Club Minutes: Enterprise Farmers Club, 1865-1872

being almost entirely white. the killing hogs looked well and the Berkshire Boar was thought a fine specimen, passing by the corn house where we saw, quite a large flock of ducks and chickens to where a new Ice h[o]use is being dug. On reaching the house the minutes of the last meeting were read and J. T. Moore moved that we except [sic] the report of the committee made at Samuel Hopkin[']s and that the committee be continued with full power to act from the Club.

Eight qu[ar]ts of wheat was received from the Agriculture Beaurau [sic] 4 qu[ar]ts of which was put in the hands of Charles H Brooke & the remainder to B. H. Miller.

Qu[e]s 1 Shall I sow Orchard grass seed when I sow my wheat or wiat [sic] untill [sic] Spring Ans Wait untill [sic] Spring

Qu[e]s 2 How much Boughton¹ wheat shall I sow to the acre Ans 2, 1 1/4. bus 2, 1 3/4 bus. all the rest 1 1/2bus p[e]r @

Qu[e]s 3 What is the average yeild [sic] of wheat for 1872. as far as threshed

Ans The highest yeild [sic] 23 1/2 bus per acre lowest 4 bus per acre average of 10 crops 15 bus 24 lbs per acre.

Qu[e]s 4 How much wheat will the members sow Ans The 14 members present expect to sow 323 acres -- 30 -- 20 = 373

Qu[e]s 5 I have 22 acres of fodder and 22 head of 2 1/2 years old Cattle how many cattle must I sell to winter the balance nicely Ans 3 would sell 11. 3/10 . 1/12 . 1/8 . 5/7 . 1/6 . 1/4 average 8/15

Qu[e]s Shall I dig potatoes or wait untill [sic] the vines are dead Ans Wait untill [sic] the vines are dead.

The best way to appyling² manur[e] was again brought up by a qu[e]stion as to w[h]ether it would be best to put munure [sic] on stub[b]le ground or next years corn feild [sic], I think the Club is a unit in the bel[i]ef that stable & barn yard manure ought to be kept on or near the su[r]face of the ground.

We had the company of several gentlemen who added to the interest of the occasion

Adjou[r]ned to B. H. Millers 10th mo 12th 1872

Wm W. Moore sec

10th Mo[nth] 12th 1872 [October 12, 1872] The Club met at B. H. Miller[']s 4. O. C. found but 3 or 4 members present, at 4.30 P. M. 9 members had arrived and we organised by appointing Jos. T. Moore foreman. The minutes of our last meeting here were read, and we started out to examine the place.

The dairy was examined & we were pleased to hear that it has answered first rate all through the hot weather of the passed summer.

The hogs were but few in number and rather below the average ^generally found on this place.

The barn was visited but we did not see much above the floor except some very nice white wheat.

Passing on to the pasture feild [sic] the cows were examined and some nice heifers noticed besides a number of well developed cows We crossed a sod feild [sic] that had been set on corn stubble the grass seemed to have a good hold but the ground was very rough

We passed over the corn feild [sic] now sown in wheat, to examine the sowed corn; at the same time crossing the potatoe [sic] patch where the potatoes were tu[r]ning out about 65 bus to the acre. the fodder was examined pretty throughily [sic] and various opinions formed as to the propri[e]ty of put[ting] it away. the most of the members would put it in the barn, some thought it adviseable [sic] to mix straw through it.

On reaching the house the minutes of the last meeting were read.

Arthur Satabler [sic] moved that we have a permanent Presedent [sic] which was lost by a vote of 10 no 2 yes

Samuel Hopkins now moved that the Secretary shall criticise the order at each meeting Carried -- unamiously [sic].

Qu 1st P. T. Stabler has a Colt that has a cracked hoof shall he keep it shod Anns [sic] Yes -- and he was advised to file or scrape the hoof very thin just at the top of the crack & keep it well greased or cover with tar

2n How to keep sweet potatoes Ans. Keep them warm and dry.

3rd What is is [sic] worth to husk good corn and not tie the fodder 10 say .25 cts and tie fodder 10 " .20 " " not tie 3 " 22 " " tie " " 18 " " not tie 1 " 23 " " tie .17 not tie 1 " 22 " " " . " " " Average 24 1/15 tie -- 19 1/5 " "

4th Are white hind feet on a stallion objectionable -- Yes a very serious one with most of us.

5th How shall I sow a corn feild [sic] -- in wheat -- that has considerable quan[t]ity of fox tpil grass on it Ans Harrow well and drill the wheat in sow the grass seed with the wheat.

6th What kind of fence shall I tup [sic] up as a lawn fence Ans Verious [sic] kinds proposed but most favor a plank fense [sic] with 3 straight planks and two narrower ones crossing others as [small drawing of fence]

7th -- To set a lawn in grass Ans Plow this Fall and sow early in the spring with a little Oats