Club Minutes: Horticultural Society, 1863-1871

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H/3/1866 - 1- 29 Olney 1866 Mar 31st

The opening meeting in 1866. of the Horticultural Society was held at Olney March 31. during the first thunderstorm of the season. It was well attended all the members present except Sarah B Stabler, Rachel Gilpin & Eliza Brooke of Brooke Grove

Frances Miller the originator and foundation of the Society was appointed Foreman for the season. Margaret B Magruder Secy.

The question was asked what gardening had been done this season? All who had Hot beds had planted them, and some had Tomatoes Cabbage Beets & lettuce up in them. All had potatoes planted & almost every one Peas, Beets, Lettuce, Radish & Cabbage seed in the garden. Francis Miller Eliza Brooke (Falling Green) & Margt B Magruder had also planted corn. & the two last named ladies a few snap Beans. Will they reap at harvest time? The general opinion is that nothing is gained by such early planting of these tender things. From the middle to last of April, thought a better time for corn & first of May for Beans, though the weather & season must regulate somewhat. What vegetables still on hand for table use? Almost all had parsnips, Carrots, Potatoes, Beets, & Salsify. Some had turnips, Soup beans & onions.

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one celery, & two only had cabbage, Which lead to the question. Why dont Cabbage keep better? Answers not very satisfactory. We have to learn more on that point. How best to keep Onions for winter & spring use? Some had tried Attic & they would freeze, some the cellar & they had sprouted from the dampness. Thought best by some to leave in a dry dark closet where they are not likly to get frozen. D. A. Lea gave information that Turnips set up and covered with earth in the cellar would make very early greens in the spring to boil or season raw as Lettuce. The Spring vegetables displayed by our hostess were much admired. Beets, Salsify, Turnips, Potatoes Soup & Lima beans Parsnips & Carrots & Onions. D. A. Lea. brought a very pretty collection of flowers from her house plants. Mary B Brooke reported roses in bloom. Hannah Stabler a lemon tree with 30 growing upon it. The names of Charles & Lizzie Iddings were proposed as members and met hearty approval. After this the question across whether the member was as large as desirable, and how best-regulate accepting or declining new offers for membership in future? Decided to leave it to a committee. A request

H/3/1866-3 31 came from Martha Lea to be admitted as a mem ber. According to the above arrangement, Henry C Hallowell Francis Miller & Ellen Farquhar were appointed to consider the subject and report when next the Society meets. The evening was too damp to walk in the yard & garden, which some regretted as our hostess had a pit for pot-plants in fine condition.

Our Foreman spoke of the successful Horticultural Exhibition held at Sandy Spring last Fall and proposed that attention should be given during seed time to the preparing of first class articles to exhibit at the close of the present season. The members of the society were advised to extend the interest in the Exhibition as much as possible beyond the said body. The following questions were asked Q. When ought vegetables for seed to be set out? A. After hard frosts seem over. Q. What should be used to fertilize the ground for Tomatoes? A. Ashes not too heavily used was said to hasten their ripening. Not best to make the ground very rich or they run to vines - use well rotted manure

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Q. When best set out Strawberry plants? A. As soon as possible from this time. Q. What is the proper dressing for asparagus beds? A. The last-years earth from a hot bed & lime. Woodpile earth, or saw dust to keep down weeds. Q. How to treat Evergreens after houseplanting? A. Mulch them & water in dry weather during the first summer. Q. Should Potatoes for planting be cut a long or short time before going into the ground? A. Some strongly opposed cutting before hand while others advised to cut spread thinly on a floor and sprinkle with plaster to form a coat over the raw sides. Q. Should Asparagus be planted in beds or rows? A. More likely to be kept in order in a bed some liked rows best. Q. How deep should Peas be planted? A. As deep as half a spade, Cover lightly and hill up as they grow & some had preference in the usual way. Q. Is there any way to do with out sticks for tall Peas A. No.