Club Minutes: Horticultural Society, 1918-1925

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Falling Green

April 2nd 1918

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We could not have had a more glorious spring day than was April 2nd, when we met to hold our first meeting (of the season) of the Horticultural Society.

The day was beautiful, and nature tried her best to make us glad, but as we gathered at dear old Falling Green, I feel sure each one was thinking of other days. and in the sweet cordial greeting we recieved, we missed the warm hand. clasp of the beloved host and hostess of former times.

As is the custom at the first meeting, our luncheon was served first, after which the meeting was called to order by Roger B. Farquhad.

The Sec. was absent, and Lillie B. Stabler was asked to act in her place. Mrs. Davis on behalf of the Executive Committee, reported they had met, + owing to the resignation of both the Pres. or Sec., the Committee suggested the of Charles F. Brooke as Pres.,

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and Lillie B. Stabler as Sec. of the society. Alban Thomas was asked to cast the vote of the society for said names, & after very pleasing remarks by Mr. Thomas the new officiers were installed.

Much deep appreciation was expressed for the able and faithful service of the former Pres. & Sec., _ and a note of love and appreciation was suggested being sent by the Sec., to Elizabeth Iddings.

The minutes of the last meeting were not present _ ownig to some mistake in the exchange of the books.

The readers for the afternoon had not been notified, as in the long winters vacation it had slipped their memory, so Anna Nestbitt and Helen Hallowell were reappointed for the May meeting. Our dear friend, Margaret Magruder, was not able to be with us, but sent a most interesting History of the Sandy Spring Horicultural Society for five years _ 1913_ 1918.

This was well read by Sarah Kirk. Cousin Margaret wished to resign from the office of historian, but the society

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was not willing to give up such an efficient officer without a sufficient excuse, so she was reappointed for another five years.

The Ex. Sec.left her financial affairs in tact, & $1.57 was found in the Sec's box.

The forethought com's. report was excellent _ as is always the case.

The poultry report followed, which resulted in 60 chickens accounted for, though [?] three families, Hermon, Norwood and Riverside were not represented at the meeting.

As the minutes for the past year have not been copied in the book, Cornelia Bentley very kindly offered to do this writing for the Society. The suggestion was gratefully accepted.

There was a good exhibit of flowers, fruits and vegetables, & the list of things was read by the assist Sec, Mary Stabler.

The com. of arrangements suggested we use, in future, paper napkins for our luncheon or supper whichever it may be; the motion recd

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a second, and was carried by vote. So hereafter, unless there may be a few, , very especial exceptions, we will look for this step toward economy in both linen & laundry. We were again reminded that it is a most important part of our program that we inform our hostess the evening before each meeting, how many from a family expect to attend.

If a family does not report to the hostess, and the name of said 'delinquents be given to your new, untried, inefficient Sec., she will proceed to take such steps in the matter as she thinks best! Emma Stabler was appointed to collect dues of 15 (cents marker) from each family.

The order of places for meeting this summer, was read. The first meeting at Falling Green then followed Fair Hill, Rockland, Riverside, Riverton, Tanglewood, & Invercauld.

The questions were many & varied.

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We were interested in learning that families report as many birds as usual at this time of year.

Janney Hutton had counted 27 varieties at their house.

One member in a home of two, loves cats, the other loves the birds, the lover of the birds gave interesting incidents among the feathered songsters about the grounds, perhaps next year, the place will be over-run with cat-birds!

Owing to the scarcity of seeds, the Horticultural was advised to raise all their seeds for home use.

Kate Janney kindly brought Sweet William plants for distribution, & Emily Massey brought a quantity of Sweet William seed to give away, also.

A motion was made and carried that the hour of holding the Horticultural during the summer months, should be changed from 4 to 5 by the clock, but the fact was impressed upon us, that by the sun, it would be the original time, of course.

The meeting adjourned to Fair Hill