Club Minutes: Horticultural Society, 1863-1871

Stanmore September 26th, 1863?

Quite a full meeting collected at Stanmore. The first proceeding was the examination of the garden which was found to be in better condition than the previous remarks of its owner had led us to expect. The turnips and cabbage looked well, as did the lima beans. Lettuce and kale for next spring were sown. The parsnips did not look as if they would amount to anything and the tomatoes were not so flourishing as could be desired. There still remained on the vines many grapes and they claimed the cheif part of our time and attention. After partaking of an excellent supper and asking the following questions we adjourned until next Spring.

Q. What causes the failure in lima beans? A. The ground being too heavily manured. Q. Is it now too late to plant onion seed for early spring use? A. June is the best time. Q. Does kale come earlier than cabbage sprouts? A. It does. Q. Is it best to plow a garden in the Fall or in the Spring? A. In the Fall decidedly. Q. Should it be top-dressed or have the manure plowed in? A. Manure should be plowed in, as toppdressing keeps the ground wet. Q. Should strawberry vines be manured and covered? A. They should. Q. When should cabbage be taken up and should it be covered? A. November was thought to be the best month, and covers

did not seem to be necessary. Q. What time should peach seed be planted? A. In the Fall and on the south side of a wall or building. Q. What is the best time to pick Fall apples? A. In September. Q. Should gardening be done at the right time or should it be done when most convenient? A. At the right time, by all means.

Olney (Granvilee Farquhar Sec. 1864) 3rd Mo. 27th, 1864 [March 27th, 1864]

Met at Olney. Not as full an attendance as desireable. Present George Brooke and Eliza Brooke, Ellen Farquhar, Frances Stabler, Margaret H. Brooke, Henry C. Hallowell and Francis Miller.

First visited the yard where we found four kinds of flowers in bloom -- Violet, Crocus, Liverwort, and Polyanthus, then the garden, nothing done in it as yet except the hot-bed planted. Nine kinds of vegetables were exhibited. Francis Miller showed specimens from his garden - tomato and cabbage plants and radishes large enought to eat. It was proposed that everyone should bring specimens.

Questions. Is it too late to plant [?] grape vines. Answer. No. Should have been done earlier. Q. When is the right time to plant asparagus? A. Any time next month. Q. How should small vegetable seed be planted

A. Early plant on ridges. they are warmer. Cover with [woods] earth. Q. What should be done with weeds in strawberry bed. A. Smother with mulch or pulled out. Q. Beside Locust and Willow what ornamental trees should be planted around a dwelling house. A. Locust should not be left out. Maples, Ash, Linden, Honey Locust, Horse Chestnut, Elm, Tulip Poplar Q. How to raise large onions A. Plant in light rich soil, draw the earth away as they grow Q. Should Vegetables be worked deeply and how. A. Deep small shovel plows Q. When should egg plant seed be planted A. Plant early and pot afterwards Q. Will it pay to start cucumbers on [unrerted sods] A. Better start in hot-beds

Francis Miller had four chickens. Ellen Farquhar eight. Frances Stabler twenty-two. Margaret H. Brooke had four roses in bloom. Frances Stabler July Flower. It was decided that each member might bring any of his or her family that would like to come. Also the hour of meeting should be half past three. Adjourned to meet at Rockland on the 30th of May.

Rockland 5th Mo 14th 1864 [May 14th, 1864]

4th Mo 30th was the regular time for a meeting. It was postponed on account of the illness of Thomas P. Stabler — a friend who has several times met with and given us much assistance and informations, the result of long experience and thorough study of “Practical Horticulture” The meeting was unusually large and very interesting. The hour of meeting was not as nearly as observed as would be disirable. The display of vegetables and flowers was very fine. We were encouraged to give more attention to this is being one of the most interesting parts of our meetings. We were invited to see the garden which had been made second to the cornfield, in direct opposition to the counsels of our society as given at a former meeting. The currant and gooseberry bushes were very full of elegant fruit. A committee was appointed to see the Truck Patch; it reported that things were in a promising state. The orchard which we noticed incidentally was in excellent condition, very full of fruits. The following were the questions asked and answered. Q. Where can sweet potato plants be procured? A. Francis Miller offer to supply the society provided his did well. Q. The best way to raise sweet potatoes? A. Plow furrows four feet apart fill with manure then throw two furrows on this in these ridges make hills two feet apart. Plant early. When the vines begin to run, wind or twist them around. Dig before frost.

Q. How to raise egg plants? A. Plant in rich soil and enrich frequently with much. Q. When should soup beans be planted? A. As soon as there is no danger of frost. Q. Should hot bed covers work on hinges? A. No they should slide. Q. How can washing in gardesn be prevented? A. By having open ditches. Q. Is it too late to take up asparagus? A. Yes. Q. Is it too late to plant asparagus seed? A. They will not come up before next spring Q. If one person should furnish another with turkey eggs, what proportion of the turkeys raised should the latter person keep? A. Great difference of opinion the vote being as follows 1/2, 1/20, 1/20, 1/4, 1/4, 1/3, 1/3, 1, 0 Q. The best way to raise turkeys? A. Keep in coops. Feed on corn or wheat bread, curds mixed with onion tops. Boiled dumplings. Q. Should tomato plants be put in deeply? A. Yes. Q. How may [gasses] be prevented or cured? A. 1. Mix one third sand with [?] meal. 2. one tablespoonful of sulpher to a quart of meal given twice a week. 3. Keep out of grass. 4. Feed regularly. 5. Smoke with tobacco. 6. Give tar water. 7. Assafretida.

Frances Stabler had 100 chickens. M.B. Hall 60. S.B. Farquhar 66