Horticultural Society

H/4/1967-1-

April 4th- 1967

GRACLYN with Grace and Francis Thomas

It was a cool April evening when we met for the first time in 1967- also for the first time at the charming old place Grace and Francis Thomas have renovated.

After the usual abundant dinner and social time- we were called to order at 7.40 by our president, Ulric Hutton.

The minutes of October were read and approved. The Secty. then read the resignations of Helen and Jack Bentley, and Wendy and Clive Lawrence. Both were accepted with regret- and the Secty. was instructed to write the Bentley's and ask them to accept honorary membership, coming whenever possible.

Under unfinished business Rust Canby said his geraniums had not shown up yet.

The By-Laws were read as usual at the April meeting.

The nominating com. then reported that all officers had asked to be replaced- and the names of Ellis Manning for Presidnet and Harry Goff for Vice-President were offered- then they scrapped the bottom of the barrell and came up with the name of Mary Reading Miller for Secretary-Treasureer. Nominations from the floor were suggested- but soon they were closed, and the secretary was instructed to cast the ballot, which he did- the new officers taking over their tasks at once.

Dorothy Weske suggested a vote of thanks to the retiring officers- which was given.

Lucy Manning read, "Is man changing the Climate of the Earth", and article by Reid A. Bryson from Saturday Review. He says that it is not true that no one does anything about the weathermany things are done- intentional and unintentional. Man has been concerned with trying to make himself more comfortable- by developing protective clothing- housing, heating- air-conditioning- etc. Then of course cloud seeding has come in for some trials and discussions. But the most obvious way in which man has modified climate unconsciously is through building cities. He builds waterproof houses and paves streets so they will be waterproof- often waterproofing 50-60 precent of the city. In this area water runs off instead of saoking in. Also there are fewer trees in the city and less grass than in the open country.

A city makes its own temperature regime, mostly bye keeping the night warmer. As cities grow, the portion of the earth's surface ove which climate is modified gets larger and larger. About l per cent of the United States is paved. Studies are being made of deserts and much is being learned along this line.

For a volunteer article Alan Thomas read some notes he had found in the Horticultural files concerning weather of a hundred years ago.

Forethought had no report, but Bea Wilson will continue in that capacity.

A. D. Farquhar reported that he had gotten a new rain gaugedirections coming with it suggested that it be "turned upside down in freezing weather." He gave and interesting summary of the winter months- and comparisons of 1966 and 1967 for the first three months of the year. This report is filled with these minutes. He feels there is prospect of good rains this summer.

Bea Wilson reported as assistant Secretary that there were exhibits from the Weskes, Farquhars- Huttons- Bea and Clair

H/5/1967-2-

Alan Farquhar Thomas read the weather report for Douglas Farquhar, reporting for the month of April a high of 84 and a low of 30, with 1.7 in. of rain. The report is filled with the minutes. Douglas also sent a 1963 report he found- which will be filed in the proper place.

The Assistant/Secty reported exhibits from the Ulric Huttons, the Weskes, Alan Thomas's, Betty Ligon's, Goffs and Wilsons.

Betty Ligon reported having seen a catbird todayand Flora Goff said the luebirds won- and have set up housekeeping in their house. Purple Martins also were first seen today- and the Wilson have seen a Piliated Woodpecker.

Mrs. Hartshorne wants to know what to do for her box, which looks rusty. Ulric thinks it was the dry summer last year and advises fertilizing with 10-10-10- Feb. is the best time, but now is better than not at all.

There was a division of opinion among the experts about the shrub Grace wanted identified- some thought it was honeysuckle and others a lilac.

John Weske asked about the horse trough he had heard was once placed on the Laurel road for travelers- including the stage. It was at Sandy Bottom- and it was believed to have been put there by Robert and Asa Stabler.

Rust Canby said he and Elizabeth had been visiting their son in Memphis, and Tom is disturbed that his beautiful red oak has developed a hugh gall-well up the tree- and all around the trunk. They are really tumors, he was told- and are a protection the tree develops to overcome infection from insects bites or some other infection. The local forestry department should be the most help, as it is a very complex question.

Rust also recommended anyone in the vicinity of Holly Springs, Miss.n the spring, should stop by. They were there for the open houses- beautiful 18th century homes- still on the old family's possession. Different homes are open each year. They saw ten, which Rust thought the most magnificent he had ever seen- With very pretty girls acting as hostesses.

Dorothy Weske drew our attention to the warning about rabbies. A serum has been developed for it- but it is quite prevelant- and we were told not to hand feed squirrels- as if we would!

We adjourned to meet on June 6th- at Springdale with Lucy and Ellis Manning, with Robert Miller as reader.

Mary Reading Miller,

Secretary

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.

H/9/1967-1-

September 5th- 1967 BIEN VENU with Walter and Bea Wilson.

The lawns and garden were in such beautiful condition- and the veiw from the porch was lovely, as always- but on this perfect, clear late summer evening it was truly a treat to be at Bien Venu.

After a pleasant social time and a look at all the placewe enjoyed the usual good dinner. and this meeting was called to order by the president, Ellis Manning, at eight o'clock.

John and Dorothy Weske were the only absent members, and the guests were Deborah Willson and Alice Ligon.

The minutes of the August meeting were read and approved.

For her selected article Mary Moore Miller read about the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker. Thesesspectactular red, white and black birds of the southern swamplands that ornithologists had long feared exticnt- have been found in Texas. Three pairs of the 20-inch birds- as big as crows- have been sighted in eastern Texas by one of America's leading experts on woodpeckers. he- Mr. Dennis, estimated on the basis of his study and reports from amatuers that there are five to 10 pairs of the birds in the big Thicket. The last previous confirmed sighting of an ivory bill, America's largest woodpecker, was one bird in the Chipola River in Florida in 1950. There have been peroidoc reports of sightings, but as they closely resemble the pileated wood pecker ornithologists have dismissed the reports. However Mr. Dennis has definately spotted one on a tree 50 or 60 feet from him- and with his seven power biniculars he had no dificulty identifying it.

She also read of the drive to have issued - in full colorsheets of flower stamps- the subjects represent the four sections of the country. Suggested were- Northeastern U.S. the showy ladyslipper- Souteastern U.S. Franklinia three: Northwestern U.S. the Douglas Fir and Southwestern U.S. the Ocotillo, known also as coach-whip and vine-cactus. We were asked to support the movement by writing a letter to the address given by Mary Moore Miller.

Sylvia Woodward was with us- and we were sorry that Dick was not able to join us- Sylvia had forethought- and told us that it is time to make new lawns- and renovate old ones. also the time to move- divide or plant out peonies- oriental poppies and to plant fall blooming bulbs. Plant deep. Attend your chrysanthumumsstake firmly to protect from the fall winds. To make a first class hedge- plants should be cut way back, cosequently small- less expensive plants do just as well. House plants should be brought in the middle of this month, but spray thoroughly first- to rid them of pests. Ulric Hutton suggests that flowering almond and some other flowering shrubs should be treated like peach trees- as the same boror attacks them.

A. D. Farquhar gave his weather report- telling us the high for the month of August was 86 with a low of 60- with measurable rain on 15 days totaling 6.4 inches.

We especially enjoyed the exhibits- which were displayed in the room where we met- so we were able to examine the- and the members demonstrated some that were particularly interesting. Spring Villa had nine vatieties of tomatoes- and William and Zela Heckendorn told us the good and less good points of each. They also had a lemon cucumber and some lovely border flowers and cocks comb of various varieties. Other exhibitors were:- The Cedars, The Highlands, Great Ease, Mt. Pleasant, from Pine Hill

1964 June H/6/1964-1-

Horticulture met for the first time with Dorothy and John Weske on June 2. It wa a beautifu evening and we enjoyed very much wandering around the woods gardens at Oakwood that John and Dorothy are developing. After supper, Our president Jack Bentley presided. We were priviledged to have as a guest at the meeting Ethel Thomas who had attended Horticulture as a child. After supper Ellis went home and brought back Mrs. Robert Brigham of Lawton, Oklahoma who arrived at Springdale just as the Manning's were leaving for Horticultural.

Mary Moore Miller our scheduled reader was away and Robert Miller read as substitute for her an article from Woman's Day on bulbs. We all came away with many suggestions and good resolutions to improved our bulb culture. Daffodils requrie little care - take off seeds, let foliage die; never cut this until it has turned yellow. If you slice a daffodil right after blomming you will see that it is like an onion; later if you slice it, you can see the embryo of a new bulb. Hyacinths and tulips must be lifted periodically or they will eventually disapper. Planted too deeply they will not reproduce. Six inches is about right. Fertilize bulbes with bone meal.