y) 80th Anniversary A look back at logged entries of past garden performance by Helen Lang - The Review 82 years ago John Charles Lang, an engineer, arrived on Salt Spring Island, together with his eldest daughter, May. His purpose in coming all the way from Comwyall, England around the Hom, was to make sure that Salt Spring would be a safe place to bring his large family, to escape what he felt sure was an imminent war. He bought land known then as Booth Farm. One year later the whole family arrived, leaving May in England where she had met and martied someone called Edward Wheeler. Can you imagine the anguished parting of that family when one daughter was to be left behind, perhaps never to be seen again? No lovely trans-Atlantic tele- phones in those days! John Charles was an ambitious man, who, after building a house for his family, became a successful farmer, as well as keeping busy with other projects which don’t concem us here. I have a feeling that his four Salt Spring daughters did a lot of heavy work, for which they were ill prepared, having been raised as “ladies” while in their native land. The following are some quotes which reflect his interest in his farm, and gardening in general. They are taken from his journal which he called a “log.” Jim Lang (“himself to many of you) was John Charles’ grandson, and thus has the “log.” It is interesting, and very understandable to note -J.C.’s interest in his family, and their health, there being no antibiotics in those days. But on with the gardening items: 1912 April: Lightheart here grafting. June: Began selling cherries at Ladysmith. Got through harvest with little help. 1913 August: Good fruit crop. Good harvest. Cool summer, on wet side. 1914 August: War declared. Hot, dry summer, good fruit year, bad prices, good health. Twin lambs born Christmas Day. 1915 May 5: First sweet pea out. June 1: First cherries. June 10: First raspberries. Good fruit year, but no market for cher- ties. Very hot, dry summer, and Open weather to third week in December. Snow began to fall December 24th, and continued. Good health for everyone. 1916: Severe winter, much snow, began Christmas Eve. Lasted unul 9th February. Total fall here 3 feet 6 inches. Min frost reading 22 degrees (F) March 20: First swallows noticed Apnil 15-24th: “Honkers”’ passed North. April 27th: Cold, unsettled to this date. October 1: First “honkers”’ passed South. December 19: Freda (his daughter) went to nurse at Restha- ven. Good fruit year, record crop of pears. Fine Autumn. 1917: 12 to 16 inches of snow end of January. April 14: First potatoes in. December: Bad fruit year. 1918: Sold Metz car in March. $150. Bought 2nd hand Ford 10 May. $75. May 10: First Glory Rose. April 27th: First asparagus. Last asparagus June 3. 1,047 heads. June 9: First green pea. - June 26: First raspberry. Splendid fruit year. Fine profit. Noy. 11: Armistice declared. - 1919 April 9: First asparagus and rhubarb. April 25: “honkers”’ passed North. May Ist: First red rose. May 6: Recore cut of asparagus for one day. 142 heads. May 7: Another 90 heads. May 12: Ist Glory rose. May 22: 1st full blown sweet pea. September 26th: First lot of “honkers”” passed South. Moderate fruit year. Good prices. Healthy year. 1920 March 3: First few pota- toes planted. March 17: Ist swallows. April 18: Ist cutting asparagus. April 30: Large lot of “hon- kers” passed North. May 1: Ist red rose. May 2: Ist Glory rose. June 5: First full blown sweet pea. June 28: First day of real sum- mer weather. WHO ARE WE? Fabrics - Gorgeous! CONTRACTING October 16: First “‘honkers” passed South. year. Qne year he reported selling 16 across by barge. I guess farmers in those days Small fruit year. Rain began end tons of pears for $40 atontoajam didn’t have it any easier than they factory in Sidney. They came of August and continued all the do now. © WORKWE AK WORLD Friday Holidays MON - THURS Sunday & 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 5th Street just south of Beacon Sidney HOW DOES YOUR DECORATOR MEASURE UP? “ We have been operating in Sidney for the past eleven years. The new owner/manager of Magic Colour intends to continue to offer first rate products and professional contracting services. WHAT DO WE SELL? Paint - Ames, Glidden and Flecto paints and stains Ceramics - Olympia, Eurotile and Ames Bros. wall and floor ceramics Vinyl Flooring - Armstrong and Mannington Carpeting - Hundreds of samples from Canadian & American manufacturers Venetian and Vertical Blinds - Abbey & LouverDrape Wallpapers - From all over the world WHAT SERVICES DO WE OFFER? Drop in and use our Glidden computer to colour co-ordinate the interior = and exterior of your home. Then take home samples of carpeting, linoleum, ceramic tiles and wallpaper, along with your paint cards to get a “feel” for how it will all go together. If you get befuddled, our on staff interior designer will be happy to offer you free advice either in the convenience of your home or in our store after hours by appointment. SE MAGIC COLOUR $ Our contractors are all professionals who have spent many years developing their skills. Whether it is installing a new floor covering or painting the whole house - why take a chance with amateurs when professionals are available? 9773 Fifth St. Sidney 656-2202 LLL Do SIDNEY’S LEADING COMPLETE HOME DECORATING CENTRE \s