Club Minutes: Horticultural Society, 1963

BEGINS 100dth year.

Mt. Pleasant April 2. 1963

Horticult re started its 100th year with Flora and Harry Goff entertaining us at Mount Pleasant

The April meeting seems to carry special overtones for all of us. We have not met for months and we feel especially grateful that the time is at last here to renew fellowship with our friends.

The winding and rising approach to Mt. Pleasant the marvellous lawns and broad views from the wise verandah are beyond words. The spacious and gracious house provides equally delightful views from each room. Imagine having a library overlooking an orchard.

After we had enjoyed the delivious food, Robert Miller, our president, called the meeting to order. A few moments of silence followed in memory of our greatly beloved member, Billie Stabler, who had died since our fall meeting. Following this, we recalled her last meeting with us, her contribution to Horticulture, her work for the temperance movement and the esteem and love in which she was held by all people and both races.

It was Lillie Stabler who introduced myme to maryland corn pudding shortly after we moved to Springdale. she came calling and gave me a receipt for it, a thoughtful gracious gesture, which comes back to mind every corn pudding season.

Although The bylaws provide for dues to be payable in May, your officers, got a bit mixed up. doubtless think any that as April not only brings income tax returns but dues are payable should be paid to Horticulture. in the same month. They proceeded to collect them The Secretary submitted her treasurer's report, reporting $26.83 on hand as the meeting opening opened. $7.00 in dues were paid by members present and today we have on hand a total of $33.83. April is also the time for electing officers. The chairman of the nominating committee Helen Farquhar reporteding for the nominating Committee saidthat our present president was not open to persuasion to accept another term. The committee suggested Jack Bentley, our other as president and Fances Thomas as Vice president. standby. They was were unanimously elected. Lucy Manning remains as secretary. Helen Bentley, our reader, shared with us excerpts from a book on growing seeds at Burpees {Omitted because of objection}but admonished us not to buy our seeds there but from Harris. Burpees has some 1800 items of seeds for sale, 519 kinds of bulbs are grown. She presented some staggering statistice of how [e.g. 12000 carnation seeds to 70000 lobelia many seeds it takes to make an ounce. Bees are very important to seed growing; bees are a bit selective and do not like certain flowers. For instance the seed grower must provide more bees among the old zinnia than among more fragrant and delectable flowers. Seeds mu Plants must be separated wheningrowning for seeds by 1/4 ro 1 mile

to prevent cross pollinization. Seeds from salsify are the hardest to collect and Burpees grows these in Mexico so as to get lower labor costs

Our president read the minutes of Horticulture held at Brook Grove, 30 years ago giving us a glimpse of the Society at that time.

Again we were deprived of Sylvia's good forethought, the Woodwards and Isabel being in the middle East.

Douglas gave us a run down on the weather for Jan. Feb. and March. There was a scarcity of rain and an abundance of cold. (Reports are attached)

There were few exhibits, due to the late season. Be Wilson favored us with some who was absent wild flowers, Chichken Kricker sent white [Japonica?] forsythia and a branch of luscious pink magnolia, Rose Hutton had several kinds of flowers and Lucy Manning a few jonquils.

Birds. Liz Canby had seen a yellow [?] flicker. Surely more birds were seen but my notes show only the above.

Questions:

Our first question was from Rust and reflected his recent travels. Why do not magnolias germinate from seeds here as they do in Louisiana. Probably the climate is more suitable in the lower south.

Betty Ligon reported that a racoon was visiting them. Has any one lost one.

Bea Hutton inquired about a lost pie knife. Betty thought is might be reposing at Great Ease.

Other questions related to proper exposure planting for camelias, and peaches, may an avocado be planted or, will figs grow here, where to find a yardman who could do anything, and everything, the virtue and disadvantages of osage oranges as a hedge.

The Centennial Committee was not yet arranged

The Secretary read the list of places of meetings for the year, which she distributed. The next meeting will be at Bien Venue with Great Ease Taking June, Rosyln July August Concord, September Fieldhead and October Highlands. There was some discussion as to whether cards should be sent. It is your secretary's understanding that they were to be and she promptly Forgot to do it, but will next month.

Readers for next month -Bea and Rose Hutton

Meeting adjourned.

A. D. Farquhar

Meteorological Report for HORTICULTURAL

Month of AUGUST 1962 Highest Temp. 94° Aug. 20 Average High 83 1/2°

Lowest Temp. 54° Aug. 12 Average Low 62 1/2°

Mean Temp. 73°

Rainfall .29 of an inch for whole month (.18 on Aug. 17) rain fell on 5 days with "trace" on another 5 days

40 years

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