Club Minutes: Enterprise Farmers Club, 1948

MR. WILSON - Asked what was the matter with the hay crops? Clover was killed by crown rot or blight.

W. W. MOORE - Asked whether it paid to spray cattle? Yes.

M. J. STABLER - Stated they were putting base board radiant heat in the old stand which they are remodeling. It is supposed to cut fuel bills in half.

Adjourned to meet with M. J. Stabler in July.

Stanley P. Stabler

Secretary.

July 10, 1948 - 983rd Meeting

THE ENTERPRISE CLUB

On this pleasant Summer evening MAurice J. Stabler was host and a goodly number of members and guests arrived in time for the walk. Since our host gave up dairying and switched to beef cattle several years ago, the chief items of interest on this farm now are his steers and his pastures. We first saw a lot of twelve Hereford steers, which were making good gains and showing some finish. Guesses as to weight were around a thousand pounds. We then saw two other lots of black cattle, one of nine the other eighteen. The latter lot was guessed to weigh about seven hundred and twenty five pounds. All three lots of cattle were on good pasture, though the bluegrass in last field visited was very spotty, probably as a result of a severe infestation of Japanese bettle grub. There was a good stand of Lespedeza and the cattle were probably doing better on this at the season than they would have on bluegrass.

As we returned to the house we were shown a piece of fence wire which our host said had been bought in 1884 or 1885. It was still in good condition. We cannot expect the same longevity from the wire we use today.

After the usual fine Springfield dinner which, of course, included old ham and many other items, we had a short social period and then the meeting was called to order by President Moore. Minutes of last meeting were read and corrected. We had with us as guest - R. E. L. Smith, Dawson Trundle, Thomas Hyde, Guy Wood, Donald Hobbs and R. H. Lansdale, Absent were Englund, Davis, Jackson, McReynolds, Ben Shaw, G. A. and Frank Willson.

It was reported that G. A. Willson and M. J. Stabler and G. R. Canby were appointed to call on Mr. Willson as representatives of Club.

Crop prices reported as follows: Wheat $2.28 Calves $28.00 Corn 11.10 Lambs 28.00 Hay 27.00 from the field. Potatoes 2.25 to 2.50 Cattle 31.50 to 33.50 Apples 1.50 to 2.50 Hogs 30.00 Eggs .58 to .68

Questions: M. J Stabler- When should I sell the Hereford cattle? What do they weigh and what will they bring? About one-third wold sell within ten days- the rest would keep as long as grass is good. Weight guesses were aroung 975 to 1000 lbs. They should bring from .30 to .32 on present market. M.J Stabbler- Mentioned the bad beetle infestation in sode. Recent visitors from New Jersey say we can expect the beetles to ger worse for two or three more years and then drop off. Thomas Hyde- Told of a severe infestation of dog ticks on his bangles. S.P Stabler- Asked what spray could be used to kill ticks on dogs? DDT in strong solution will do. G. R Canby- Wants a small calf. Guy bean or Claude Hobbs. R.E.L Smith- Asked why he had no hay following barley in one field an good hay after barley in another field. The barley was too heavy in one field and smothered the grass. It developed that this field had been in sode before the barley and this accounted for heavy barley growth.

R. H. LANSDALE - How many are going to have corn sprayed by airplane? Six out of eleven corn growers. The price was stated to be $3.25 per acre.

R. H. LANSDALE - Wants seasoned six inch boards. P. G. LIGON - What is the average wheat yield this year? Very spotty ranging from ten to thirty bushels per acre.

WM. GILPIN - Has lost hams from bugs. He thought possibly the meat house was too hot so this year kept them in cellar but still had some loss. Which is best location? the meat house. Use borax to control bugs. Do not bag.

DONALD HOBBS - Is it practical to plow under straw for next year's wheat crop? It can be plowed under, but it is of doubtful value.

F. A. THOMAS - Is crimson clover seed available? Yes.

F. A. THOMAS - Wondered whether it was safe to remain in neighborhood of Tom Hyde's snakes.

L. S. WESLEY has seen mineral blocks being used for cattle. Does any one know where it may be optained.

M. J. STABLER - Mentioned a report from friends in Texas that tractor farming was adversely affecting yields. It was not thought to be dangerous here if the implement was properly adjusted.

Adjourned to meet with O. N. and S. P. Stabler.

Stanley P. Stabler, Secretary

August 18, 1948 - 984th meeting

The 984th meeting of the Enterprise Club was held on Aug. 18, 1948 at the home of Stanley Stabler, although both Stanley and Osborn Stabler were hosts.

It seems that each year these corny brothers (hybrid corn that is) have a new wrinkle for improving their corn crop. This year it was a high horse-drawn vehicle with pressure tanks on each side connected with a spray apparatus for killing Japanese beetles. When the spray apparatus and tanks are removed a polatform is left and on each of these a boy is put to detassel a single row of corn, while the driver detassls two. The rig was designed by Stanley and was built by Brooke Moore.

We were shown two nice hunter prospects. The three year old was broken but little had been done with the two year old.

Stanley's sone Drew proudly called his pen of shoats in for our critical inspection. They were so nice that everybody said there was little wonder the Stable Brothers' Hams were so good.

The supper was done up to a Queen's taste. Corn of the cob, corn off the cob and the traditional ham with all the trimmings. the corn incidentally was a new hybrid named Seneca Chief. A yellow variety which was the most delicious many of us have ever eaten.

After a needed relaxation the club was called to order by our able President, W. W. Moore.

Guests included Dr. Jacob Bird, Dr. R. G. Rothgeb, Dr. Coffee, Dr. Charles Grey, Jack Bentley, General Conley, Herbert O. Stabler, Robert and Ridgeley Chichester, Robert Miller, John Hager, and George Willson Jr. From the number of Doctors present our hosts must have had some doubts about the Club members over eating.

Club absentees were G. Rust Canby, Fred McReynolds, Senator Davis, Mr. Hurry, T. L. Jackson, Stanley Moore, George Willson, and Walter Wilson.

Mr. George Willson had been visited at the hospital by several Club members who were pleased to report that the old gentelman was improving and that he expected to attent the next meeting.

There was no Committee reports.

Crop prices were as follows:

Wheat $2.24½ Calves $31

Corn $10. to $10.50 Lambs $28

Straw $15 Apples $2.75 to $3.50

Hay $25 to $32 Potatoes $3.00 per 100 lbs

Cattle $30 to $35 Eggs .65 to .73

Hogs $30 to $31

A few exceptionally good ones brought $31.75, which was a new high for the Baltimore market.

Questions were next in order.