ENPages
Page 2
H/4/1952-2
Alloway, April 1, 1952
The first meeting of the 1952 Horticulture Society was no joke even though it's date was April first. A good attendance of friendly members met at Alloway and after the meeting was called to order by President McReynolds the minutes of the October meeting were read and approved. An election of officers was held and Jack Bentley was unanimously elected for president with the present secretary - treasurer remaining in office. A vote of thanks and appreciation was given to to Frederic McReynolds, our retiring president. Rebecca Small gave her usual worthwhile forethought report telling us -- to set out new roses; cut pea brush; prune evergreens; transplant butterfly bush; sharpen the lawnmower and salt the asparagus bed. Her poem for this meeting was "Almond Blossoms" by Edmond Arnold.
The Meteorologist reported 3 7/10 inches of rain for with an average temperature of 36.
No readers had been selected for this month so the Wesleys kindly took over the program and showed some interesting color slides and movies of gardens.
The readers selected for next month are Elsa Thomas and Helen Bentley.
The meeting adjourned and everyone to participate in the delicious communal supper in the roomy recreation room of Alloway.
Respectfully, Sylvia Woodward Sec.
Page 3
H/5/1952-1-
The Cedars, May 5, 1952
The Horticultural Society met on a lovely evening at The "Cedars" with a large attendance present.
Our new president, Jack Bentley, opened the meeting and the secretary read the minutes of the April meeting which were read and approved.
The first reader, Grace Thomas, read an article on "Vine Craps" - squash, melon, gourds and cucumbers, etc. and introduced us to the word cucubits - the family name for them. All of these vegetables have male and female blossoms and are insect pollinated. The watermelon can only be grown in a warm climate while the cucumber and squash are very hardy. All of this family need rich soil which should be treated with chemicals to prevent mold. Growth can be sppeded up with patented "hat caps". These crops have our great
Page 4
H/5/1952 -2-
enemy - the squash bug or striped beetle which ccan be controlled with rotonone, dusted every four or five days. We are looking forward to Grace and Francis' "cucubits" specimens for the July meeting.
Helen Bentley read on how to plant bulbs, planting as deep as 6 or 8 inches or 2 x 1/2 times their depth. Moles and mice are their worse enemy. Dust bulb before planting and set on a layer of sand.
Our forethought chairman, Rebecca Small, advised us to pinch off side buds of peonies, set out window box plants, thin sweet peas, force and pot geraniums, divide rhubarb and put fish in the lily pond. She closed her report by reading the lovely poem by John Milton, "May Morning."
The meteorologist reported 55° temperature and 3 7/10 inches of rainfall in April.
Douglas Farquhar asked for volunteers for plane spotting to work in 4 hour shifts.
Elsa Thomas told of the exhibits of
Page 5
H/5/1952 -3.
the negro homemakers club of Norbeck.
Under new business Isabel Wesley made the motion that the Horticultural Society convene at 5.45 during June, July, and August with supper at 6 p.m. and adjourning at 8 p.m. After a discussion the motion was passed.
The readers appointed for the June meeting are Pete Ligon and Fred Thomas with the next place of meeting "Homestone."
The treasurer collected the yearly dues and the meeting adjourned to allow the members to share in a delightful, leisurely supper.
Sylvia B. Woodward Sec.