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Gracelyn

June 1, 1954

It was Gracelyn's first time to be host to the
Horticultural Sciety and Grace and Francis Thomas gave us
a warm welcome and their delightfully cool porch on which
to hold the meeting after supper.

The president called the meeting to order and the
secretary read the minutes of the May meeting which were
read and approved.

Raymond Havens was the capable reader that Lillie
Stabler had asked to take her assignment. The subject
was one of intense interest to all of us as it was on
"Cut Flower Insurance" by Kathrine Cutler. To keep arrangements
from being limp and wilted, she said, cut flowers
early in the morning and harden by putting in water for
several hours. Keep flowers away from gas fumes and heat.
Pound the ends of woody branches so that they will absorb
more water. After cutting tulips wrap tightly in news
paper and put in water; cut roses on a slant. All flowers
that have a mildy substance from the stems, such as dahlias,
stock and poppies should be seared. For roses that have
gone limp you may try the shock treatment - i.e. immerse
in boiling water until cool, then plunge in cold water.
Immerse new tender spring leaves in water. We all felt we
profited from this article .... if we would remember to do
all that was suggested.

Elza Thomas read for Fred Thomas who was unable to be
present, on the "Value of Birds to the Crops." An article
explaining that most birds do more good than harm and told
of the innumerable variety and amount of harmful insects
in birds stomachs. They are a national check on insects
and "without birds no people could live upon the earth".

Rebecca Small gave the following Forethought report
- cultivate rose beds once a week, spray with Black Leaf
Forty and cut roses in the morning. Start biennials and
perrenials now. Stake delphinium and prune spring flowering
shrubs. Dig iris and reset. She closed with the appropriate
selections from [?] by Lowell.

The exhibits were varied and interesting from the 3
foot stalks of delphinium of Ulric utton to the bouquet of
flowers brought by Rebecca Iddings containing flowers
planted by her grandmother who was secretary of the Horticultural
Society for years. 1870 - 1912 Elizabeth Stabler Iddings 42 years

The meteorologist report for May was 1/4 inches of rain
and a temperature of 64.