Club Minutes: Enterprise Farmers Club, 1873-1878

127 going down the branch, which ought to be utilized in some way. We returned to the house and discussed the following questions 1^st What is the cause of so much withered corn ? could not be accounted for. 2^nd What do you know about German Millet ? Only two persons here are aquainted with it. they speak favorably of it as a soiling grass. 3^rd Is it worth while to cut rye out of wheat ? Cut enough for seed. 4^th Will you sow Fultz wheat ? Nearly all present will. 5^th Would you roll corn planted six days ago? Decidedly opposed to it. 6^th What can be done with garlic ? Pasture it [hand?] with sheep. 7^th Would you sell corn at $3.75per barrel ? Unanimously - yes. 8^th When should Rye be [cut?] for tying fodder ? While in bloom. Adjourned to C H. Brooke's 6_th mo. 23^rd 1877

128 6^thmo. 23^rd 1877 The Club met at Chas. H Brookes, Eleven members were present. Capt Strain, James Stabler & Dr W_m E Magruder were present. Edwd P Thomas was appointed foreman, at 20 minutes past 5o'c After the minutes were read we directed our step to the garden, which was looking remarkably well, as is always the case here I believe. Whether or not our host deserves all the credit, is a matter for investigation. We passed thro a thrifty young peach orchard, on our way to the dairy which is situated in a beutiful circle of trees, and certainly has but one objectionable feature , the distance from the house. We next visited the wheat field which was "ripe unto harvest," and was generously estimated, from 20 to 26 1/2 bushel per acre. Here we found a new Champion machine, with dropper attachment which afforded our Club with more amusement, in trying to make it work, than anything, we had seen for a long time. A portion of this field had been limed 18 months previous, and with a little stretch of the imagination, we could see a benefit from it. We will no doubt visit this spot, at our next meeting here, tosee if the grass is as good as in the adjoining land. On returning tohouse, the stock committee was called on, but had nothing to report. Question 1^st Shall I put up plank in post & rail fence material of each costing the same ? 10 cents for building plank- 30 for post and rail- Ans. 4 in favor of plank-10 post and rail. 2^nd What is the right time tosow rye for Fall pasture ? From 20^th of August to 1^st of September.

129 3^rd

130 The Enterprise Club met at the House of [?] Brooke 1stMo 21st1877 With eight Members present. After waiting longer than usual for the absent, the Minutes of last meeting here were called for, after which we took our usual walk, of inspection, which was short only taking us to the Stable, returning by the spring house, and through the garden. This we found to be unusualy good for so new a location.

Wheat can you pay for Stock wether's to be put off by first Month ? $2.50 to 3.25 Av $2.87

How to snake water trough for Horses ? Use 2 inch white pine

What should I do with [Manure?] ? Put on wheat ground after flowering

What should I do with new Potatoes ? Not dig yet

Several other questions were answered but not recorded William [S?] Bond sec for the day

131 8thMo 18 1877 The Enterprize Club met at Olney. At a late hour. 12 members put in an appearance, [Chas?] [Farguhar?], [Dr?] Magruder &[Chas?] [L?] [Risk?] were our guests, the Secys book not being on hand we had no minutes of either the meeting at this House last year, or of the meeting a month ago. A communication was read from [Chas?] [tt?] Brooke he being at this time on a visit to Ohio in which he stated that he had dug 162 bushels potatoes from 3/4 of an acre of ground, a sample of the same was exhibited. We hope to hear from our wondering [Bro?] in [Jerson?] at our next meeting. Frederick Stabler was selected foreman and Disected our steps to the large and commodious dwelling which our Host is now building, this of course being the property of a member of the club was subject to the usual amount of criticism, it was said by some to be too long, too short, too high, too low, too large, or too small, but at the same time we left it optional with him as to whether he would finish it on his original plans, or adopt our suggestions. The apple orchard like all others in these parts this year was barren of fruit. Some fine [Porkers?], and Shoats in orchard, and unusually fine ones in June, but were greatly in want of straw.

On returning to the house the following questions were discissed Would you sow wheat in young peach orchard, leaving 3 ft on each side of trees ?