Enterprise Farmers' Club Minutes

186 a horse stable ? Ans -- Locust . Question -4^th What is the most satisfactory floor for horse stable ? Ans -- About equally divided between board and clay ; board being considered best for horses that dig a paw. --- Ques . 5^th What rotation of crops is best for filthy land ? Ans--- Corn --- wheat --- Clover and pasture, followed by wheat. A strong sentiment against spreading straw in next years corn field, also against cutting 2 ^nd crop of clover for hay . Ques 6^th What can you pay for cattle at this season of the year to fatten.- ans . 4 to 4¹/2^c pr[lb?] Adjourned to meet at W. W. Morres 8mo30^th/84 Asa M Stabler Sec'y. -----

Plainfield. 8^th mo. 30 ^th 1884 The Enterprise Club met at the new residence of W W Morre , and was called to order at 5 P .M. by P.T. Stabler foreman . A fine shower of rain increased the speed of [?] some , but retarded the arrival of others, beside making the ground and grass to wet , for an extended walk over the farm. The dwelling built upon the side of the one destroyed by fire last Winter , was much admired by all --- particularly the open and

187 sociable rooms and hall connected by folding doors . Our host and family having realized the discomforts and loss , attending to destruction of a house by fire may well enjoy the comforts of their new home. --- The barn was well filled with wheat and hay but the corn [house?] had plenty of room [?] it to spare. The large herd of dairy cows were looking well, and our host said the supply of milk and cream had nearly kept up to its usual flow, notwithstanding the dry weather. The followin g questions were asked ---- Question 1^st Shall I put lightning rods on this By the host. house, there being no tall trees near it? Ans --- There was much said against the erection of rods until our host gave notice as to the Kind he would use. When known that a 1 inch galvanized pipe would be used, nine voted in favor of , and five against rods. Ques 2 ^nd What proportion of blades do you get from corn below the ear? Ans Most of those who answered thought about one half . Ques 3^rd What wheat Drill would you buy ? Ans --- 4 prefer the Hoosier --- 3 Pennsylvania 3 Bickford & Hoffman and 5 undecided Ques . 4^th What do you think of the cantalope tree to be planted for posts ? Ans ---- Several thought well of it. Its rapid grothwth , and lasting qualities are greatly

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in its favor. Sam ^l Hopkins thinks the hybrid the best to plant. Ques 5^th What do you dock your hands for lost_time? Ans -- 50 to 75^c a day , unless lose but little time ; then nothing . Ques 6^th How many members still use South Carolina - [Bone?] ( dissolved) on wheat ? Ans --- Thirteen. All present would [?] bone-dust; after shovelling wheat ground if they had the dust. Ques 7^th What is the best material to cover potato cellar with ? Ans -- 3 say pine boards --- 6 shingles and 6 rye straw. Ques 8^th Shall I cut my sawed corn for Ensilage or cure for fodder ? Ans 11 for Ensilage --- 2 for fodder. Ques 9^th Shall I leave off Timothy so as to increase the yield of wheat ? Ans -- No ---- [?] one bushel to 8 or 9 acres . $ 1.00 pr acre is the price for cutting corn. Some give the men their dinner in addition 4P.M. is the hour for meeting for the next 6months and all are respectfully requested to be punctual, as the fireman is expected to call to order as soon as a quorum is present. Adjourned to meet at Harewood Oct.4^th 1884. Asa M. Stabler Sec'y -----

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Harewood. 10 ^thmo. 4^th 1884 The Enterprise Club met at Arthur Stablers on this date ; all members except W^m S Brooke, present, tho' three were tootoo late [Is?] hear,the minutes read. Edw ^d [C?]. Gilpin and W M. Stabler were present as guests __ . It is five weeks to-day since we had rain , and only a slight shower then __ consequently we are now suffering from the most protracted drought we have known for years. The pastures are dried up ; the wheat cannot sprout for want of moisture, and the prospect for dry weather continues good. After a pleasant chat on the porch, we started to inspect the farm , buildings [&e?] ___ halting to examine a wagon, tool and lime house combined , which has been erected since our last visit, and will no doubt add much to the convenience of conducting the operations of this farm. We also inspected a new "henny" and y ard, built in the improved plan, with [?] resting on posts which do not come in contact with the house at any point. Our host informed us that it was a success , and can be kept clean of vermin.. Part of a fallow field we passed did not look as though it could be re duced without rain to soften the clods . The cattle, including some young stock raised on the farm, were looking well., and a flock of sheep [to?] be fattened

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were much admired. One green field in the distance could be seen. In returning to the house we passed a cornfield that has been seeded to wheat and was in beautiful order. Most of the Club thought our host was doing unnecessary work in rolling it. Back on the porch again the usual questions were asked and answered. Question 1^st What shall I do with sugar-maple By the host. tree , that has been broken by storm. and has put out too many shoots ? Ans __ About evenly divided between thinning __ and all [?] the tree to thin itself. Ques. 2^nd What will be the price of husking corn ? An Eleven say 20 _c ___ two 25 ^c, and several will pay whatever they can get it done for. Ques 3^rd What shall I do for a horse with poll_evil ? Ans __ First answer __ " Kill him" , but upon reconsideration Sam ^l Hopkins advised the use of blisters to bring the disease to the surface , and then the application of grease. Several cases have been known that were successfully healed in this way. Ques 4^th How do you prepare your potatoe ground for wheat ? Ans _ [Harrin?] down and shovel with single or double shovel . One or two use potatoe shovel . Ques 5^th How late in Fall will it do to put carp in pond ? Ans __ Any time up to Winter. The quality of

191 carp was pronounced fair. Ques 6^th What is the best preparation for new ground to be put in - wheat & grass ? Ans __ Shovel with single shovel plow and harrow in. Ques 7^th Shall I sell timothy hay and buy clover for Sheep ? Ans. Yes ___ Ques 8^th Will it pay to plant Apple orchard expecting to sell fruit at 15 to 20^c per bushel at home ? Ans ___ 8 say yes ___ 2 no ___ Balance in doubt about its paying . Ques 9^th Which are most profitable for Winter feeding , cattle or Sheep ? Ans ___ All agree that Sheep are . Ques 10^th Are potatoes in cellar under dwelling hurtful to health ? Ans ___ 7 Yes ____ 6 no . _____ Then adjouned to meet at Sunnyside Nov 8^th at 4 P. M._ one week after the regular time . because of Yearly Meeting .___ Asa M. Stabler Sec'y ___

194 Oak Hill Nov. 29^th 1884 The Enterprise Club met at Frederick Stabler's . Our accomplished Secretary Asa M. Stabler was by rule foreman of this meeting , which necessitated the appointment of another to act for this evening . This deponent __ not wishing to appear too anxious , demmured a little, accepted and was duly elevated to the [?] of the office. Absent members W^m S. Brooke. W^m [S?] Bond & [C?]has [J?]. Lea. Samuel Brown of [Senxtown?] Co. Virginia , Walter H. Brooke . W. M Stabler, R.H. Miller and Albert Stabler very very acceptably with us as guests. After the minutes were read we examined the premises. The garden was plowed all ready for Spring sinking. The hogs to be slaughtered the coming week , were very fine and were the innocent cause of much immoral betting about weights. The hen house was "elegant indeed"__ a hot house attachment ___ separate dormitory ___ setting some __ felt linings [?][?]. A member suggested that it could rightly be called a hen palace. The cattle in the very comfortable barn yard seemed to be doing very well , as indeed did everything here abouts . This place is rightly held as a model of good arrangement, Ques 1^st What must I do with the corn stalks in a field where the corn was topped ?

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Answer __ Pile and burn . Ques 2^nd Will it pay to feed pigs - buying corn ? Ans __ 9 say yes __ 2 no. W^m Morre was going to try feeding wheat. shelled corn the best feed for calves. Ques 3 ^rd Could a co-operative dairy be made a success in this neighborhood ? Ans _ Majority thought it could . Ques 4^th Will 170 sheep fatten in one pen ? Ans _ Much better to separate them in several [?] Corn stubble intended for oats should be plowed early . Straw is of but little value in corn land unless spread a year before it is plowed under. Adjourned to meet at R. M. Stablers, Dec. 27^th 1884 Granville Farquhar Sec'y Pro_Tem

Edgewood . 12 ^th ,mo. 27 ^th 1884 Our Christmas Club at R. M Stabler's A moderate quantity of snow on the ground and good sleighing [Fridene?] Stabler called the meeting to order a little after the thime fixed for convening , with 12 members present __ 3 more arriving later. leaving but two absent ___ T. [J?] Lea and W^m S. Brooke. W. M Stabler our only guest. The usual minutes were read , and our walk , necessarily

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short , extended only to the barn . Here we found wheat both in bin and mow, which suggested "speculation" on the part of our host. The cattle were up to their eyes in clover hay , and looked very fine. A set of stanchions brought forth some remarks to the effect that our host had changed his views in regard to them. But upon inquire this did not prove to be the case, as "these [here?] only put in to hold the cows steady while being milked , and to educate them up to what they may look out for some years hence. The inferno from the new cam was trickling into the [mugh?], after [harding?] 21⁰⁰ or 22⁰⁰ft under ground. The advantages of this permanent improvement will long be felt , by both man and beast. On our return to the house the minutes of Club held on F. Stablers were read ; also a communication from H. [C?]. Hallowell , asking the appointment of a committee to arrange for Farmers Convention. Question 1^st Could I turn my man out, without giving him 30 days notice ___ Ans __ [Itwas?] thought not. Ques 2 ^nd What is the best Kind of g arden fence? Ans _ Barbed wire was recommended , but this has its objections so near your dwelling. Ques 2 ^nd What is the [custom?] in regard to tenants raisin g poultry ? Ans Let them raise all the chickens they

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wish to , but if turkeys are Kept , they should be required to give the landlord one half the crop. Question4th Can I materially increase my supply of ice , by storing a lot in' rail pen ? Ans __ A majority thought it could be, & a six sided pen was advised. R. B. Farquhars ice - house being in a conspiuous place , he wished to know what kind of a roof to put on it^[e?] All thought rye straw the best for the ice , but a fancy shingle roof would be more in Keeping with the summer [drugs?] ___ 9 prefer straw 5 saw - dust to cover ice with. This being the time to select a Secretary to serve for the year 1885 __ we devoted about on him, to this service. P.T.Stabler was the successful candidate, and was declared elected at a salary of [$?] 15 ___ per yr. At 8.20 adjourned to meet at E.P. Thomas in the usual time next month. Asa M . Stabler Sec'y _____