Horticultural Society

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H/8/1921 -5-

she had as usual, a good paper with timely suggestions.

Alice Staber was asked to act as assist _ sec. for the afternoon, & she surely had fine lists to read us, everybody did their part, & the result was most gratifying.

The floral display was most pleasing _ + Cousin Sarah Kirk had to be provided with a table of her own, as her flowers were so numerous.

Questions.

Some one wanted to know if people tie up their lima beans _ not many do.

No one had plums or damsons for sale.

Mrs. Davis is going to try & plant currant bushes this fall. She wanted to know the best varieties _ Cherry currant is good

Harrisons on the Eastern Shore, & N. R. Gray Fairfax V^a were recommended as good places to secure plants.

Can you transplant an apple tree at this time? Yes, trim it in a little at the top, plant well, & water it thoroughly.

Apple juice was suggested a help in making elderberry jelly, one adds, the white lining of an orange is good.

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/5/1966-1-

May 3-1966 - In our 103rd Year At The Windrush with Clive and Wendy Lawrence

Hidden away in what was once the jungle of southwest Burtonsville on the original Burton farm, the Lawrences are to be complimented on finding and preserving such a unique and charming place. A hidden country lane breaks away from a very modern street scene into a vista of natural beauty, an abundance of wild flowers, sturdy trees, cultivated bushes and plants, with plenty of evidence of our hosts' tender loving care. Once inside the quaint old house, the many changes of the past ten years admirably reflect the decorative skill and personality of the Lawrences.

After most of us consumed more than our minimum requirements at the sumptious tables, our President Ulric Hutton called the Society to order at 7:50 pm. He welcomed William and Corrine Hartshorne, who were family guests of the Ligons; and we noted the absences of the Bentleys, the Farquhars, the Goffs and the Hussmans.

The Secretary read the minutes of the previous meeting, which were approved as read. These minutes included a tabled motion to change the wording of our 5th Resolution as follows: "Members should notify the hostess if they cannot attend a meeting". The President called for a vote on the question and the members present approved the resolution without dissent. The Treasurer's report was given and the annual dues were collected from those present.

Caroline Hussman, unavoidably absent at the last minute due to sickness in her young family, prevailed upon her kind neighbor, Rose Hutton, to present her reading for the evening, It was an appropriate article on Wild Flowers from an issue of the Horticulture Magazine in 1963, telling us how to collect wild flower seeds almost anywhere. All collections should be labled and the localities noted. Hold the seeds over winter, and try to plant in as near native soil as possible. The four "S's" in the SucceSSful Soil preparation are to: Sift, Save and Scatter soil and Separate plants after one inch of growth to 5 or 6 inches apart in their permanent place. Sometimes this takes two or three years to achieve results, but keeping the proper records, makes this task much easier. Our President suggested that planting would be better made in straight rows, with all labels kept up to date. The use of cinders to keep out worms and planting on the North side of the woods would help increase production.

Rose also presented an article from the Baltimore Sun, which concerned a diabolical plot to damn up the Colorado River at both ends of the Grand Canyon. This would appear to be in violation of the U. S. Park preservation laws. This plan to erect two damns defacing the Grand Canyon, would flood and drown out four billion years of geology. The Maryland Committee to Save the Grand Canyon feels it is important enough to try to notify everyone in the United States to register protests. Individuals may write to our own Eastern Shore Representative R. C. B. Morton, and it was suggested that the Secretary write a letter of protest for the Society.

Bea Wilson's "forethought" reminded us to set out our annuals and mulch the dogwood trees. It is time to divide your Shasta Daisies and finish pruning your flower bushes. Don't forget the second feeding of roses and to plant your "special" seeds.

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.

H/5/1932 -1-

ERCILDOUN, June 7th, 1932

Frederic & Elza Thomas were hosts to the Horticultural Society for the May Meeting. An unusual attendance of members and several guests were assembled in the Tanglewood Living Room when the meeting was called to order, the usual order of business was observed.

The first reader, Mrs. Harry Stabler read of Virginia's Eastern Shore and its historic interests the old homes and families of pre-Revolutionary War days, their influence on Colonial history. Also an article on what goes into a Lilly Pond. Too many frogs are not desirable.

Mrs. Probert read from Better Homes and Gardens the interesting story of New York School Gardens. Every newly built school has a Standard Garden where childern are taught garden work as part of nature study. There are more school gardens in New York than any other city in the world. Behind the growth of school gardens is the School Garden Association of America with over 10,000. members. This seems to be a far reaching work of our public schools all over the country - one we delight ot hear of. "A touch of Nature makes the whole world kin", we are told.

Mrs. Probert also read of the first Garden Clubs, Philadelphia having the first one, 1889.

There were no volunteer articles. Dr. Councilman, a guest, gave us a most instructive talk on the propogation and transplanting of Arbutus. The seed which is quite small contained in a shell is planted in a pot, and transplanted to an acid soil prepared for the plant. To break the the pot in transplanting is recommended, not to distrub the roots. Leaf mould and sand make the soil, keep very moist. In transplanting the plant move with as much native soil as possible.

FORETHOUGHT.

Forethought gave information for lawn culture. The preparation of soil being the first important step. Do not remove lawn clippings. Use cotton seed meal and ammonium sulphate.

Asparagus as usual claimed discussion. Plant year old plants, slugs are disastrous in some asparagus culture, use a spray of arsenate of lead.