Club Minutes: Horticultural Society, 1989

H/9/1989-3.

Friends Community House, September 5, 1989; page 3

Sylvia Woodward wanted to know when to stop feeding humming birds. Some say September 1st or they won't migrate. The Bullards are still feeding theirs but they said they'd probably stop shortly. Beth Bullard mentioned that 100 years ago goldenrod was the chosen favorite for national flower but now it's the rose and marigold. Ellis Manning has 2 maple trees with sawdust at the base. Told not to worry - probably carpenter ants chewing through wood that's already dead. He also saw a 4 inch long yellow and black bee. Identified as a cicada killer but equally dangerous looking to non-cicadas. Nancy Preuss said her crabapple tree foliage has a lacy appearance and no fruits. It's been a bad year for crabapples. Last year had tent caterpillars and this last spring there were late frosts.

The last question dealt with and no further business or commentary we thanked Priscilla Allen for her efforts, good spirits, and hospitality and adjourned the meeting. We agreed to have our last gathering of the season at Clifton on October 3 when Mary Seiler would be the reader.

With abject apologies for careless spellling and mindless prose,

Peter Austin Secretary,

H/10/1989-1-

Clifton, October 3, 1989: page 1

October 3, 1989, Clifton

We closed our 1989 season at Clifton, home of Jim and Beth Bullard. Everything was perfectly in order, elegant, comfortable, and steeped in warmth and hospitality. Although we were unfortunate to be missing the Canbys we welcomed to our ranks Sally Eller, Ellis and Mary Manning, and Sherry and Ted Fletcher. We also were pleased to have with us Henry and Esther Thornton, Mary Moore Miller, Sylvia Woodward, Martha Nesbitt, and Hans and Mariana Yorg Maur.

After luxuriating in pleasant company and a bountiful meal we repaired to the sitting room and began the meeting with the reading of the minutes which were thereafter nodded into history.

Mary Seiler, the selected reader, regained everyone's attention with an article about guano and its historic importance to Montgomery County's depleted agricultural base in the 1800's. Mary followed up with a N.Y. Times article about guano that reported on an upsurge in the its use, the various types available, comparative prices (25,000 year old North American bat is half the price of South American seabird) and the amazing effect it has on plants.

John Hartge followed with his father's vivid and harrowing account of being in the merciless bootstep of Hurricane Hugo a few weeks earlier on the island of Culebra.

The Forethought advised us on tasks geared toward wrapping up the growing season as well as preparing for next year.

The Meteorologist Report termed the preceding month's weather as interesting. We had had 6.68 inches of rain which put us ahead of the average rainfall to date by 10.25 inches. The coolest point had been 34 degrees on the 28 of September and the warmest had been 94 degrees on the 14th. Despite earwigs in his anemometer John noted that the peak gust was 28 mph on the 22nd and 23rd. Further mention was of a dash of frost at the Chances and at Clifton.

EXHIBITS A grand variety of seasonal items were passed around and admired.

The Bird Report was spare. Most notable comment was that it was a fit time to visit Hawk Mountain or Cape May to view the migrating birds.

There were no Committee Reports and no New Business.

Questions;

Mary Seiler inquired whether lily ponds should be heated. Perhaps not heated but the water should be circulated.

H/10/1989-2.

Clifton, October 3, 1989: page 2

Beth Bullard mentioned that before leaving on vacation she had nice potato vines and potatoes in the ground but upon return there was bad vole damage on the crop. Advised not to take vacations.

Also what's the green in potatoes close to the surface? Chlorophyll - which won't hurt you if eaten.

Priscilla Allen has a row of peonies all of which are healthy but one which is brown and obviously failing. Advised to probably get rid of it and closely observe the rest.

Lydia Haviland described and the meeting identified the fruit of the Korean Dogwood.

Martha Nesbitt wants to plant pink dogwood but worries that they won't survive more than two years because of the dogwood disease that's going around. Advised to go ahead and plant.

Sylvia Woodward wanted to know whether dusty miller is annual or perennial. Annual.

Harold Earp asked how to collect saffron. Slowly and at great expense. Cheaper to shell out a bundle and buy it.

Elizabeth Thornton mentioned the yellow flowered plants across from Friends House. Jerusalem Artichokes ? No, tickweed.

Jim Bullard brought a picture of a cicada killer which had been mentioned in a previous meeting.

The last official act of the evening was positioned to reach the membership when they were in their most relaxed, benign states. With a rapid, blurred and somnifacient delivery, the Secretary announced the meeting schedule for 1990.

Before protests could be summoned we thanked the Bullards for a delightful evening and fitting close to the season. Before retreating into the chill of the fall and winter we agreed to meet next at Lydia Haviland's April 3rd, 1990 when Mo Chance would be reader.

With regrets for ommissions, transgressions, and obsessions,

Peter Austin Secretary