take the minutes of this meeting at her home. Unfinished business produced no further report from William Heckendorn on the clearance of roadside trash and rubbish.

Betty Ligon, our reader for the evening, gave us many thought provoking hints to improve our gardening, from an article in the Reader's Digest on "Six Steps to a Green Thumb". We should learn to relax in our gardening; don't work too hard or spend too much money, it is not an occult science, so learn to be a general practitioner, instead of a specialist and you will have that much more fun. Do the work before you see the need for it; in other words, hit first in the Battle of the Bugs. Stick to a regular spray schedule and keep cultivating to control weeds. Learn the correct fertilization for each type of plant and also how to take care of the root system. After all gardening is just learning a few "tricks of the trade" and a "green thumb" is just a dirty thumb, plus a little common sense.

Betty also read us an excellent garden poem, which she wrote herself back in 1931, about her own home and garden experiences.

As an extra volunteer article, Alan Thomas read Life's account of Boston's TV Gardener, Thalassa Cruso, who conducts a gardening TV show in the same manner as Julia Child does her French cooking. The article gave many humorous hints on down-to-earth gardening.

Sylvia Woodward's forethought tells us to: spray iris with a sticky spreader liquid; prune the camelias; divide primroses; clean the blackspot from roses; help control weeds by applying a liquid poison to the leaves and not the ground; use open and airy mulches where needed; and start succession plantings and thinning of your vegetables.

Many people have wondered how wet and cold May was this year in comparison with last year. Douglas Farquhar's weather report showed that while the lowest temperature this year was 35 degrees compared with 38 degrees in 1967, the rest of the figures were higher this year. 84 degrees was the highest this year, against 82 degrees in 1967, and last year's mean temperature of 56 degrees increased to 62 degrees this year. Total rainfall on 15 different days this year measured 5.8" vs. 4.7" last year, but it still leaves us about 12" below normal for the year, which seems to be not so cold and wet after all.

Our Assistant Secretary for tonight, Mary Moore Miller, read a tremendous list of exhibits, including flowers, fruits and vegetables. Very fine specimens were received from both Hutton families, both Miller families, the Goff's, the Farquhar's, the Ligon's, the Heckendorn's and the Thomas's. We will not attempt to list everything, but will mention a few of specific interest. The Ligons had 39 varieties of flowers in one bouquet; Dale Thomas brought a tall spiked flower from her mother, Mrs Mannakee, which could not be named by anyone here; there was a robin's egg in the "Cedars" basket, and the Heckendorns

Elizabeth Ligon and Robert Miller for Nomminating Committee gave the following report:

President: Buzzy Hussman V. Pres: Alan F. Thomas Secy: Helen N. Farquhar

There being no nominations from the floor, this slate was voted for.

The Society's By Laws were read by the Secretary, as well as the Treasurer's report of $46.95 balance.

Betty Hartge's " selected article was from "Horticulture", entitled "The Hand of Man", giving helpful ideas on continuing the work of the wood - pecker in drilling a hole for his nest. With our tools, hands, rulers and paints, we are able to cater to individual species of birds helping them with their homes. Color does not make much difference, the blue birds prefer natural wood, and a box 4' to 8' above ground level, and no birds want light coming from the bottom of the box. Purple Martins need the encouragement of man-built houses.

Elizabeth Ligon told of the small Finches on Galagos Islands that break off twigs to use as tools in digging out food (?). Mrs Mannakee rescued a nest made of black hair and red hair of two of her feathers years ago.

Sylvia Woodward's "Forethought" advised one using Prize winning seeds, i.e. "Peter Pace" red zinnia, "Happy Face" marigold. Now is the time to trim roses, clean rock gardens, plant artichokes, asparagus, rhubarb, "Hot weather" lettuce and "Patio" tomato, "Aristocrat" zucchini are recommended.

Then came a dissertation on planting root vegetables in the "dark" of the moon, and top of ground seeds in the "light" of the moon, and

H/4/1974 -2-

Climatologist A.D. Farquhar reported a high of 76degrees March 4th., a low of 20 on the I3th., an average high of 54, average low 20.. Rainfall 3 1/2 inches, measurable rain on 5 days.

February had been 4 or 5 degrees colder than usual, by 1 to 1 1/2 degrees.

Exhibits

A Parsley plant apiece ready to plant from Rocky Ridge M.R. Miller Pansies, MM. Miller flowers, Mrs Mannakee spirea, Goffs Camellias, Narcissi, Betty Ligon 3 kinds of magnolia, 15 of Narcissi, Huttons 2 varieties of magnolia, Tom Canby Hibiscus, Weske a plant of agaratum, Farquhars Pansies, crocus, blue bottle, .

Bird REport.

Blue-birds punched the time-clock for Spring at 40)clock today knowing that Flora would report them to the Horticultural

Tom Harrison is puzzled by 2 small all yellow birds. Sed Weske thinks they could be gold finches undergoing color change, if their tails are not long. This is the year for Pine Siskins, a small streaked bird with a very sharp bill. Claire has seen only 1 or 2 Evening Grosbeaks .. Are they scarce this year? Yes ..

There were no Committee reports or new business.

Questions.

Mary Seiler is puzzled because the Stock plants that she and Jim have are very vigorous and leafy with no bloom. Tom Harrison says that this is typical, and that they may bloom this year.

Tom related his sad experience with tomato plants being killed by water with softener in it..

No help was given Jess Canby about large muddy bumps in their lawn.

Announcements.

Auction for Patuxent Valley Environmental Association at St. Lukes on May 18th.