Club Minutes: Enterprise Farmers Club, 1924

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E. C. Thomas asked what a boy of 18 years, should be paid per month, including board, for working on a farm - from $20.00 to $30.00.

Frank Wilson asked what to plant for a cover crop after corn and potatoes. Rye was considered the best.

The meeting adjourned to meet with T. Lamar Jackson in August.

EC Thomas

.....................................

Secretary.

August 9th, I924.

T. Lamar Jackson entertained the 708th meeting of the Enterprise Club on Saturday, August 9 I924.

C. L. Gilpin, T. B. Stabler and Dr. Christie were absent. The guests included Mr. Jackson, Mr. Blanford, L. M. Stabler, Col. Conley, Dr. Brown, Albert Reese and Albert Stabler Jr.

Our Chairman being among those absent, William Moore was asked to act for him, he called the meeting to order and asked Samuel Thomas to act as foreman for the usual walk. At Lamar's request we were taken to the orchard where we were shown the plot of which he told us at the last meeting, where he had successfully killed the garlick [sic] by mowing it off. The sod in the orchard as well as the adjoining field was very good. A look at his dairy herd and some more good grass completed a very interesting walk.

After a delicious roast beef dinner with a dessert of unusually good watermelon, business was resumed.

The minutes of the meeting held with Lamar last year were read "for information", also the minutes of the July meeting, the latter approved as read.

Crop Prices:

Wheat $I.30 bu. Apples $I.50-$2.00 bu.

Corn $6.00 bbl. Potatoes $3.50 bbl.

Hay $24.00 T. (old). Hogs $0.II lb.

" $I8.00 " (new). Beef Cattle $0.09 lb.

Our Chairman told us of a car load of cracked corn having been delivered to a local mill, which was the first time a car load of corn had ever been shipped to the Sandy Spring neighborhood.

Questions:

Our host had no question but told us that his experience showed that it had paid him better to sell his wheat direct from the thrasher.

Maurice Stabler asked what to plant as a cover crop in turnips, most everyone suggested crimson clover and would use 20 pounds per acre.

He was told that the prospects for a hay crop next year, on this year's sod was very poor. Some suggested shifting his corn to a one year sod field.

He also asked the Club's opinion as to a corn crop for this year, a large majority thought it would not be more than 50% of our usual yield. He was advised to hold his corn for a higher market.

Milton Bancroft asked what to plant in a garden for a cover crop and was advised to use crimsom clover, unless it would be late, in which case alsike was recommended.

Albert Stabler was advised to continue spraying his orchard.

George A. Wilson was reffered [sic] to Mr. Steward, Secretary of State Farm Bureau for information as to rates etc. of the Co-operative Farm News paper.

B. H. Miller was told that it was practically impossible to get a farm tennant [sic] to take care of the land lord's garden and cows. He was advised to hire a man for the purpose. Many thought he could save money by postponing the building of a new barn until fall, as there was a prospect of cheaper labor by that time.

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Frank Wilson was advised to sell his early potatoes now.

S. P. Thomas wants a fresh cow, George Wilson has one, no others known of.

Rust Canby is plan[n]ing to put a new tin roof on a house and asked if he should put it right over the old shingle roof. Yes, if roof is in fair condition; tin should be painted on under side also if shingles were damp.

He asked what kind and size beef cattle to buy for winter feeding. Any good variety weighing from 800 to I000 pounds, but be sure they are the best quality stock cattle, as it did not pay to start with poor stock.

He asked what to do with several bushells of [sic] of soy beans. A few would sow even though it is late, others would grind for feed.

Charles Bond was advised to use "Blatchards Calf Feed" for a calf just weened.

The meeting then adjourned to meet with Dr. Christie, September 6th, next.

E C Thomas Secretary.

Friday, September I2th, I924.

William W. Moore entertaining the 709th meeting of the Enterprise Club at Plainfield on Friday September I2th, I924. The time of meeting and place having been changed by request.

C. L. Gilpin and Maurice Stabler were the only active members absent.

The following guests were present, R. R. Moore, S. B. Weatherald, DR. Adams, J. W. Jones, William Thomas, Douglas Farquhar, Earl Carroll and Mr. Bishop.

Our chairman being absent, Rust Canby was asked to fill the vacancy; he called the meeting to order and asked Albert Stabler to act as foreman for the walk, which was confined to the old and young orchards; the trees in the old orchard were well filled with fruit considering the season.

A wonderful farm picture was shown when two of William's prize boys on their prize ponies, were sent to bring in the sheep from a distant field - it was truly a picture "worth the price".

Shortly after returning to the house we were asked in to dinner.

Our host and hostess showed us what could be accomplished on a farm in the way of food; for [we] were told that everything from lamb, ham and a variety of vegetables and fruits were all home grown, and with Sandy Spring cooks and service, made it a wonderful meal.

On resuming business the "old" and last minutes were read, the latter approved as read.

The road committee told us we could expect a mile more cement road from Colesville north, but that there was no chance of any improvement on the upper end of the road.

Crop Prices: Wheat $I.30 bu. Apples $I.00-$I.50 bu. Corn $7.25 bbl. Potatoes $3.25 bbl. Hay $I6.00-$20.00 T. Hogs $0.10 1/2 lb. Beef Cattle $0.08 1/4-$0.09 lb.

Questions:

William Moore told us of a contemplated plan to partition off his old ice house so as to use part for a storage and packing house for apples and the rest for ice. Most everthing thought it would be much better to build another ice house and convert the old one for apples.

He was advised to hold his hay for a better price than $I6.00 per ton on the farm, which he was offered.

Many thought it would pay him better to cut and cure his soy beans for hay than to save for seed. Some would make hay of half and save balance for seed.

He asked what proportion of a 20 acre corn crop, which would yield about I50 barrels should he give for harvesting the crop. He was advised to hire extra help and harvest the crop himself as it would be very different to come to a fair bargain.

He was told that grass hoppers could be killed by a poisin [sic] - see Agriculture Department for formula; and to keep both of his rams.

R. R. Moore asked what the new marks across the highways meant. As no one was able to inform him, the Secretary was asked to find out and advise him.

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Dr. Adams asked when to cut soy beans. When lower leaves begin to turn yellow or about II0 days after planting.

B. H. Miller was advised to re-new water pipes which were filled with rust, as no satisfactory way was known to clean them.

Albert Stabler asked what he should get per bushell [sic] for his entire apple crop. 40 to 45 cents.

He asked who had a young calf for sale. Frank Wilson has one @ $6.00.

He was told that it was unnecessary to feed cows grain if the pasture was good.

Dr. Christie asked the dimensions for a new garage to hold 4 cars, 20 by 35.

He has a horse and cow for sale.

Frank Wilson asked if the percentage of butter fat could be increased by feeding a cow. The answers differed so much we had to refer to a book on the subject, which told us it could not.

George Wilson was advised to sell his steers.

Newton Stabler told us of a pure bred Durock [sic] boar for sale.

J. W. Jones told us that corn was scarce at his farm and asked what to do with his steers. Sell the Hertfords [sic] in September and feed the Black ones.

Rust Canby asked what to do with a twelve acre field that had had rye in it.

He was advised to sow barly and get it in as early as possible.

The meeting adjourned to meet with Dr. Christie October IIth.

E C Thomas Secretary.