Club Minutes: Horticultural Society, 1961

A. D. Farquhar Meterological METEROLOGICAL REPORT MAY 1961

for Horticultural Society

Average High Temperature 69^o Highest 86^o 9th

Average Low Temp. 49^o Lowest 38^o 4th, 5th 28th

Mean Temp. 59^o for the month

Total rainfall 3.37 inches Measurable rain fell on 16 days.

H/5/1961-1-

ROSLYN May 2, 1961

On a sparkling bright afternoon, we met at Roslyn where members and guests enjoyed the hospitality of the Krickers in a setting conducive to comfort and attractiveness. The meal was "put together" in the usually surprising and adequate fashion and was deliscious.

Our President, Robert H. Miller called us to order and the minutes of April 4th were read and approved with a few changes.

Edward Iddings read "Mother Nature Knows Best" by Ruth Stout who advises leaving the dead growth the winter-over along with spoiled hay or straw applied to a depth of 8 inches. Add lime and cottonseed meal and garbage, except meat scraps that attract animals. Leaves and wood chips are also good mulch. Even diseased plants or insect infested ones were not harmful to next year's crop. She had no beetles and in the spring she pulled the mulch back a week before planting to dry the soil. The entire garden was a compost heap.

Leon small warned us to beware of the spectacular plants we see advertized which may not be suited to this climate, such as the climber and French strawberries. Early Dawn, Pocahontas and Tenn. Beauty are good for here. A climbing peach vine has only a hard inedible fruit. Wild plants such as rhododendrons are not hardy for transplanting usually. Congimums (Oriental chrysanthemums) are still being tested by the US Dept. of Agriculture. Claims are premature in ads so cust0mers gamble if they buy.

A Chinese chrysanthemum trained to perfect symetry thru latice work in Hong Kong was shown in a picture. Our guest Irving Smith told of his experiment with training a cascade of thse flowers, one year.

Sylvia Woodward's Forethought said go after weeds now with 2-4-D; put in glad corms at 2 to 4 week intervals; apply alum for blue hydrangias, lime for pink ones; dont cut lawns too close; disbud side buds for larger peonies; pick dead pansy blooms and leggy growth; chrysanthemumscan be put in as cuttings and annual seeds shouls be sown; shade seed beds with laths.

Our Meteorologist reported: Ave. high 60* Ave low 39* Highest 86* Lowest 28* ; total rainfall 3.86 inches, also 1/4 in. snow; rain fell on 11 days and traces on 4 days. Mean temp. was 50* compared to 60* last year.

Gen'l and Mrs. Herron, were introduced as guests and are garden enthusiasts of Bethesda, Md.

Exhibits: Bien Venu had lovely pink geraniums with honesty and saxafrage and Johnny Jump Ups. The Cedars had pansies and asparagus. Great Ease brought flower samples and asparagus. The Cottage has flower samples. Millwood had lecogum, snow flakes, trillium and un unnamed plant which Irving Smith will attempt to identify by next meeting. Field Head had lettuce, spinach, old onions, new ones, potatoes, kale, and rhubarb.

Birds: Wrens have been here for 2 weeks; Great Ease has had casualties of myrtle warblers and a wood thrush hitting the glass windows and dying. Humming birds have tried to get to

house plants through the glass. Gold finches are here inflocks. Wildlife: 6 deer have been seen at Bien Venue and Springdale

Membership: We welcomed our new members Ellis and Lucy Mannings. [?] and Doris Smith met with us and are still uncertain as to joining but it was hoped thay would decide to do so. The Coffees anf the Ladsons declined. Resignations were received from Henry Owings and Andrew and Roberta Adams. The Secretary was asked to write them of our regrets at losing them as members. Suggestions for new members should be given to the membership committee.

Questions: Mrs. Herron told of a sale of plants to be on May 4th at the Farm Womens Market in Bethesda. She commented that things either die or get too big! We were asked to name a shade tree to grow for the next generation. Swamp maple, purple beech, copper beech and birch were suggested. What about gibberelin? It was thought that it only produced large stem growth but not more flowers or fruit. It makes cells grow oblong not round. There is a chemical that will produce dwarfed stems of plants but large flowers. No one of us had tried this. It may throw nature out of balance to use a "grower" that has mostly nitrogen in it year after year, such as giberelin. Francis Thomas has cut of the top of an elm, circled the bark and cut its roots and put weed killer on it to stop growth as he wants it as a fence post now. He wonders if it will grow. He hopes not.

The exhibit referred to last month,- gifts of the Czar will bee continued at the Corcoran Gallery for several months. There is an exhibit of minerals and the Hope Diamond at the National Museum now. Geranium cuttings may be made by rooting in water or sand,or by putting vermiculite in a holes with with them and keeping watered well. Wait a week oe two to put potted tuberous begonias outdoors. One plant has wintered over, however in a protected spot outdoors for 4 years. The Krickers have a quince tree but find it needs a lot of spraying. The tree peony and passion flower seeds show no sign of life yet.

Dues were collected in the amount of $6.25. Greetings were brought by Leon Small from the Bentleys who hope to attend again when frost has gone,- it affects Jack's arthritis.

The next place of meeting will be Great Ease, on June 6th. The readers will be Agnes Kricker and Richard Woodward. (Notice was given of the Little Theater production of "Howie" on May 12 & 13 and 19 & 20 to be at Olney Theater)

Mary Moore Miller Secretary

Most of us had time for a tour of the lovely gardens at Great Ease while the lights were bright and playing among the shadows cast by the stately trees on the grounds. Gorgeous is the one word to describe the roses of many kinds in bloom on the bushes and displayed as single specimens or in bunches on the supper tables. Peonies, iris and lillies were lovely as were smaller, less showey flowers, in the garden and in beds around the terrace. Although there were several members absent, the food went together as well as usual, capped by strawberries and cake in different forms.

In the absence of the President, Douglas Farquhar. our Vice President presided. A message was sent by the Secretary to the President, telling Robert how much we missed him and hoped he would soon be with us again/

The minutes of last month were read and approved. 50c in dues were collected.

Agnes Kricker read "Strange Bedfellows", an article by John Hersey, Symbiosis is the harmonious living together of plants for the mutual benefit of each. Many examples were given,- too numerous to give in detail here but it would bear re-reading before we go weeding. garlic with roses reduces mildew and blackspots; wild mustard is good for grapes and many other plants; spruce trees and needles are good for strawberries; radishes in cucumber hills wards off beetles; pumpkins with corn, or peas with corn; lima beans like locust leaves. On the other hand, potatoes and sunflowers stunt each other.

Sylvia Woodward read for Richard who could not be present. Cucurbit is the word for any member of the gourd family to which cantalopes belong, and her article on "How to Grow Cantalpoes" was very helpful. A cool spell at the time of ripening damages the flavor. Sandy loam is the best soil; Honey Dew wants a dry climate; the critical time is baby-hood for melons. Fertilize and manure well; water is needed if the leaves wilt in mid-day; a hole near the root signifies a borer, probably. Use a melon dust not DDT. Plant about May 1st around here, members advised and Harvest Queen is a favorite variety for some. There is a new plant tab- F48- being used instead of fertilizer which Douglas Farquhar has liked as it can be used right next to a seed or plant without burning it. Bolgiano sells it.

Mentions was made of a picture in the Washington Post of Sydney Hutton and son Sydney Jr. with the caption that Sydney Sr. had brought the Peace and Pink Peace roses to this country.

Forethought: Dahlias may be planted to mid/June. Pinch Chrysanthemums for the second time. Divide and replant iris after they bloom. Plant perennial seeds. Spray bugs. Cut flowers with not too long stems to as not to weaken plants. Trim shrubs. Plant for succession of vegetables up to winter. Apply hot brine to kill grass in walks. Twists of wisteria try to kill each other.

The Meteorologist reported for May: Ave. High Temp. 69* Highest 86* on the 9th; ave. Low 49*; Lowest 38* on the 4, 5th and 28th; Mean temp. 59* for the month. Total rainfall 3.37 inches measureable rain fell on 16 days.

Grace Thomas will serve as the Assistant Secretary amf read the list of exhibits as follows: Bien Venue had 13 wild flowers in bloom which were very interesting and attractive; Oakley had iris, lemon Lily, peonies and lessimicia(a yellow flower in a spray; The Cottage had five kinds of columbine, pansies, Sweet Williams, pinks, and Veronica; Fieldhead had peas, parsley, onion, spinach, potatoes and tomato. The Cedars (see below) ***

Birds: Quail are eating strawberries; crows are eating corn; something is eating petunia blooms. A crow repellant made with creosote can be put in each hill of corn. Use gloves to protect hands.

The names of Flora and Harry Goff were proposed and they will be told that we would like them to become members if, after visiting, they decide they want to join. The Secretary was asked to inform them of this action and the Canbys will invite them to the next meeting. Also, the committee will follow up on the siggestion and approval to ask Bea and Claire Hutton to join.

The Northeast Montgomery County Council has held meetings on zoning and public parks. There is not enough money for parks as proposed.

Questions: The boxwood bush at Great Ease can be separated at the roots. Cuttings of most box can be made in the spring. Francis Thomas told of a method of putting large crocks filled with water in between cucumber hills then using burlap bags as wicks to convey the water to the plants.

Iris can be ordered from Oregon as well as Ohio. Crows are a nuisance in some ares. To get rid of them, shoot one and hang it up. This has worked for some people to scare them away.

The next meeting will be at Fieldhead on July 4th. Ulric and Rose Hutton will be asked to tell of their recent trip to the West.

As the Secretary will be away on vacation next time, Elizabeth Ligon consented to serve.

Mary Moore Miller Secretary

*** The Cedars: Asparagus. rhubarb, three kinds of lettuce, radishes, onions, parsley, strawberries, and a handsome white peony.