Club Minutes: Enterprise Farmers Club, 1873-1878

7 mo 5th 1873

Club met at Wm S Bonds. RB Farquhar appointed foreman at 5 1/2 Oclk

Wm S Brooke & Thos. J Lea were absent. Dr. F Thomas W. H Pleasants, Wm Lea & Edgar Janney were our guests. Minutes of last meeting here were read, we started out first to see the working of a new two wheel, hinged bar moing machine, exhibited by W. H Pleasants, which seemed to do its work well, with light draft, & easily managed.

Passing thro the Truck patch it was found to be clean, & in good order, & laboring under the influence of the growing breezes wafted from the Bone Mill; going thro the flower & vegetable gardens we found them looking well, tho suffering from the drougth.

The six mule team came in heavily loaded, & looking much better under the care of the present driver.

The stabling was in the usual order plenty of manure in it ready made.

The Members could not be prevailed upon by the Foreman to walk around any distance, so we soon returned to the house.

Minutes of the last meeting were read. Questions as follows

1st Ques What shall I do with a poor field now in Corn, to get it with grass early. Ans wry & Clover 4, Oats & clover 3 8 would work it after Corn is cut, & put the fertilizer on & sow clover

2nd Is it safe to put away wheat directly after cuting, when it is very ripe. 12 say twill not hurt, 5 say it is risky.

3rd. How soon will it do to Thresh wheat after puting in mow. Thresh within a week, or wait some time

4th Should a Cow that gives 2 galls of milk a day, & will calve in a month be dried up. most would try to dry her up.

5 When is the right time to sell wheat 15 say at once.

6 shall I plow my wry stubble twice for wheat. No.

7 How heavy to put on 4 in tire for my six horse wagon, 1 in front, & 7/8 behind.

8 Are grade alderny Cows better than common stock for milk & butter 13 say yes, 1 no

9 Does it pay to raise Colts. most think it does pay, if from good sized stock.

The Foreman having to leave, F. Stabler was appointed in his place.

10th What shall I do to keen the gnats from going into the Dairies, no remedy.

11th What will your wheat crop average 5 say 25 bus, 2 30 bus, 3 20 bus. 1 15 & 1 16 bus.

12th Will it pay to sow clover on corn land & plow for wheat same year. It was thought twould pay.

Adjourned to C H Brookes

8 mo 9th

P. T. S. Sec

8 month 9th 1873 Met at Charles H Brookes, the secretary being late Edwd P. Thomas was chosen foreman & Wm S Bond as Seely & they started out to look at the Cattle, found them looking very well, several were crossed with the Alderny stock. The Pigs were small, though quartered near to the Cornhouse. We passed the frame standing for a hay house, which looked as tho, it would be of more use with a roof on it. the Stack yard lookea to be keeping all right. We saw considerable plowing done. One field of Corn looked very uneven, the next one was quite heavy. The Potatoes showed much need of Rain. Some hogs seen at this point looked very well & thrifty.

A lot of apple trees did not show sings of having been trimed too much.

On returning to the house we found that Wm S Brooke was the only absent member. We had as guests Dr. Wm H Magruder, E. C. Gilpin, A. G. Gilpin, Jas. Stabler, Chas Farquhar & G Hopkins.

The minutes of the last meeting here & minutes of the last meeting were both read, & the following questions asked.

Questions 1st Is this the right time to buy a sheep. Ans. Thought best to buy as soon as you can.

2nd. Shall I keep on plowing or stop. 15 say keep on, 2 say stop.

3rd. Which is best to Drill, or sow wheat Broadcast. 16 are in favor of Drill & 3 Broadcast

4th What kind of fertilizer shall a neighbor use on wheat. Bonds 1/5 Peruvian Guano 4. 3 I.X.L. 6 Dissolved bone; 2 say 1/2 Bone & 1/2 I.X.L. 2 Bone & Guano, 1 plenty of stuff.

A member states that he saw an Alderny heifer not a year old, that had a calf, (which was supposed to be small).

5. What action can we take in regard to working into thourghoughbred stock. It is suggested to appoint a committee of five, (by the chair) to look after improved stock of all kinds, & report to each meeting of the Club anything of interest they may gather from time to time, when called upon by the Secretary. The Foreman appointed Charles H Brooke Chairman & Wm W. Moore, Thos. J Lea, R B Farquhar & Asa M Stabler for that committee.

6th What is the best fertilizer for a piece of soding newly made. Wood ashes, & top dress with fine manure.

7th Is it best to hoe grass out of Potatoes at this late date. Thought by some best to hoe, & others not.

8th What is the present prospect for a crop of Corn this year, the average supposed to be about 7 Bbls per acre.