Club Minutes: Enterprise Farmers Club, 1873-1878

122

3 Mo 24th 1877

The club met E P Thomas. Nearly all of the members present, and three guests. We were called to order at twenty minutes past four by Saml Hopkins as foreman, after reading the minutes at this place a year ago we started to view the premises. The first thing of interest to note was the house power churn, which certainly is a valuable machine for anyone keeping a dairy of a dozen, or more cows

The corn house was nearly full, but it wasnt corn. The hogs and cattle looked well, and no doubt their good condition was the cause of the leanness of the corn house. Under the guidance of our foreman we walked through the apple orchard set with clover which is a sane plant with some of us these days, Here we were showed in an adjoining field the marked effects of Lime, also ground plowed for an additional peach orchard

This farm is very thoroughly cultivated, and caries more stock than any other of the same acerage in this part of the country. On returning to the house the discussion of the numerous questions asked claimed our attention until time for adjorning

123 Question 1st Does it pay to sow the strip in our wheat fields with oats? A majority thought it did

Which is best way to harrow fresh plowed ground first time? Diagonal with the plowing unless the Sods pull up

What is the proper time to sow oats? from 1st to 7th of 4th Mo

Has anyone seen any effects from the use of Kainit ? Yes it killed wheat when applied in large quantities, and has been much in the way on the barn floors

What is the proper way to make a barnyard? This question gave rise to much discussion and various answer's, a majority of those present were in favor of nearly a level surface with a good fall from the barn so that it will drain

What shall I do for my horse that is off his feed ? Give him some powder's

What shall I do with my cow with the same disease ? Give her a shot too Shall I lime wheat ? No

Adjd to meet R M Stablers 21st 4 Mo77

124

4mo. 21^st 1877

The Enterprise Club met at Robt M. Stablers, 12 members present. W^m S. Brooke T. J Lea, B H Mills and Saml Hopkins were absent. Jos. Stabler, W.M Stabler & Wm Lea were our welcome guests. Before entering into the business of the Club, Jos. T. Moore circulated a paper, for the purpose of obtaining names, of those present, that were willing to become members of a society, for mutual protection against theiving. At 4.45 we were called to order by Authur Stabler as foreman.

After reading minutes of Club held at this house in '75_ we took our usual walk over the farm On leaving the porch, we were attracted by a novel self = aching, self-supporting & self adjusting clothes line _ being very simple in construction, and consisting of a wire cable, passing over rollers, with a heavy weight attached at one end. We were told that it answered the purpose well_ The garden made but little show, as there were not many of the Summer vegatebles planted yet. The pigs were not clean enough to thrive best, the pen having too much manure in it. After inspecting the cattle, we extended our walk thro' the peach orchard & grass fields, to the wheat which looked moderately well. Quite a marked difference was noticed, in favor of the wheat lying to the south, over that with a northern exposure. The orchards of this farm, furnish quite a large portion of the revenue. The fruit is

125 mostly of the best quality, and every peach and apple gets a gilt edge on it, so that when put in the market, are sure to bring the highest prices.

On returning to the house: The following questions were asked_ 1^st Will it pay to fertilize broad cast in [?] sedge ground, for corn ? Majority thought not. 2^nd Which is the best way to plant corn, all things considered, step or checkered ? Most of those present were of the opinion, that in clean land, of good quality, that step or drilled, was the way to get, the largest yield, of both corn and fodder. 3^rd Is it best to plant a young orchard in corn or potatoes ? Eight say potatoe -- five corn. 4^th Shall I put up post and rail, in the Canada fence ? The post and rail was thought to be good for inside fences, but not the cheapest. 5^th What kind of potatoes best to plant ? Unanimous Peerless 6^th What shall I do with sow with inflamed bag ? grease and rub well. 7^th What is best to do with field with no grass on it ? Five say plant in corn, and the rest, sow in wheat this fall. 8^th Will ashes liberate ammonia in compost for corn ? Don't know, but safest not to mix 9^th Is it too late to sow oats at this date ? No. After a pleasant evening adjourned to meet at W^m S. Bonds 6^thmo. 26^th 1877_

126 5^thmo. 26^th 1877 The Enterprise Club met at W^mS [Bonds?] Twelve members presents. The most of whom were on hand in good time, a circumstance, worthy of note, of this body. W^mLew & Dr Thomas were our guests. R. M. Stabler was selected foreman and proceeded to business at once As business comes before pleasure, it was necessary to hurry up the Club this time, so as to allow us the pleasure of congragulating one of our only two remaining bachelor members, upon at last having left that half complete state of existence, to enter upon, such a life, as only the companion ship of a good wife can make.__ After reading minutes of last meeting here, we started for a short walk The lone will was looked at with longing eyes, by our foreman, time being too short to pay our usual visti there, and examing last years contributions to the scrap pile. The flowers and vegetable gardens were in good order. The wheat was looking well. The fields east of the house, which was nearly bare of all kinds of vegetation, was the one that our host had [?] once to, at our last meeting,when it was thought by some, that a succession of crops would put it in a good condition again, provided oats had a chance, to add their fortifying qualities to it. We next examined the water works which were discharging a stream of pure spring water as the stable. A new ice pond was seen, also what looked to be a valuable juice from the line mill,