Club Minutes: Horticultural Society, 1891-1906

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Edgewood

August 1st 1905

Our Society Convened on this beautiful August day at Edgewood. Our President and Secretary both being absent - our vice-President, John C. Bentley filled the chair and Ellen Farquhar and Eliza Brooke were appointed to jointly take the secretary's place - a notable fact that it takes two mature women to very poorly fill the place of our _ (I will not use any flattering adjectives or she will not read them) secretary. After the minutes of the last meeting were read and approved a letter from Margaret Magruder was read who is visiting the far West, and who gave interesting description of the great and wonderful geysers of Yellowstone Park The secretary was appointed to acknowledge it. Kate Janny 1st reader; her selection was very good; of the good lesson we learn from each growing seed from the time it is planted until it becomes an aged tree. There were also some very good selected articles. The rainfall of July is without parallel. The noon temp 72°

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The Forethought gave a good deal of advice as usual regarding weeds and proper plants for window culture There was a selected article read giving a sketch of Letitia Penn; our old doll frined who has descended in he old [quaint?] court dress to Mary F. Kirk. She is one of the curiosities of Sandy Spring and I hope s he will always appear in the parlor to welcome the Horticultural at Woodburn

The Poultry report from Janet Miller was most admirable, being a drescription of a woman's successful poultry farm starting with white Wyandolts, then Rhode Island Red, a good all round hen. She fed a great variety of food five times a day; the very early spring chickens were kept under sashes, an old hot-bed instead of a brooder would raise 500 earliest broilers selling for $10.00 per dozen The questions followed, not so many as usual.

1 When plant spinach for winter use? In August

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2| When and how sow lettuce for wintering over? Sow in a bed the middle of September, transplant to cold frame latter part of October.

3| What is to be done with apple trees that seem perfectly healthy and grow well for a year but then turn grey and the leaves gradually die? Thought to be an insect cut off about eight inches above the root and burn.

4| What is to be done with maple trees that die at the top? Trim out the diseased part, but if very bad and seems to be killing the tree better cut it down.

5| Where is loam to be procured for the culture of mushrooms? What is loam? The dictionary says "a rich friable soil". A discussion decided that there were different kinds of loam, a rather vague answer for the mushroom culturist.

6| What ails egg plants that have grown luxuriantly and are will with fruit but have had branches that wither up? Not known

7| What is the best to do with the early potatoes we are now using?

Dig and store in the cellar to be used till gone..

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8| What about trimming out the too luxuriant growth of Lima beans? If it becomes dry and the growth will be wanted; Trim some and leave some. always taking off the ends of the vines Some members advise planting permanent poles and putting wire on them. the theory being that Lima beans should be planted year after year in the same ground. Some one was know to have used the same ground for 20 years and was celebrated for having a fine abundant crop always

9| How many families notified the hostess whether they were coming and how many would come, as is the rule? Only six

The gardens were found in the finest condition. A fine canteloupe patch bids fair to give much comfort. The flowers were tidy and healthy; a luxuriant growth on the roses which were blooming One interesting feature of this place is the variety of beautiful old funiture, china and many other things with are arranged in a building built for their accommodation. The company was invited to examine them and every one

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enjoyed it extremely and we are each one could but give praise to the fair owner for her energy in procuring these fine specimens, for it all shows how much labor it involved. May she realize all the profits she desires as recompense for her work. The vegetable and floral specimens were as usual very fine.

But we all parted in sadness a telegram giving the news of the death of one absent friend Dollie Vedder the news airing just as we were leaving the supper table. Truly death touches were not least expect, and who can stay his touch?

Secretary, Eliza Brooke