Club Minutes: Enterprise Farmers Club, 1924

May 17th 1924.

Those who responded to Malcolm Farquhar's invitation to entertain the 705th meeting of the Enterprise Club at that wonderful estate of Mr. Pierre Du Pont, were well paid for the journey, and those who were so unfortunate as to be unable to get there, missed a rare treat. While everything is done on a much more elaborate scale than we can do, I am sure all who attended that meeting felt that they had learned a lot for having been there.

It would be impossible for me to record a full description of all we saw and did. Those who went can remember, those who did not must go next time.

The active members absent were Rust Canby, T. Lamar Jackson, Milton Bancroft, Charles Bond, Newton Stabler, Maurice Stabler and Harwood Owings.

The guests included Roger B. Farquhar, Mr. Evans, Douglas Gilpin, Hallet Stabler, Jack Shoemaker, George B. Miller, Caleb Stabler, Allan Farquhar, Douglas Farquhar, F. J. Downey, Tarlton Brooke, J. W. Jones, and E. Clifton Thomas Jr.

C. L. Gilpin called the meeting to order and we were asked to take a drive over the farms.

First the office, where the accounts of that great enterprise are kept in minute detail, then the shop, garage, store house for farm trucks and machinery, chicken houses, one 20 by 62 feet under construction; barns, stables, silos, and any number of fine cattle including Gmernseys, Short horns and Hertfords sic; with everything in splendid order.

After going several miles through the beautiful drives we came to the hot house, which covers more than three acres, where we found everything from "chick weed" to bananas, growing luxuriously.

Ripe peaches, plums, grapes and other out of season fruits were to be seen, besides a most wonderful and beautiful display of flowers and plants.

On returning to Malcolm's our hostess announced dinner, which consisted of baked shad, wonderful ham with lots of other good things from "fruit cup" to ice-cream and cake.

After a game of base-ball on the laws and a smoke or two, business was resumed.

The minutes of the April meeting were read and approved.

The Secretary read a letter from Heary H. Stabler requesting membership in our club. As per custom, action was deferred to the next meeting.

Crop Prices:

Wheat-----$1.14 bu. Potatoes-----$1.00 bu.

Corn-----$4.40 bbl. Hogs-----$0.08 1/4 lb.

Hay-----$29.00 T. Beef Cattle-----$0.09 1/2-$0.11 1/2 lb.

Questions;

. Malcolm Farquhar wants to put an additional 500 pounds of ferterlizer sic per acre on his potatoes after planting, when and how can it be done, sow now and use a drill. He was told that cultivation was the only thing that would kill chick weed. He also asked how farming could be made profitable. This question has been asked and discussed at many of our meetings, and while no one claims a profit, several recommended dairy cows, more soy beans and alfalfa hay; some would raise strawberries.

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Mr. Du Pont asked if his farm was producing an average crop.

Many present thought his farm was producing more per acre than the average Montgomery County farm, and several commented on the improvement of his farm since our last meeting there.

Douglas Gilpin asked what to do with a corn field that was full of timothy.

If the stand is poor, re-plant; otherwise cultivate frequently.

William Moore was told that Laurel was injurious to sheep, and would kill them.

Samuel Thomas asked how the prospect for fruit this year compared with other years. Prospects much better this year, and good prices expected for good fruit and no market for inferior.

Dr. Christie has a fine old horse to let in exchange for a good home. J. W. Jones accepted the offer.

Frederick Gilpin asked how close trees should be mulched.

To within a few inches of the trunk was advised.

After many expressions of a very pleasant meeting we adjourned to meet with Rust Canby June I4th.

EC Thomas

Secretary.

June 14th, 1924.

After having about thirty rainy days out of the past forty, we felt fortunate in having such a beautiful afternoon and evening for the 706th meeting of the Enterprise Club, which was held at Rose HIll; Rust Canby being our host. The active members absent were Milton Bancroft, Samuel P. Thomas and Maurice Stabler

The guests were Earnest Iddings, Mr. Hoskinson, Mr. Snarr, Benjamin Thompson, Albert Reese and J. W. Jones.

The meeting was called to order by C. L. Gilpin; Albert Stabler was asked to act as foreman for the walk. A visit to the corn field showed us what can be done by the caroful selection of seed corn, for the field looked as though the stand was I00% good. The orchard showed what constant attention as to spraying, cultivation and fertilization will do; the trees were well filled with apples. Our host said he looked for 2000 barrels. A new peach orchard of 300 trees was in fine condition, with every tree growing as planted. The potatoesic field which had been heavily fertilized and sprayed, looked like a picture a potatoe. sic Field usually found in seed catalogues.

The hay fields, like everything else, were in excellent condition; the portion of the timothy field where ammonia had been used, was exceptionally good.

On reaching the house we found a delicious broiled spring chicken dinner awaiting us. With new potatoes, new peas and Ice-cream, we really felt that summer was in sight at least.

On resuming business the minutes of the meeting held at Rose Hill last year and the minutes of the May meeting were read; the latter with slight correction, being approved.

The name of Henry H. Stabler having been proposed for membership in our club at the last meeting, was voted on, with the unanimous wish that he be asked to become a member. The Secretary was requested to apprise him of the fact.

This being election night for chairman and Secretary for the coming year, a vote was taken, or rather a command was given, which put the job up to the prosent officers.

Albert Stabler was asked to collect the Secretary's salary.

Crop Prices:

Wheat ----------$1.12 1/2 bu. Potatoes (old) ------------$1.00 bu.

Corn ------------$4.40 bbl. Hogs----------$0.073/4 - $0.08

Hay------------$28.00 -$ 30.00 T. Beef Cattle-----------$0.10 1/2 lb.

The road committee did not offer much encouragement as to any improved roads this year.

B.H. Miller told of a farm in near by Virginia which had been rented to the same family for 96 years, He also read some interesting figures on a large wheat ranch in the west.

Questions:

Rust Candy asked what to do with the manure now on hand. He was advised to put it on the sod fields. He also asked how may sheep he could keep in a 16 acre field. 30 to 35

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Asa M. Stabler like many others were anxious on account of the delay in getting soy beans planted.

He was assured it was not too late. Some would sow as late as July 10th.

Albert Stabler wants to buy a second hand I horse wagon, and has a fresh cow for sale.

William Moore asked when to cut kale for seed. When seed pods begin to break.

Harwood Owings asked if it would pay to buy heiffers {sic} to put in some new ground to help clear it up. No, better use sheep.

Albert Reese asked what was causing the bad condition of the sycamore trees.

Some thought the cold and wet spring the cause.

The meeting adjourned to meet with C.L. Gilpin, July I2th.

E.C. Thomas Secretary.

July 10th, 1924.

C. L. Gilpin was host for the 707th meeting of the Enterprise Club, which met at his home July I8th, having been postponed on account of the death of Lewis Barnsly.

Active members absent were S. P. Thomas, Dr. Christie, Charles Bond, Maurice Stablor and Harwood Owings. The guests included Frederick Gipin, F. J. Downey, Dorsey Downey, Eaward Snowden, John and Richard Janney, Robert Chichester, J. W. Jones, William Thomas, Frank Cashell, John Muncaster and Dr. Ladson.

After a wonderful,real beef steak supper the meeting was called to order by William Moore, who was asked to act as chairman for the evening.

Rust Canby was requested to act as foreman for the walk which took us through a splendid field of timothy hay to a potatoe sic field which looked as though a big crop would be forthcoming. The garden, as usual was well advanced and in good condition.

On returning to the house the "old" and last minutes were read, the later approved.

The road committee still assures us of a mile more concrete road from Colesville north, but they give little encouragement of any improvement on the upper end of the old pike.

Albert Stabler reported on collections For Secretary's salary.

Crop Prices:

Wheat---$I.2I bu. Apples---$I.50 bu.

Corn---$6.00 bbl. Potatoes---$3.25 bbl.

Hay---$28.00 T. Hogs---$0.07 3/4 lb.

Beef Cattle---$0.07 1/2 lb.

Questions;

C. L. Gilpin asked what price you should get for hay in winter to equal the present value of $20.00 per ton from the field. Most every one thought that $30.00 per ton in winter would about equal the present price.

William Moore's question as to the formation and growth of Timothy heads was referred to the Agriculture Department.

He asked the price of Kale seed, and was told 50¢ per pound was the wholesale price.

Lamar Jackson told us of killing a lot of garlick sic by mowing it.

Asa M. Stabler was told that even though he was late getting his soy beans planted, they would probably ripen in time to sow grass.

Albert Stabler told of a wonderful stand of grass and was advised to pasture it rather than cut it.

George Wilson got little adives as to how to get rid of wild sweet potatoes - thorough cultivation seems to be the only hope.

He wants to buy some shoats.

John Janney asked when to sow sweet clover in his corn; after the next, or fourth, plowing.

J. W. Jones questions as to what he should pay a "working foreman" supplying his own equipment, brought out considerable and varied discussion, far more than your Secretary could record; the prices, however, ranged from $50.00 per month to $2000.00 per year.