Club Minutes: Enterprise Farmers Club, 1924

October IIth, I924.

Dr. M. H. Christie was host to the 7I0th meeting of the Enterprise Club which he entertained at the home of his son, Dr. Arthur Christie, at Silver Spring, Maryland.

The absent members were M.J. Stabler, S. P. Thomas, Milton Bancroft and Harwood Owings.

The guests were Mr. A. S. M. Hopkins of Erie, Pa., J. W. Jones, William Thomas, Frank Hewitt, Roger Farquhar, Samuel Weatherald, R. B. Thomas and Earl Carroll.

Having no farm to inspect, our host took us to visit the new home of his son Dr. Merle Christie at Woodside, Md. We found a very beautiful home, which is situated among an unusually fine lot of trees and shrubery.

I am sure that all Sandy Spring is sorry to loose the Christies, but we who live in this vicinity are glad to welcome them to our midst.

After a wonderful supper the meeting was called to order by C. L. Gilpin.

The minutes of the last meeting held with Dr. Christie, a year ago, and the minutes of the September meeting were read, the latter being approved.

The Secretary also read a letter from T. J. Lea, in which he expressed deep regret in being unable to attend our meetings, and asked to have his name dropped from our membership.

The Club unaniously [sic] requested that his name be retained on our list as an honorary member. The Secretary was asked to reply to his letter telling of the Club's action.

The road Committee's report was rather discouraging as it told us that I mile south of Ednor was to be repaired, which was all we could expect this year.

Crop Prices:

Wheat $I.50 bu. Apples $0.50-$2.00 bu. Corn $7.00 bbl. Potatoes $I.25 bu. Hay $20.00 T. Hogs $0.11 1/5 lb. Beef Cattle $0.07-$0.08 1/2 lb.

Questions:

Harry Stabler asked if it was advisable to mow one's lawn this late in the year. Yes.

He also asked the reason for such a poor crop of lima beans this year. Many thought the unusual season caused the shortage.

Albert Stabler asked if he should sell his cattle or feed them; he was advised to fatten them and then sell. He wants a calf and some barred rock pullets.

Mr. Hopkins asked if the farmer could compete with the manufacturer on his basis of pay and time for labor. This brought out considerable discussion, but after all, we did not reach any real conclusion.

The farm labor situation is, indeed, in a condition which needs a vast improvement if the farmer is to continue in business.

B. H. Miller told us that he had bought some muriatic acid to clean the rust out of his water pipes, and would report results.

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He read an article telling of a wonderful yield of wheat which was grown in the West from seed which came from Africa. He said, he was trying to get some of the seed to give it a trial at Mount Airy.

No one could tell Samuel Weatherald why his turnip crop had been a failure this year.

Roger Farquhar asked what size farm a man should have for 25 dairy cows; the answers were from 35 to 200 acres depending considerably on the man, and whether or not he intended to raise every thing for the cows.

He was told that money could be made on sheep, but it was most important to have good stock.

William Moore has a flock of sheep for sale.

The meeting adjourned to meet with Harwood Owings November 8th, I924.

E C Thomas Secretary.

November 8th, I924.

The 7IIth meeting of the Enterprise Club was held at the home of Harwood Owings Saturday November 8th, I924.

The active members absent were Charles Bond and Samuel Thomas.

The guests were Dr. and Claude Cissel, Tom. Moore, J. W. Jones, Douglas Farquhar, Francis Miller, Richard Lansdale, Tom Hyde, Dorsey Downey, and Tarlton Brooke.

C. L. Gilpin called the meeting to order and requested our taking a walk over the farm before dark. Albert Stabler was selected as for[e]man.

This being our first meeting with Harwood Owings, the place was new to many of us. We saw a nice lot of sheep, some fat hogs which were for home use, some shoats and cows, all in good condition.

Harwood told us that he had put in 70 acres of wheat.

On reassembling at the house the minutes of our last meeting were read and approved.

No reports from committees.

Crop Prices:

Wheat $I.58 bu. Apples $0.50-$2.00 bu. Corn (n) $6.00 bbl. Potatoes $0.90 bu. Hay $2I.00-$22.00 T. Hogs $0.10 1/2 lb. Beef Cattle $0.07-R0.08 1/2 lb.

At this point we were invited out to supper, which every one seemed to enjoy immensely, roast lamb always has made a hit with the club.

On resuming business the Questions were in order.

Harwood Owings has a clover field which was not cut for hay, and asked if the dead clover would interfere with next year's timothy crop. Some members thought not, others would plow the field for corn. He also asked how much per month to charge for feeding Steers, the steers to get all the hay, soy beans and fodder they would eat. The price ranged from $4.50 to $6.00. He was told to sow I bushel of blue grass to the acre.

Albert Stabler distributed some Agricultural Department information on Garlick. He asked the price of pigs - $2.50 each. He wants a Berkshire boar. Tom Hyde has one.

Milton Bancroft asked what to do with a field where the sweet clover had failed to come up. Sow oats for hay or soy beans and then grass.

Richard Lansdale asked what it was worth to pasture sheep, from I 1/2 cents to 2 cents per day.

J. W. Jones asked if you could set alsike or red clover, alone, in August. No one had tried it.

William Moore asked if it were safe to pasture sheep in an orchard. Yes.

E. C. Thomas was told that from $4.00 to $5.00 per month was the price for board of a horse, which was to be fed grain once per day.

Tom Hyde asked if there was any market for loose hay. No. It must baled for our markets.

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Tom Moore asked how many present were in the dairy business, only three responded.

This meeting was far more interesting than this poor attempt at minutes would indicate.

We adjourned to meet with Albert Stabler, December 6th, I924.

E C Thomas Secretary.

December 6th, I924.

Albert Stabler entertained the 7I2th meeting of the Enterprise Club at Edgwood, Saturday December 6th, I924; the absent members were George Wilson, Rust Canby and Samuel Thomas.

The guests included Lawrence Stabler, M. O. Stabler, Samuel Bond, Osborne Stabler and Robert Miller.

The meeting was called to order by C. L. Gilpin. William Moore was asked to act as foreman for the walk.

On account of the season our walk only took us to the near by spots; we were shown 20 very fine black beef cattle in splendid condition, but on account of the very low price of beef, were being kept with hopes of a better market.

We were also shown some wonderful corn, especially for this year, it having been one of the worst we have ever had for corn. I am sure the members of our Club would do well to take the same care, as does Albert, in selecting their seed corn. He has shown conclusively that the selection of seed is one of the greatest factors in producing a corn crop.

On re-assembling at the house the old and last minutes were read, the latter approved.

Two very nice letters from "cousin" Tom Lea were read, which showed the keen interest he has, and has always had in our club. It is with regret to us that he is too far away to attend our meetings.

As usual at the December meeting, a committee was appointed to arrange the annual meeting of the Farmers Convention.

The Chairman appointed William Moore, Milton Bancroft and Harry Stabler to act in our behalf.

Crop Prices:

Wheat $I.64 bu. Apples $I.00-$2.00 bu. Corn $5.00-$6.00 bb. Potatoes $I.00 bu. Hay $21.00-$22.00 T. Hogs $0.10 lb. Beef Cattle $0.08 1/4 lb.

A call from the dinning [sic] rooms was quickly responded to, and we were very soon convinced that the price of beef cattle played no part in providing a bountiful and delicious turkey dinner. There was no evidence of Albert's inability to feed both beef cattle and the Club.

On resuming business, B. H. Miller told us how he had, very successfully, cleared the rust from the water pipes on his farm, which had been in use about 40 years, by the use of MUR acid, using a solution of one part acid to seven of water. mur[iate]

Questions:

Albert Stabler, after explaining his method of feeding his steers, asked if he should continue as heretofore; he was advised to reduce the amount of corn meal and increase the amount of corn.

Samuel Bond got little encouragement towards improving the condition of his walnut trees; which were drop[p]ing leaves too early and not producing a full crop of nuts.

Lamar Jackson wants to buy 4 dressed hogs - none for sale.