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H/5/1988-1-

May 3,1988
The May 3rd meeting (# 869) of the Sandy Spring Horicultural Society met at
Quailhill , home of Elizabeth Thornton, Peter Austin and a smattering of
housemates. The day's weather although not splendid was benign and allowed
the Society to inspect the thin veener of grooming that made the grounds
and house seem inhabited by civilized creatures (possibly human) and not
gaping, slovenly primates. As the daylight waned everyone was gathered to
serve themselves dinner. We looked out the south facing picture windows as
a red fox made regal and leisurely appearance on the hillside above the
middle pond....compliments of Foxes-R-Us, Rockville, Maryland.

Guests included the first Society appearance of Marika Austin and Jamie
Rogers. There was also Mark Jacoby, Lisa Griffin, Liz Goll, Robin and Nell
Johnsen, Henry and Esther Thornton, Jan Westervelt, and Clive and Wendy Lawrence. Missing was Tom Canby, Iduna & Rudi Hanel and Flora & Harry
Goff.

After a delicious meal, the meeting began with an announcement from Tom
Farhquar regarding a colleague who orders flower bulbs from Europe at a
very good price.

The meeting was officially opened with the Treasurer's report. Despite
irresponsible managment and wild expenditures the cofferes swelled with the
opulent sum of $53.15. The yearly dues of 50 cents per family was
collected, extracted and cajoled from all those present. The suggestion that
those absent would pay an exorbitant penalty for lateness was voted down.

Susan Canby followed with a terrifying article about the back-breaking labor,
iron discipline, and nearly oriental view of gradual progress over time that
goes into creating and maintaing a lovely effortless looking wildflower
patch. The article was from the 1988 April Horticultural magazine and was
entitled "Can You Have a Meadow Garden?" it was subtitled "Yes , but it
takes planning, preparation, and dilligent follow-through. The whole article
was a direct contrast to the blite and seductive marketing attached to the so-called meadow-in-a-can. The advertisements foster the illusion that creating
a beautiful wildflower meadow involves the ease and neglect that's anathema
to any serious horticultural project. On the contrary, it requires preocedure,
hard-work, and about 3 years to hit stride.

In lieu of a voulunteer article, Mary Grady recommended a book entitled
"Honeysuckle Sipping" by Lise Chasanou. It sounds like a charming collection
of the tricks and magic that can be shared with children as one unfolds the
wonders of the green earth before them.

The minutes from 100 years ago detailed the meeting at Norwood, May 1st
1888. Of a multitude of facts and figure it was mentioned that watermelons
and cucumbers don't mix.

Priscilla Allen described her forethought as a reminder that most of what was forethoughted last month should be continued as the dizzying pace of summer activity shifted into high gear.