Club Minutes: Horticultural Society, 1907-1917

H/4/1917 -1- 267 Avalon April 11^th 1917 Our first meeting was a week late to please our hostess, and it was better horiculterally, as more seeds had been planted, more flowers had bloomed and more chickens had hatched.

Since out last meeting in October we have lost our dear member Anna F. Brooke. A friend said of her, in reviewing her life, "She seems to have failed in nothing. She was a devoted wife and mother and as a friend could always be depended upon, with far reaching hospitality. She was always ready to share her home and many were in the enjoyment of it. "A Southern woman ne'er drew breath".

The minutes were read and approved

1st Reader, Corrie Brooke, read from "The Independent" The picture of health by R. S. Winters, telling of one of the new moves in North Carolina called "A moving picture of health car". The car travels about in the Rural districts. The Object is to teach the people some of the laws of health by means of pictures and lectures. 2^nd article a poem "The peace-pact" by Edith St. Thomas, the burden of which was

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"There will be no War on the other side" 2^nd Reader Emely Nassey read "The Lawn" grading, dressing, and ferlitizing are essential, with reliable seed. When it is made, properly enriched and planted, mow once a week and in dry weather water thoroughly. A light sprinkling every day accomplishes nothing and only results in drawing the roots to the surface, 2^nd Article, Feeding baby Chicks" Over-feeding in the first few days, probably caused the majority of losses with young chicks, Nature has provided for their maintenance during this period and other little food should be given in the first three days

Volunteer, Frances Stabler gave a lesson in "specializing": a woman who taught her four children to weed her beds by teaching each one a special weed, one pig-weed, one plantain, one sorrel and one chick week. Each goes over the bed and selects her speciality

Forethought-

By request of the Committee, Eliz Brooke, some Hoticultural items will read from the Farm Journal. "In chooseing seed potatoes steer clear of the largest and smallest, A medium sized one is the best by all odds. Hardy climbing roses should not be prunded much; tie up long branches with strips of leather or soft muslin."

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Poultry

694 chickens in 1917, 141 more than in April 1916

Mary T. Kirk sent in her resignation as a member of this Society. It was accepted and she elected an honorary member unanimously.

A. G. Thomas wishes us to apply to the legislature to have the partridge included in the list of song birds which the law protects from hunters and gunners. The propositon met with approval

Exhibits

Flowers from The Cedars, Riverside and Cloverly. Tanglewood, Turnips, parsnips and sweet pea plants Cedar Lawn, Lettuce cabbage plants tomato plants Riverton, Spinach, Kale, Salsify. Edgewood, Celery Innercauld, pumpkin Brooke Grove, celery and lettuce.

Questions

We vistied the garden, a nice level spot. The strawberry bed looked well, Kale bed provided plenty of "greens" Cabbage still in its winter quarters It was too early for many flowers We saw the last crocus. They had been plenty and beautiful in the yard but the late snow finished them.

Next meeting to be at The Highlands

Readers

Ellen Farquhar and Cornelia Bentley

270 H/5/1917 -1The Highlands May 1^st 1917 The minutes of last meeting were approved. 1^st Reader, Ellen Farquhar read how to keep birds from cherries. 2^nd article by Walt Mason, advice against allowing ourselves to have "Blue Mondays"

2^nd Reader, Cornelia Bentley read of a new Park of 30,000 acres of land just across the Hudson River from upper New York City. It is called The Palisades International Park. It cost about 8,000,000 dollars. It has a fine Restaurant and boating and swimming arrangement. It is a well managed and delightful resort 2^nd Article, "A national Campaign for Gardens" Special incouragement for Children's gardens and instruction for home gardening by women. The purpose is to increase food production 3^rd Article "An apple 48 years old." A child stuck an apples full of cloves 48 years ago and has it now. Volunteer E. L. Iddings an article on Mushrooms, strongly advising us not to eat any we do not positively know are harmless.

Forethoughts. Plant seeds for succession of [?] already planted and water-melon and Canteloupe etc

H/5/1917 -2- 271 We are advised to plant more of every kind than ever before, and fight weeds vigoroursly. In the flower garden [Shrubbery?] that has bloomed should be pruned, the bed should be worked and if any plants have to be moved it should be done now and seeds may be planted. Let out Dahlias, Cannas etc. In all our papers we are advised to live simply and economically

Forethoughts advised that we do not have expensive meats at our supper but have some of the various savory sandwichs and simpler relishes"

This advise was highly approved and a committee appointed to consider the subject of "Eats"

Poultry The number of chickens reported was small, 488 from eight families.

Mary T. Kirk sent a letter of thanks that she was made an honorary member

Exhibits were good. Asparagus was fine from six places, Rhubarb from five places. Tomato plants eggplants, corn, bean, pea, pepper, radish, lettuce and celery plants, good in spite of the cold winds and few warm days, The lovely early spring flowers made a fine show

Questions When plant soup beans?