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H/9/1966-2

9-5-1966
Page 2

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA AMERICANA

DATURA - A genus of the potato family, represented
in the United States chiefly by coarse weeds naturalized
from tropical America. Jamestown or Jimson weed is said
to have received its name from a poisoning that occurred
from its use by the settlers of Jamestown, Virginia.

It is also called thorn-apple, and found in
waste places the eastern seaboard west to Minnesota and
Texas. The purple thorn-apple or purple Datura Stramonium
is also found in the same region. An extract from these
plants is used in medicine. When taken internally it is
a powerful narcotic; medically used in mania, convulsions,
epilepsy, etc. When smoked it palliates the symtoms in
asthma. Seeds of some species were used by the aboriginal
Americans as norcotics, and are said to have produced the
frenzied ravings of the priest in the Delphic and some
other temples.

The Peruvians use for the same purpose Datura
Sanguinea, manufacturing from it also an intoxicating
beverage. Some plants are cultivated for their showy
flowers.

Bea Hutton has 2 or 3 families of Baltimore Orioles at her
home. The Bentleys, and others, have many coveys of Quail, while
President Ulric reported 13 quail eggs in one nest on his place.
Ellis Manning III has Bluejays nesting for the second time at his
home in town.

Starting the question period, Helen Farquhar remarked that
she was very busy getting her grandchildren ready for school, and
was also wondering why the flowerin- dogwood seems to be dying.
Injuries caused by lawnmowers could allow for some deterioration,
but we all hope next Spring's fertilizer will help the trees.

Dale Thomas commented further on the Datura plant, wondering
about its possible poisoning effects; which led Clive Lawrence to
mention that the first potatoes grown in England, sent from the colonies by Sir
Walter Raleigh, were also poisonous. It was also pointed out that
rhubarb leaves and elderly polk plants are sometimes poisonous.

Clive Lawrence asked: what perennials can be grown in this
arid County during the summer? Mostly shrubs, particularly the
Anthony Waterer Spirea, and Sunflowers. Mother Thomas mentioned
her single remarkable sunflower, 10 feet tall with 11 separate
big blooms; and the Ligons are raising 1/4 acre of them for the birds.

Rust Canby reminded us that not enough attention is paid to
the location and mulching of plants. The addition of cottonseed
meal into the ground is very effective, and mulch is so important
to change the flow of rain water and hold the moisture. He planted
potatoes as usual on March 15th, which produced beautiful plants in
6 weeks, but no tubers by July 1st. Plenty of water since then has
brought a good supply, evidenced by his exhibit.