Club Minutes: Enterprise Farmers Club, 1865-1872

4th mo 20th 1872 [April 20, 1872] -- The Club met at Falling Green the residence of Charles H Brooke The meeting came to order a few minutes past 4 P. M. with Arthur Stabler a[s] foreman. P. T. Stabler Frederick -- Stabler & Wm S Brooke were absent and we had as guests Wm E. Magruder & Charles Farquhar. After reading the minutes of the meeting held here in 2nd mo[nth] of 71 We commenced our walk we were first shown the garden which was in first rate order and the early vegatable [sic] hot beds &c quite well advanced. We were led over the pale fence into the young orchard to examine the apple trees which had been trim[m]ed some thought too much, others thought not too much in some places, and not enough in others, the conclusion arrived at by the secretary was that there is rearly [sic] very little positavely [sic] known about the trim[m]ing of fruit trees especially apple trees, the peach trees in this orchard which were planted since the Club started were nearly all gone

The Wheat seen in an adjoining field was thought to be too thin -- we crossed a field intended for pasture where we saw two colts that did not look remarkably well but seemed lively and no doubt will come out all right if we have plenty of rain and hot sun to bring on the grass in this pasture, which looks the worst of having been kept down short this spring We now reached another orchard which has been used as a pasture for a number of years and as might be expected the trees are giving away to the very fine sod of green grass; coming to a piece of wet land the qustoin [sic] was put how to ditch it most of those present would cut a ditch around it just between wet and and one throught [sic] it; one would cut ditches every 25 yds ft. through it Going on a little further we came to another orchard which had been trimmed the second time some thought it would not stand another thorough trim[m]ing. passing on through the last year's wheat field where the set of grass was found to be fain ^fair in most nlaces we came to three nice heifers which were admired and discussed -- at considerable length.

We left the pigs to the last which though not so numerous as usual were in good condition except two that were shut up in the hen house to work over the compost or som[e]thing of the kind. Questions 1st I have of an acre shall I plant Mangel Wurzel -- or Plant potatoes and buy mill feed ans 9 for Mangel Wurzel 4 for Potatoes 2 don't know Will 2 inch white pine be strong enough for hay carriage rails -- 18 inch deep ans 11 in favor of other kinds of wood 3 for pine 2 don't know 3rd How much is it worth per bu[shel] to cut seed potatoes ans. 13 7/11cts 4th I have a lot of ashes how shall I apply them ans 8 would mix them in compost 4 would put them around apple trees 1 on grass 1 on -ootatoes 5th I have a little Alderney heifer that has a calf shall I take the calf off and milk the heifer or let the calf run with the heifer all summer -- & calf run. ans 10 would milk 4 let cow and the [?]

6th What is the best mulch for Strawberries ans 7 say stable manure 3 straw 1 saw dust 1 leaves 7th Shall I apply plaster in the hill or to the corn after it comes up ans 10 [sic] would mix with compost 2 would put on top 1 would not apply ^any 8th My fodder has given out shall I turn out on my meadow or feed hay. ans 11 would turn out 3 would feed hay 9th How can I get rid of mushrooms in my hot bed ans Pull them out 10th Shall I apply as tar to sone [I] pea[c]h before planting ans No. 11th Shall I pasture my mowing field not ans Not if it can be avoid[ed] 12th Which of the heifers we saw in the field would you take to be the best ans 4 liked the white one 4 [liked the] Bland [one] 6 [liked the] Brandle [sic] 13 Does the drilled wheat not look best at this time ans 11 say Yes. 4 No adjourned to 5-19th at Wm S Brookes

18th of 5th Mo1872 Club met at the house of Wm S. Brooke's. the members were slow about coming and as we had not minutes of the meeting held here last year and it was raining we enjoyed our selves in a social way for more than a half an hour When Asa M Stabler was appointed foreman B. H. Miller Samuel Hopkins & Wm S Bond were absent, and George E. Brooke and Henry. C. Hallowell were our guests We walked as far as the new milk house which was pronounced very nice and complete Our host has cut the pines between his house and the road which is a very great improvement and will add very much to the already pretty situation when he gets the brush out of the way and the land set in grass. The rain prevented any further walk but we saw the men planting corn in an adjourning feild and were told there was some plowing to be done yet.