Page 2

H/4/1989-2-

April 4, 1989; page 2
John Hartge followed with a piece from the March National
Gardening magazine that told of a scientist who was putting
the tiniest known bar codes on the back of honeybees and a
laser scanner at the hive's entrance so that their habits
could be better known and understood.

Leslie Rogers had some flyers concerning gypsy moths and
local spraying information. Beth Bullard brought notice to
the year 1910 when the state of Massachusetts spent over a
million dollars to try unsuccessfully to control the moth.
The moral seems to be that the moth's population will
naturally implode after it blossoms. If one can survive the
damage, it sometimes works to do nothing and let the odious
little monsters live themselves to death.

Beth Bullard reported that the revised new edition of
Successful Gardening is out and available for $7.95 - small
price to pay for sound advice on local gardening matters.

Old minutes from 100 years ago were read by Elizabeth
Thornton. The Society met at Edgewood on April 8th, 1889.

The Nominating Committee made a further recommendation to
press Ellen Hartge into service as Society Forethoughter.
As John Hartge looked smug, the mantle of Society
Meteorologist was passed to his shoulders from those of Tom
Farquhar.

Iduna Hanel offered the first dizzying Forethought of the
season. It included advice to pot and repot vegetable
seedlings. Clean debris from areas to be planted. Spread
lime to control leafspot. Spray fruit trees as soon as
petals drop and leaves appear. Fertilize trees.
Peonies if they are transplants will need a couple of years
to acclimate and reach full stride.
Early begonias and peonies will need full sun.
Clean the strawberry patch. Clean as well the grape vines
of any mummified fruit that might harbor fungus or pests.
In preparing vegetable beds fireplace (but not barbeque)
ashes are good to add. Sow boston lettuce, cauliflower,
radishes, carrots and peas. Later in the month put in bean
seeds and plan to put in successive plantings.

The Meteorologist Report was clouded with apologies from the
dethroned Tom Farquhar who became distracted part way
through his tenure by small items such as a catapulting
career, attendant change of residence, etc., etc. We were
able to glean data that indicated a basically mild winter.
John Hartge provided some specifics he just happened to have
on his person;
January had a low of 6 degrees on the 5th and a high 57 on
the 29th. Peak wind gust was 33mph.