Club Minutes: Enterprise Farmers Club, 1948

January 10, 1948 - 977th Meeting THE ENTERPRISE CLUB

The Club met with P. G. Ligon on a cold January afternoon. In spite of the weather several members and guests met at Mr. Ligon's "Quarry Farm" for a tour of inspection. We found the good herd of Angus cattle comfortably housed in the large barn and adjoining shed. This farm is completely mechanized and the former hose stalls were bein used for a young bull and some heifers which wre being fitted for a Spring breeder's sale. They showed the results of good breeding and good care. The cows and heifers in the main herd were in good thrifty condition and were enjoying good quality hay. The corn crop in the corn house was of very poor quality; there being some beetle damage, but most of the damage apparently coming from a nutritional disturbance to the growing plant which was probably caused by drought, blight or borer damage.

We next visited the "Porter Farm" which is also owned by Mr. Ligon and saw some more Angus cows and heifers. We then repaired to Mr. Ligon's home where we were joined by some of the less hardy members and guests for dinner and the meeting.

After dinner the meeting was called to order by President, W. W. Moore. Guests included: Mr. Bean, R. H. Lansdale, Ulric Hutton, Mr. Selby, Malcolm White, Mr. Nicholson, A. D. Farquhar, W. J. Hines, W. J. Thomas, T. Hyde, O. W. Anderson, Mr. Small and Mr. Kirk. Hurrey, McReynolds, Albert Stabler and Frank Willson were absent.

The minutes of the last meeting with Mr. Ligon were read and those of the December meeting read and approved.

The Committee to study distribution of road tax funds reported on a meeting held at Olney Inn with representatives from the other Clubs, a delegation from the State Roads Commission and the Montgomery County Commissioners.

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The committee from our Club reported that it felt that the matter of distribution of funds had been clarified and that the distribution was now being made on a more equitable basis. A big order of road construction lies ahead. The Roads Commission seems to be well aware of the needs and obligations. A Federal grant will be made for roads near Washington. This must be matched by State funds. Our committee was discharged with thanks.

The Membership Committee reported that Francis A. Thomas who was a former member of thisClub would like to resume active membership. It was moved and unanimously passed that Francis Thomas be reinstated as an active member.

A Farmer's Convention Committee of O.N. Stabler, G.R. Canby, and F.S. Gilpin was appointed.

Crop prices were quoted as follows:

Wheat $3.08 Lambs $25.00

Corn 11.00 Potatoes 2.00 bu.

Hay 25.00-30.00 Apples 2.00-3.75

Cattle 26.00-30.30 Eggs .60-.65

(Malcolm sold cattle this week for $29.75)

(Good stockers are costing $27.00)

Hogs 29.00

Calves 31.00

Questions -

P.G. Ligon - Corn crop was a failure. Is there a time to plant corn to be safe from beetles? This question evoked lengthy discussion of beetle control methods. Mr. Anderson said that with proper methods, beetles can be controlled. Some felt that the main damage to Mr. Ligon's crop was not from beetle, but from borer, blight, or drought. It is not advisable to vary the planting date too much, because of loss in yield from too late or too early planting.

T. Hyde - Would you feed corn to hogs this year or sell corn? Feed if he can get good pigs.

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G. A. Willson - Would you pay $5.00 cwt. for mill feed for hogs or feed only corn and meat scrap? Feed corn and meat scrap.

M. Kirk asked Mr. Anderson wheter they still recommend bordering corn with beans for beetle control. Yes.

Ulric Hutton asked wheter is was possible to control borer as well as beetle in corn? It is thought necessary to spray two of three times to control borer, and it is necessary to spray the entire field. The Montgomery County beetle program entails spraying only the edges.

S. P. Stabler - Is it necessary to pump out a septic tank as a precautionary measure? Difference of opinion.

Albert Stabler, Jr. - Asked for a friend whether it would be profitable to go into the business of making screen windows and doors. Yes, if the service would include putting up and taking down screens and storm windows.

L. S. Wesley - Assked how to get rid of large numbers of sparrows and starlings. Shoot.

F. L. Thomas inquired for a dairy farm for sale in the neighborhood. Beall at Derwood and Rock Spring Farm were mentioned.

Walter Wilson announced that Miller Leishear has a fresh cow for sale.

Senator Davis suggested congratulations to Lacy Shaw on his prospective marriage.

Adjourned to meet with Lacy Shaw in February.

Stanley P. Stabler,

Secretary.

Febuary 14, 1948 - 978th Meeting THE ENTERPRISE CLUB

The 978th meeting of the Club was most pleasantly entertained by Lacy Shaw at Belmont. This location offered no opportunity for a walk, but the good food and the chance to visit with out neighbors made for a most enjoyable evening. Guests for the evening included S. P. Thomas, W. J. Thomas, T. Y. Canby, W. J. Hines, Wm. Marlow and Messrs. Shaw, Shaw, Bean and Palmer.

Absent were: Davis, Hurrey, Ligon, McReynolds, Albert Stabler, Staunton and F. L. Thomas.

After dinner the meeting was called to order by the President, W. W. Moore. Minutes of the last meeting with Mr. Shaw were read and those of the January meeting were read and approved.

The Farmers Convention Committee reported that the program for the Convention had been arranged. Each Club member is assessed 50 cents and asked to bring a basket. $3.00 may be substituted for the basket but the basket is preferred.

Wm. W. Moore reported that Francis Thomas had asked him to express to the Club his appreciation at being reinstated as a member. Francis was with us for dinner for his first meeting as a new member, but left before the meeting for a more pressing engagement. a

Our former member, Samuel Thomas, expressed pleasure at being with us for the evening and recalled that the Club had been entertained at Belmont many times by his father who was one of our Charter members.

M. J. Stabler commented upon the severe winter weather. Yesterday (Febuary 13) the thermometer reached 42° for the first time in 50 days.

F. S. Gilpin said that the ice on Brighton Reservoir measured 13^m.

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Crop prices reported were:

Wheat $2.47 Calves $30.00-32.00

Corn 9.50 Lambs 26.00

Hay 28.00-32.00 Potatoes 3.50cwt.

Cattle 28.00 (top* Apples 2.00-3.75

Hogs 24.50 Eggs .55-.60

Questions:

LACY SHAW has smoked his meat two days. Is that enough? No, by most. R.H. Lansdale and some others say that you cannot tell the difference if it is not smoked at all.

S.P. Thomas has noticed that many farmers in the upper end of the County picked their corn and as a result did not get wheat seeded until late, some November 15. Will this late wheat make a crop? The winter has been favorable so far. It has a fair chance.

M.J. Stabler reported receiving a very interesting letter from Eric Englund telling of conditions in Finland.

M.J. Stabler has a sow that was brought to his place to be bred and owner will not come to get it. What should he charge for board? 50 cents per day.

Frank Willson has nolls that were in hay and he wishes to keep in hay but sod is getting thin. What should he do? Disc lightly, lime, fertilize and add some seed.

Wm. H. Gilpin seeded lespedeza and orchard grass with barley last year. He got lespedeza but no orchard grass. Should he sow more grass this Spring? It will not pay unless he discs or uses some other method of preparing a seed bed.

S.P. Stabler announced the Chest X-Ray to be held at Sherwood on March 9th.