Club Minutes: Horticultural Society, 1929

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CLOVERLY August, 6th. 1929.

The July meetingof the Horticultural Society was held at Brooke Grove. The president, Harry Stabler called the meeting to order at the appointed time, with a large attendance of members and several guests present. The usual order of business followed. The first appointed reader, Bessie Stabler, departed somewhat from the hows and whys of horticulture, and read several articles of timely advice and interest. We must learn the story of progress in all things, domestic& religious, Writers show us that the young people of today are typified by high character, and constructive thought.

Mary Brooke, the second reader gave us the pedigrees of our most used vegetables, and Miss. Mary Gilpin read a most interesting volunteer article.

Forethought told us when to cut, and how to care for cut flowers. Always cut, never break flowers for decoration.

Lillie Stabler the Assistant Secretary, gave account of a fine showing of exhibits. The Highlands showed apples coming and going, and Roseneath had a real tomato, sound and good all over, which for July was unusual. Every home showed groups of interest, and flowers bloomed all around.

The committee appointed to arrange an exhibit this year, had no report, but Anna Farquhar, chairman, asked the committe to be retained.

The report from the Community Council was read, and help asked for by suggestions from the various Societies on where to provide a public dump, and regulations regarding parking at Roadside Markets. No helpful suggestions were made, but appreciation of the work of the Council was expressed.

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Questions.

Cousin Corrie Brooke Asked why snap-dragons have not flourshed, Several other members have had the same experience, but no suggesions were offered. Elza Thomas told of Gladiola left in the ground all winter, being early and beautiful. Fred Thomas is annoyed by very large moles, many members have this perplexing thing to deal with, but it seem impossible to get rid of them.

Several reported trees struck by lightening during the unusual electric storms of the last of June.

How to make grass grow under trees. Trim out the limbs where possible to let the sunlight in. Sow seed on the sod, and when the ground is wet, was a suggestion from Mr. Ray. How much Harn is the Mexican Bean beetle doing. Edgewood reported fine limas. Use of Calcium Magnesium still holds good as a preventative to the beetle.

The annual question when to stop cutting lawns was discussed, Sept. 18 being the date approved by those who have adh experience.

Several reports of rosss being brown. Spray with Calcium Magnesium.

Adjourned to Cloverly, August sixth.

The garden and yard with its halo of age, seemed bathed in sunlight, and nowhere more than at Brooke Grove are the lines of Joyce Kilmer's fullfilled, and remembered, "That Only God can Make a Tree."

Mary M. Nichols Sect

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The Maples August 28th, 1929.

On the afternoon of Aug. 6 The Horticultural Society assembled at Cloverly to be greeted by our hostess and her family in a real Cloverly way. Several guests met with us but the absence of some of the members made the meeting smaller than usual. August is the month of full attendance but the lure of seaside, the mountains, and the broad highways for automobile travel call many of our people hither and yon. In the absence of our chairman, Harry Stabler, and Vice-Chairman, Henry Nichols, Cousin Charlie Brooke took the chair and called the meeting to order at the usual hour, the order of business being followed.

Emma Stabler read a most interesting and amazing story of sky scraper gardening on the roofs of New York apartments, office buildings and factories, making Manhattan a veritable Babalonia n garden of beauty and wonder of the new world. Mary Reading Nichols read also of gardens, telling of one converted from a swamp into a blooming landscape. This noted garden, famed not only for its beauty, but simplicity as well, is situated at the upper end of Centerport Harbor and is one of the show places of Long Island. This garden of Mrs. Charles E. Burling fairly radiates warmth and welcome.

Minus Formality, Alice Stabler volunteered an article on roses which was enjoyed, and suggested the rose as a national flower. This however, is not generally favored as in some localities, the rose is not seen in all its

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beauty. Richard Iddings, another volunteer contributor, told us of the chemistry of corn, how its products seemed almost limitless and so varied. Even the pulp producing the red rubber bath sponge we use in our homes.

Forethought being absent, no report.

Robert Miller, Asst. Secty. reported a varied and abundant exhibit of good quality.

Albert Stabler showed a basket of the old favorite apple, smoke-house and Le Conte pears from the Cedars. Several showed grapes. The vegetables were fine specimens, in spite of the drought and bean beetle. Cornelia Bently and her tenant, Mr. Beale, showed had a basket of Irish Cobbler potatoes that were wonderful specimens, large, perfectly free of scale, sound to the very core.

The report from community council, Mr. Bancroft Secty., was read and our group is most appreciative of the efforts of this council to bring about a better order of neighborhood needs and benefits.

The committee to arrange for a Horticultural exhibit, Anna Farquahr, Chairman, was excused with the wish to try again later.

QUESTIONS. Cornelia Bently asked how to treat a grape vine that was pruned too much and has not recovered. The vine will be examined after the meeting. Her box wood bushes also look sick. Mary Stabler offered the suggestion of keeping the ground stirred under them and applying bone meal. The The red spider infects box wood bushes. Spraying is desirable.

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Cabbage plants are obtainable at a place near Burnt Mills.

Is it too late to plant sweet corn? It will be a venture but there is a chance of a crop. Plant early variety.

When to plant parsnips? Spring planting thought best.

How late to plant peas for a fall crop? Several members have had poor success from a late crop of peas.

When to plant turnips? Now is good time.

What is a good cover crop to plant in a garden? Red clover is suggested and turn it under in the spring.

Cousin Corrie announced a sale of rag rugs at Fairfield. These rugs are beautifully made and recommended by those who have used them.

Adjourned to the Maples on August 28th.

Cloverly has many beauties to those of us who love nature. The view of hills and vallies, trees and growing crops seen from the north porch, is always appealing. The garden with its rows of vegetables and flowers, well kept walks and grass, order & beauty everywhere reminded us of the lines, said so long ago to her class of girls by Caroline Miller of Stanmore:

"Life holds duties and a many braided strand that is only kept from tangle by the skill of a woman's Hand."

Mary M. Nichols, Secty.