Club Minutes: Horticultural Society, 1907-1917

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{1}Questions. Is it a good way to keep cabbage to bury the heads with earth, roots up? If well headed so like it but most use the old fashioned way; in trenches with fodder shed. {2}What is the objection to giving chickens cabbage? Hay and Alfalfa is thought to be better. Carrie Brooke gives hers all the cabbage they can eat. Black walnuts are excellent for them. They eat them greedily. {3}How treat rhubarb now, October? Put quantities of manure from the cow stable on it. {4}How raise mushrooms? Henderson says they should be planted in August. We refer you to his directions. {5}When and with what should spinach be covered? In early winter with straw. At Riverside it was fine and had not been covered. {6}Will night blooming cereus and hibiscus keep in a cellar? No. {7}Is it best to rake lawns in the fall? It is best not allow the leaves to lie in masses which kills the grass. {8}How late use the lawn mower? A difference of opinion. Some say till October. Others think it should not be done so late.

The garden? Is it ever anything less than good at this place? Secretary had to leave before visiting it.

Readers Sarah Kirk Mary Magruder

49 H/4/1908-1-

Highland

April 4th 1909

A very beautiful day for our first meeting and an unbroken membership. Our President congratulated us upon our having passed through the winter with no loss in our circle. He read an extract from the Annals of Sandy Spring. The author said if our society lived a year it might continue to exhist! This is its 45th year. At our last meeting an article was read suggesting bringing in the plants of wild flowers for blooming in the house in winter. Elizabeth Iddings brought in Hepaticas which bloomed the 16th of February and are still blooming. At Rock Spring a large branch of lilac was broken off by the storm of March 4th. It came in bloom beautifully and gave much pleasure to the family and their friends.

The minutes were read and approved. 1st Reader, Sarah Kirk read of the seedless orange. A lady gave some cuttings to the Dep. of Ag. From those cuttings came our seedless orange. Her address is not known or it would be a pleasure to let her know that her gift is appreciated.

2nd Mary Magruder read of a system and scale of colors to insure having flowers in bloom at the months possible. Volunteer, Dr. Kirk read from a magazine, published in 1792, extracts which showed that methods in gardening used then were similar to those in use now. E.S. Iddings read Carl Morton's

{50} H/4/1909-2-

planting an orchard of three trees, an elm an apple and a cottonwood when he was five years old thirty years ago. The Elm and Cottonwood are fine trees. The seedling apple is a gnarled, scrubby little tree.

Forethought

This is a working month, planting seeds working arounf raspberry and black berry plants, rhubarb etc. Let out cabbage, start hot-beds, work around rosebushes and fertilize with bone dust. Take cuttings of begonia and geranium.

Meteorologist gave no report Janet Miller had nothing for us. Poultry report, 1697 this month. 265 more than we had last year Exhibits, were fine, tulips and jonquils from out of doors and fine blooms from windows gardens and conservatories; onions, potatoes salsify parsnips of last year, fine. Kale, spinach lettuce and radishes and apples, all good.

Questions {1}Is it too early to set turkey eggs? No, some members say they succed best with early setting. {2}What the latest time it will do set our apple trees? 10th of May. {3}What kind of apples for 30 trees? Refered to Edward P. Thomas, to be answered at next meeting. {4}Any any truth in the idea that Cedar trees injure orchards by harboring insects? Some think it true and that Haawthorn hedges are equally undesirable. We have no personal knowledge. {5}What to with chickweed? Plow it under in the fall and keep the ground cultivated. {6}How often turn eggs over? Every day.

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{7}Mulch roses in the fall? Mary Magruder says mulch with leaves in the fall and manure in the spring. {8}Which is best an open drain or terra cotta pipe? Most prefer terra cotta pipe and say if it gets clogged it is easily cleaned with hot concentrated lye. {9}Is it worth while to start Lima beans in a hot-bed? They will come a week earlier and are easily transplanted. Plant last week in April. {10}Divide old currant bushes? Yes. Set six feet apart. "Perfection" is said to be the best; good bearer. {11}What experienve in putting salt around quince trees? Said to be a good plan to put bags of salt in the trees and it dissolves with rains. Quinces require much water, sometimes they are planted the banks of streams. {12}How much later will it do spray apple trees? It is not too late now. Spray three times. {13}When plant dahlia roots? Last of April. {14}Too late to plant sweet peas? No, soak them first.

Ellen Fargnhar brought samples of paper pots Corrie Brooke who has been to Charleston described the live oaks covered with southern moss and the beautiful Magnolias. Robert Miller says our "Reed" plumtrees will be ready this fall.

A threatened thunder storm made us leave so hastily we did not see the gardens but knowing our host we feel convinced that all was in perfect order and peas up and all as it should be in April. Meet next at Riverside.

Readers Eliza Moor and Mrs. Davis.

52 H/5/1909-1-

Riverside

May 4th 1909

A beautiful day. Professor J. P. Iddings remarked on the surprising punctuality of our guests. He has been told the company was dire at 15 minutes of 4 o'clock and at fourteen mniutes of 4 a carriage appeared followed immediately by dozens of others. {1}st Reader, Eliza Moore read of trees, old and interesting of Europe and California. Locust and chestnut have the best-lasting qualities the Redwood make good weather boarding. {2}nd Reader, absent Volunteer E.S. Iddings a short poem by a Horticulturist 81 years old J.J.H. Gregory of Marblehead Mass. Corrie Brooke told of walk in early spring and of finding twenty nine varieties of flowers in bloom in an hour's time. Emma Stabler read a list of the flwoers of different states. Hallie Lea gave an article recommending toads for the garden; a 4x5 [food?] said to consume 47 cubic yards of insect per min.

Forethought

Plant more seeds, set our plenty of plants, weed and cultivate those growing. How would it do to appoint a "good order" committee to go from place to place to condemn or admonish or praise as needed and encourage to greater care of gardens, lawns, etc.? Refered to the Executive Committee. Janet Miller read an instructive article on poultry. Poultry report 3885 chickens an increase of 2188 since last meeting. Exhibits were very fine. The geraniums from