Club Minutes: Horticultural Society, 1935

H/9/1935-4-

4) nity House on August 6 _ where they talked most interestingly on plant pests and tree blights.

Only a few members brought exhibits & among them we noted the fine display from Cloverly: the seckle pears from the Cedars 90 year old tree. A new type of English hybrid Delphinium from seed sown this spring, & a lovely window box of achimims (sp?) of Mr Lindley Clarke's who again invited us to visit their garden.

Questions - Where can good grass seed at a reasonable price be bought _ Griffith & Turners considered very reasonable _

It was thought it was a blight that was turning zinnia foliage brown.

Is it too late to sow seed in seed bed _ Perennials can still be sown if protected in winter, excelsior being the best covering _

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Does any one have any cherry trees which can be used for budding from a Kentish Common tree _ No volunteers _

How many flower growers have the pink violet (Rozena) that lives out of doors & blooms spring & fall _ Not many familiar with it _

Nasturtiums that were disappointing early were cut off & have put up & now are luxurius.

It was thought possible that Hallowell's transplanted dog wood tree that seems to droop if not kept watered may have a borer in it : rub off the bark and put tar on it _

The African violet is a good house plant that blooms all winter _

Adjourned to meet at Norwood on Oct 1st with lunch at 1 o'clock _

Readers _ Albert Stabler & Mary Hutton _

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Norwood, Oct. 1^st, 1935

For its last meeting of 1935, the Horticultural Society met at Norwwood. After strolling thru the well-kept and productive gardens, and inspecting our Fall specimens of vegetables and flowers, we were called to lunch. Mr. Hurry called the meeting to order after our delightful repast, and as the secretary was absent, Helen Farquhar was asked to act in her place.

After the minutes of the last meeting had been read, Elza Thomas gave us a report on curry powder, having been asked to give the society information on its origin and use.

As reader of selected article, Mary Hutton read an interesting account of insects and insecticides. Many elements are harmful to insects, but not to man, thereby making some control of pests possible. Pyrethrum is imported by the ton from Japan for use in America as our chief insecticide.

Albert Stabler in his usual interesting manner read and talked of his ideas on being left-handed. He also spoke of using lime on acid-soil-laious. He uses ground limestone, 50 lbs. lime (hydrated) or 75 lbs. ground to each 1000 ft. of soil. Can be applied now. Commercial fertilizer 5% notrate, 10% phosphate, 5% potash before seeding.

Mary Magruder read a delightful letter from Rebecca T. Miller describing vegetables in Honolulu.

H/10/1935/2

Alice Stabler read from "Garden Gossip" a description of the first meeting of the society.

To the question of how often to spray orchards, Robert Miller says twice as often as you have time. A schedule is mailed from Maryland University giving proper spraying times.

Our Forethought Committee member reminded us of several timely garden duties. Now is the time to transplant parsley for the house, mulch asparagus, pick tomatoes before frost harms them. Hydrangea may be put in the cellar, and geraniums should be left out until later. Put wood ashes on roses, and leave them alone until spring. Chop fresh herbs, place in crock and cover with salt.

The assistant sec'y read the list of exhibits, seven families having brought specimens.

Margaret Bancroft asked if it really pays to send away for seed. Dr. Nichols recommended saving your own. Robt. Miller uses Bolgiano's believing local seed best suited to our gardens, He uses [Trust Benster?] seed potatoes. Save lima beans from pods containing four or five beans to a pod.

F. H. McReynolds says that the fertilizer on his apsaragus cost $22.00 and he got very little asparagus

H/10/1935-3-

Hobart Hutton uses commercial fertilizer. Albert Stabler says use straw, ammonia, etc. J. B. McR. has mill Iris seed to give away. Andrew Adams has bulbs for sale for the first time. Elza Thomas asks if now is the time to plant a new aparagus bed. Yes. Cut down old asparagus before berries drop.

Announcement was made of a sale at Dr. Nichols at 100 P.M. on Thurs 10^th of a flower show at Mrs. Hough's on the 12^th, and the Rockville Flower Show on Friday, Oct. 4^th.

A [?] guest whose name the secretary failed to get evidently an Englishman, who with his wife was a guest of Mary Hutton's, spoke of English annuals and their growth in New York state. He says that roses are mulched in England in the spring only.

Sue Thomas told of a skunk that lives far too close. Albert Stabler says that most skunks are Democrats, hence very prevalent. He counteracted that research by saying that he had brought bags of apples to be distributed.

The pronunciation of "poinsettia' was questioned, investigated and reported. The last "i" is sounded.

Emma T. Stabler asks if there is any use for coal soot. No. Shall she put manure on rhubarb