Club Minutes: Enterprise Farmers Club, 1865-1872

The club convened at White Hall. Members gathered slowly. An agricultural Croquet was indulged in until nearly five o'clock when Charles H Brooke was chose foreman. Thomas G. Lea, Benj. H. Miller, W. S. Brooke and Roger B. Fangrihan were absent. Gerrard Hopkins was the only guest. The foreman led us around first to the milk vault, which seems to have been discarded but which our host pronounces a good thing, it certainly needs more light-and ventilation. At a distance we [?] a Grindstone mounted on an old floor barrel whether it was put up there for use or ornament we were not-informed.

Passing an old graveyard enclosed with a brick fence some avaricious members wanted to know whether there would be any harm in taking away the brick and using them. The corn was ripe unto harvest the stalks were well eared a neighbors horse was enjoying the [?] of freedom and plenty of corn. We passed by some pear trees where there had been pears, the foreman set-to work stoning the trees as though he were angry with them for not having fruit-on now.

Our host-called forth with a stentorian voice and a fine lot of hogs and shoals came to view. We walked out-into a meadow to see the virtue of different kinds of manure. We could see to a line where lime was put-but 20 of Bone Dust-per acre made no show comparatively.

On returning to the house we enjoyed supper and the questions were propounded

How much red wheat should be sowed per acre with a drill; 1 1/2 bu

How much Peruvian Guano should be used per acre on wheat with no other manure applied: from 250 to 500 lbs.

My ground is plowed and manure handed out. Must I plow in the manure first or shovel it in with wheat? Shovel it in.

What shall I do to rid my wheat land of Oats? Some say cross plow, others shovel the wheat in after a good harrowing.

Several questions of mere personal interest-the secretary did not feel called upon to record.

It was asked when beef cattle would be cheapest but conjecture was the only answer given.

We then, after having spent quite at pleasant-evening, adjoined with some uncertainty as to where we would meet. Jhos G. Lea being next in order. E.P Thomas

10th Mo 12th 1867

The club met at the house of Jhos G. Lea. Benj. H. Miller, Roger B. Fargrihan, W. S. Bond were absent. James S. Hallowell, Sam. Jonny Ewd Lea and Ewd Gilpin and Ed. S. Lea were present as guests. Arthur Stabler was chosen foreman. Under his guidance we walked out into the Track patch where our host has tons of beets, rutabagas and Mangel Wurtzel ready for stock the coming winter. We were shown where a bushel of potatoes was dug from 17 yards of row. They were of the Gleason variety. One host has made many improvements since our last-meeting here. Among others we noticed a mice woodhouse with boys room above nicely plastered and a convenient cornhouse a shop and henhouse are underway and no doubt will soon be completed. Members till come staggering in. A fair portion of the corn remained uncut the blades bearing striking evidence of approach in winter. In the other corn field three crops have grown this year in profusion: corn, turnips, and pumpkins. We had a mock auction of a cow but no sale. We returned to the house, ate supper and asked and answered the following questions:

Corn is worth $4.00 in the fall what is it worth in the spring? From $4.50 to $5.00-majority say $5.00

Would you alter a large boar now or fatten him as he is? I would alter now, 5 would not, 1 don't know

M.Z. Wheat- was sowed before the rain must [?] must-I sow grape seed? Majority would sow now. Should pumpkin seed be feed to [?] no one seemed to know.

What is the price for two king corn this fall and what is it worth per lb in the field? husking 3 say 22 cb, 1-20, 7-25. Corn worth per lb. 4 say $4.00, 1-3,1-5,1-4.75. What is the relative value of frost-bitten fodder and that that is not? from 1/3 to 1/2.

What is the relative value of raw bone and dissolved bone as fertilizers? no one knows these relative values but-all are in favor of dissolved bone. Often discussing other questions were adjourned to meet at B.H. millers at the usual time next mo. E.P. Thomas Lee

11th mo 9th 1867 The club met at B.H. Millers. Roger R. Fargrihan W. S. Bond and Samuel Hopkind were absent. Joseph J. Moore, P Hallowell [Jarguhar?] were our only guests. W.W. Moore was chosen foreman, and business was [?] with earlier than common

On walking around we noticed a pair of new barn doors, put up on the most-approved style with rollers. The corn house was being filled up with fine sound ears. Our host has made considerable progress getting in corn. The pain of gates spoken of in last year's minutes are still in use. In the pasture field we saw some very healthy looking young cattle belonging to our host among others a yearlong Aldernis bull which he is raising.

to benefit himself and the community. A lot of western cattle stopping in the field looked very bilious. The timothy field that was pronounced a failure last year has a beautiful sod on it now.

Our hosts pigs look very well except they have a weak set of legs under them.

We then went to the house and after supper the following questions were propounded and [discerned?]: 1st Is there any remedy for the ravages of dogs? one. Shoot them. 2nd Cannot something be done to find out the best way to preserve posts? No plan a [dopled?] 3rd What is the best kind of harrow? Ans. All except one in favor of the "Diamond" 4th How many potatoes raised by the club this year? Ans 8845 lb. 5th Is white an objectionable color for [?]? Ans. The majority would not object to the color. 6th What are white-oak posts worth handling in the woods? Ans. 6 to 10 [?]? 7th Can a good floor be made in a pig den with large flintstone? Ans most members think favorably of it. 8th What shall I do with a cow that has hollow horn when it is impossible to keep holes open? Ans. Some one recommended [?] a 3/4 [?] hole in the middle of her forehead other say leave the horns off. After discussing other matters we adjourned to meet at the usual time next month at Tom. W. Moors E.P. Thomas