Club Minutes: Horticultural Society, 1948

ReadAboutContentsHelp

Pages

Page 1
Page Status Indexed

Page 1

H/5/1948-1-

The Highlands May 1948

There is always a distinctive quality belonging to each meeting of the Horticultural Society. Common to all of them, however, is the good fellowship of the members and friends gathered together. This May meeting partook freely of the spirit of warm hospitality always pervading The Highlands, After the reading of the minutes, Jessie McReynolds read an article which clinched in the mind of even the last doubting Thomas the relationship between eroded topsoil and, say, cavities in teeth. Teeth are made up of mineral salts obtained from foods; and if those salts are not present in soil then foods are deficient in nourishment. There are various delicate balances ln nature between vitamins, such as D, and particular minerals such as calcium and phosphorus.

In Ted's absence, Martha read his exceedingly interesting chronicle of their garden experiences in California. The Nesbitts bought no fruits nor vegetables in four years. They didn't plow nor spade, nor hoe. They watered with wand or canvas tube during the dry season from May 1st to the last of October. What they did most particularly was to feed the ground heavily with good manure 4-6" deep, and to part that with trowels and scratch rows with their fingers for the seeds which were covered with burlap. P.S. There were no weeds and few pests. "Do we garden scientifically or by weight of tradition", is their pertinent question.

Rebecca Small read about the biological control of pests by parasitical pests.

The following items are from Elsa Thomas's Forethought Notes, every word of which we enjoy: Cut old canes from the center of shrubs after blooming. Stake tomatoes now so the roots are not injured by later staking. Try the 1946 All American Peace Rose, large and glowing on hardy plants. There is a yellow trumpet vine. Twistem wires are most helpful.

"So is a heavy wire," said Edward Iddings, which has a twist at the top." He reminded us April was cooler than normal, the average temperature being 50 1/2°.

Mr. Hurrey's memorial to Mary Hutton was a perfect expression of her sparkling uniqueness and our love for her. The memorial is included in the minutes, and a copy given to the family.

Last edit 12 days ago by mbrockway
Page 2
Page Status Indexed

Page 2

H/5/1948-2-

A rare Pogonia Verticillata, a member of the orchid family, was exhibited by Mr. Hurrey who had found it in his lovely Glen. He was urged by all to replant it. His sample of the "edible" morel (see the Thomases) was a curiosity more resembling a snake's head than a mushroom. Our diet might also, he added, include fried fiddleheads - alias baby cinnamon fern fronds.

Specimen flowers were brought from Clermont, Concord, The Little House, Millwood and Alloway, and The Cedars. Believe it or not, The Cedars displayed 1947 and 1948 lettuce.

The dues collected brought our balance in the treasury up to $11.

Mary Reading Miller reported that there is to be formed an association to provide for a public library in connection with the Sherwood School library. It is hoped every one will give at least a dollar and so become a member of the association.

We are very sorry, indeed, that the Stantons are moving out of the neighborhood, and that we must, therefore, accept their resignation. A membership committee consisting of Robert Miller, Helen Farquhar and Elizabeth Ligon was asked to become active.

After the queries we went out to see the Highlands ' garden. Whether it is that Robert Miller cooperates with nature, or nature cooperates with Robert Miller, - anyway, his peas planted the 14th of March bloomed today in honor of the Horticultural.

ISW sec

Last edit 25 days ago by mbrockway
Page 3
Page Status Indexed

Page 3

H/5/1948-3-

A Memorial in Honour of Mary Hutton, Long a Member of the Horticultural Society

by Clarence B. Hurrey

If Mary Hutton could speak to us now, I can fancy her saying with Lord Tennyson

"Come not when I am dead, "To drop thy foolish tears upon my grave."

She would say it with that winsome, quizzical smile that we all knew and loved.

Her sunny countenance, her sparkling eyes reflected the perennial youthfulness of her spirit. She never grew old - except in years.

Mary Hutton was inherently good natured , good-humored, good-hearted. She was a good wife, a good friend. Truly - she was a good woman.

A third-generation member of the Horticultural Society, she seldom missed a meeting and never failed to contribute to the atmosphere of good fellowship some merry jest or some unique expression.

We all loved her, - we all miss her. But let us not drop foolish tears upon her grave.

Rather let us cherish the legacy she has bequeathed us, a legacy more precious than gold, the priceless legacy of pleasant memories.

Ashton, Maryland May 3, 1948

Last edit 25 days ago by mbrockway
Page 4
Page Status Indexed

Page 4

H/6/1948-1-

Concord

June, 1948

"Concord" expressed peace and the happy achievement of the Woodwards, on the afternoon of our last meeting, in June. After we had admired the pretty Concord corners, President Frederick McReynolds called this meeting to order, and the minutes were read and corrected.

Emeline Hill then read to us facts about the vanishing bee, the most important insect in the world today. Did you know that bees were first brought to this country from Europe, around 1800? The honey and the bumblebee are the best polonizers. Thousands and thousands more colonies of bees are desired by the Department of Agriculture to provide for the world's requirements of crops. Each acre of alfalfa and clover requires a colony of bees; three colonies per acre result in a bumper crop. Billions of bees are murdered by modern insecticides. There is a bee culture laboratory at Beltsville.

Strong was the boy who endured Mr. Hurrey's grandmother's composition tea. But along with it she instilled a love for herbs and wild flowers and woods' life. By means of his vivid description, Mr. Hurrey took us along his woodland trail at Glen Lauder, where the little brook wanders and tinkles and "friendly ferns" grow under the trees. More than fifty species of ferns may be found there if you have the eyes for seeing their feathery grace. There is nothing to compare with the romance, the beauty of woods in May.

Rebecca Iddings brought us back to this real world by explaining Harold Stabler's effective control of garlic: from the nozzle of an oil can apply one drop of crude carbolic acid to the stem a few inches above the ground.

Lillie Stabler read interesting notes. Use the new fungicides for blackspot in roses. Thin delphinium clumps to 5 stems. Order new varieties of iris. At the White House, Mr. Redmond and his assistants receive from local dealers hundreds of roses, carnations, smilax, etc., for ordinary occasions, and thousands for diplomatic functions.

Besides Mr. Hurrey's exhibit of ferns, Lillie Stabler's unnamed lillies and Dainty Bess rose, and Rebecca Small's lovely spirea called goat'sbeard the Highlands brought a wonderful tray of eight vegetables and strawberries.

A community public library association will

Last edit 25 days ago by mbrockway
Page 5
Page Status Indexed

Page 5

H/6/1948-2.

soon be formed. Any books are acceptable.

Last May it was 63° cool, on the average. Will Edward Iddings, by the way, please look again in The Flower Grower for that sure-fire remedy for decreasing the mice and mole population?

For protection from mosquitoes pour a little kerosene on a puddle, large or small.

Transplant boxwood in the Fall, and mulch it. It likes partial shade.

We were adjourned, to meet at Ercildoun in July.

ISW, Sec

Last edit 25 days ago by mbrockway
Displaying pages 1 - 5 of 13 in total