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Springdale May 2nd, 1972 with Lucy and Ellis Manning

More May showers did not dampen the enthusiasm of
the Horticultural Society as they came together at the
gracious home of the Mannings. The rain kept some of
us from the gardens which are well - planned to be enjoyed
from the house, with the boxwoods contrasting the many
other greens of a moist May.

Following a typical bountiful dinner, the meeting
was called to order by President Harry Goff. We regretted
the absence of Mary Reading and Bob Miller, Walter Wilson
and Claire and Rose Hutton. The minutes were approved
as read. Unfinished business included reports on the
cantaloupe seeds previously given out; Elizabeth Ligon
and Sara Mannakee are having good results and are hoping
to harvest 25 lb. fruit - or maybe 5. The Annual Treasurer's
report stated a balance on hand of $41.25. Dues were
collected from 13 members.

We were happy to have John Weske back with us to
give a talk on the Siberian frontier, where he has spent
much of the winter. The rich, black Steppe soil is made
by grass which makes it fibrous, insulating and very light
- peat moss, in fact - retaining moisture even though the
precipitation is about 1/3 the amount we have.
Snow falls until May 10, but the ice goes by May 30 and
the growing season begins for a suprising variety of
crops; wheat ( Sparse this year because of the Ukraine's
lack of snow and an unexpectedly late frost ), potatoes,
buckwheat ( John finds it a treat to drive through the vast
fields in bloom), cucumbers, cabbage, horseradish, berries,
and dairying.

The Siberians live in dense quarters in the city,
with gardens of about 1/4 acre outside the city where
they raise, among other things, wonderful raspberries
and black ( not red ) currants which are delicious as well
as rich in vitamins. Wild strawberries are found in
abundance and the reindeer scratch through the snow for
cranberries. ( Flora Goff was glad to know where Rudolf's
red nose came from).

Trees are limited mostly to pines and birch., but
Siberians are proud of successful experiments with apple
trees to develop a fruit suitable to their short season.
September, when the birches are gold, is the best
month for gathering mushrooms, which are impaled on
thorns of sloe trees to dry - and be enjoyed by birds
and squirrels.

Medicinal plants grown include mustard and garlic,
the juice of which is squeezed on bread to combat Grippe.

John's comment on the weather in his town made us
happy with Maryland. It was -42° this winter and is the
hottest place in the Soviet Union in summer.

The mention of black currants elicited remarks from